GUIDED BY: PROF VIJAY MATAI JAHNAVI BHATT (02) NAYRUTI MISTRY (10) AASHKA PATEL (17) SAMVIDA RAI (24) WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY? Biomimicry or biomimetics is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. ‘From my designer’s perspective, I ask: Why can’t I design a building like a tree? A building that makes oxygen, fixes nitrogen, sequesters carbon, distils water, builds soil, accrues solar energy as fuel, makes complex sugars and food, creates microclimates, changes colours with the seasons and self replicates. This is using nature as a model and a mentor, not as an inconvenience. It’s a delightful prospect…’ (McDonough and Braungart, 1998) BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE Biomimetic architecture is a contemporary philosophy of architecture that seeks solutions for sustainability in nature, not by replicating the natural forms, but by understanding the rules governing those forms. It is a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainable design that follows a set of principles rather than stylistic codes. It is part of a larger movement known as biomimicry, which is the examination of nature, its models, systems, and processes for the purpose of gaining inspiration in order to solve man-made problems. Biomorphism. Greeks and Romans. originated possibly with the beginning of man-made environments and remains present today. Late Antique and Byzantine. He used columns that modeled the branching canopies of trees to solve statics problems in supporting the vault.natural motifs into design such as the tree-inspired columns.arabesque tendrils are stylized versions of the acanthus plant. or the incorporation of natural existing elements as inspiration in design. . architects have looked to nature for inspiration for building forms and approaches to decoration.HISTORY Throughout history. The Sagrada Família church by Antoni Gaudi begun in 1882 is a well-known example of using nature’s functional forms to answer a structural problem. in which Eero Saarinen used biomorphic forms to capture the poetry of flight Burdock burr were the source of inspiration for George de Mestral – the Swiss engineer who invented Velcro. Apparently after some recent frustration with zips. while they create a spectacular space. after studying them with a magnifying glass.The TWA terminal at John F Kennedy Airport. New York. designed the first version of the now ubiquitous fastening Frank Lloyd Wright likened the columns in the Johnson Wax building to water lilies and. he noticed the way that burdock burrs clung to his dog’s coat and. they have nothing functionally in common with lily leaves Le Corbusier appears to have made deliberate reference to the cleansing function of kidneys in the design of the washrooms for the inbuilt Olivetti Headquarters project . • The chassis and structure of the car are also biomimetic. behavior or function in an organism or ecosystem and translating that into human designs. Defining a human need or design problem and looking to the ways other organisms or ecosystems solve this.APPROACHES TO BIOMIMICRY Approaches to biomimicry as a design process typically fall into two categories: 1. referred to as biology influencing design 1. having been designed using a computer modeling method based upon how trees are able to grow in a way that minimizes stress concentrations. Identifying a particular characteristic. With a limited scientific understanding however. as material is allocated only to the places where it is most needed . • The resulting structure looks almost skeletal. DESIGN LOOKING TO BIOLOGY BIONIC CAR • The approach where designers look to the living world for solutions requires designers to identify problems and biologists to then match these to organisms that have solved similar issues. small wheel base car. the design for the car was based on the boxfish (ostracion meleagris). a surprisingly aerodynamic fish given its box like shape. • Biological analogues are matched with human identified design problems but the issue of how buildings relate to each other and the ecosystems they are part of is not examined. termed here design looking to biology 2. BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER DISADVANTAGE: Designers are able to research potential biomimetic solutions without an in depth scientific understanding or even collaboration with a biologist or ecologist if they are able to observe organisms or ecosystems or are able to access available biological research. translation of such biological knowledge to a human design setting has the potential to remain at a shallow level. • In looking to create a large volume. Biologists and ecologists must therefore be able to recognize the potential of their research in the creation of novel applications. . LOTUSAN PAINT BY STO The scientific analysis of the lotus flower emerging clean from swampy waters. the collaborative design process is initially dependant on people having knowledge of relevant biological or ecological research rather than on determined human design problems. DISADVANTAGE: Biological research must be conducted and then identified as relevant to a design context. ADVANTAGE: Biology may influence humans in ways that might be outside a predetermined design problem. BIOLOGY INFLUENCING DESIGN When biological knowledge influences human design.2. which led to many design innovations like Sto’s Lotusan paint which enables buildings to be self cleaning. resulting in previously unthought-of technologies or systems or even approaches to design solutions. THREE LEVELS OF BIOMIMICRY ORGANISM BEHAVIOUR ECOSYSTEM . as organisms are a part of an ecosystem. Those organisms that remain on Earth now have the survival mechanisms that have withstood and adapted to constant changes over time. Inspired by the beetle. Matthew Parkes of KSS Architects’ biomimicry at the organism level. stenocara. Surface of the beetle has been studied and mimicked to be used for other potential applications such as to clear fog from airport runways and improve dehumidification equipment. MATTHEW PARKES’ HYDROLOGICAL CENTER • • • • • • Mimicking of the Namibian desert beetle. the architecture looks to the organism itself. It is able to capture moisture however from the swift moving fog that moves over the desert by tilting its body into the wind.ORGANISM LEVEL • • • • Species of living organisms have typically been evolving for millions of years. applying its form and/or functions to a building. Functions and responses to a larger context have to be kept in mind too. The beetle lives in a desert with negligible rainfall. proposed fog-catcher design for the Hydrological Center for the University of Namibia. On the organism level. . .BEHAVIOUR LEVEL • • Buildings mimic how an organism behaves or relates to its larger context. a building mimics the natural process and cycle of the greater environment. but its behaviour. • • • • For example. mimicking the social structure of termite colonies would not be suitable however if universal human rights are valued. Not all organisms exhibit behaviours that are suitable for humans to mimic The danger exists that models of consumption or exploitation could be justified on the basis of how another species behaves. Behaviour level mimicry requires ethical decisions to be made about the suitability of what is being mimicked for the human context. On the level of the ecosystem. mimicking the building behaviour (and outcome of that) of termites might be appropriate for the creation of passively regulated thermally comfortable buildings. • • Not the organism itself that is mimicked. But. As the wind blows. Termite mounds include flues which vent through the top and sides. Zimbabwe. . hot air from the main chambers below ground is drawn out of the structure. however. does not have to look like a termite mound to function like one and instead aesthetically draws from indigenous Zimbabwean masonry. The structure. and the mound itself is designed to catch the breeze.EASTGATE CENTRE • • • • Large office and shopping complex in Harare. The building has no air-conditioning or heating. To minimize potential costs of regulating the building’s inner temperature. helped by termites opening or blocking tunnels to control air flow. looked to the selfcooling mounds of African termites. The functional processes silently at work are inspired by the way cacti sustain themselves in a dry.THE QATAR CACTI BUILDING • • • • Uses the cactus’s relationship to its environment as a model for building in the desert. scorching climate. The project reaches out to the ecosystem level in its adjoining botanical dome whose wastewater management system follows processes that conserve water and has minimum waste outputs. Sun shades on the windows open and close in response to heat. just as the cactus undergoes transpiration at night rather than during the day to retain water. . Ecosystem principles follow that ecosystems are dependent on contemporary sunlight. • METAPHORIC LEVEL . relationships and information. ADVANTAGE . are diverse in components.potential positive effects on overall environmental performance.ECOSYSTEM LEVEL • • (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Building mimics the natural process and cycle of the greater environment. Essentially. and adapt and evolve at different levels and at different rates. optimize the system rather than its components. .in-depth understanding of ecology drives the design of a built environment that is able to participate in the major biogeochemical material cycles of the planet . this means that a number of components and processes make up an ecosystem and they must work with each other rather than against in order for the ecosystem to run smoothly. create conditions favorable to sustained life. are attuned to and dependent on local conditions. • Operates at both metaphoric level and at a practical functional level. • FUNCTIONAL LEVEL .general ecosystem principles (based on how most ecosystems work) are able to be applied by designers with little specific ecological knowledge. THE SAHARA FOREST PROJECT . LAVASA • • • • • 8000-acre city planned for a region of India subject to monsoon flooding. The strategy to move excess water through channels is borrowed from local harvester ants. . Site’s original ecosystem was a moist deciduous forest before it had become an arid landscape. which use multi-path channels to divert water away from their nests. City rooftops mimic the banyan fig leaf looking to its drip-tip system that allows water to run off while simultaneously cleaning its surface. the building foundations were designed to store water like the former trees did. In response to the season flooding. as a basis for design at all scales including construction materials and methods. preferring shapes and forms inspired by living creatures and natural constructions to standard rectilinear designs.EUGENE TSUI Eugene Tsui is an architect based in California. through an interdisciplinary approach. . analyze and implement the workings of natural phenomena. Tsui is perhaps the first architect/designer in history to profoundly study. Tsui specializes in nature-influenced architecture. “OJA DEL SOL YEN” The Oja Del Sol Yen in California is the residence of the Tsui Family. It implements the evolutionary practices of nature as a synthesis of a billion years of evolution applied to immediate needs and circumstances of form. which are a minor phyla of microscopic invertebrates also named water bears. Designed by Eugene Tsui. • They can survive extreme of droughts and temperature even down to absolute zero and live for almost a century. FORM • The form is abstracted form the morphology of Tardigrade. • Tsui draws the geometry of the Tardigrades carapace (shell) – elliptical in plan with upper parabolic and lower catenary curves in section. function and purpose. . • Have 4 pairs of stumpy legs but are most closely related to certain worms. ( Lateral rigidity) • The upper floor level trusses are modeled after a seagull's bone marrow to create an overhead truss system.• The roof comprises of a series of sprayed concrete parabolic arches supported on stressed wooden frames. minimizing material usage and making it light weight and strong. • The continuous ellipse wall forms an extremely durable shell. . It can with stand extreme shocks such as earthquakes. STRUCTURE • The structural system is of recycled Styrofoam and cement blocks reinforced with steel and light weight concrete. Over the entrance(north). . Subsurface solar air tubes are positioned on the roof which covers much of the upper level of the house. THERMAL REGULATION Conceived by study of the bone and capillary structures of Dinosaurs. warmed by sun rays. further aiding in the resistance to lateral turnover forces produced by strong earthquakes.COEXISTANCE WITH NATURAL FORCES The exterior walls are angled inward at 4 degrees to create a compressive structure with a low centre of gravity. The sail like plate structures are surrounded by densely packed configured blood vessels. aiding passive solar heating. there is a laminar projection which also contains subsurface solar air tubes that are heated throughout the day and the stored heat is radiated back in the interiors at night. regulate the body temperature. FORM • The solarium is roofed with a pair of 6mt long translucent fiber glass wings like those of dragonfly.REYES HOUSE The Reyes House is residence in Oakland deigned by Eugene Tsui. The building is dynamic and responds the changing environment to maintain interior conditions. the structure stimulates a giant insect/fly flapping its wings. . •They open and close responding to the exterior environment to create a comfortable microclimate. •From the outside. wood and stone structure shaped into a truncated cone with winged roof the opens and closes with the turn of a crank. tornados and hurricanes.STRUCTURE • The solarium is a glass. • The conical structure can resist and dissipate the overturning forces. • The dragonfly wing structure consist of primary rigid elements at periphery and secondary cross bracings at the interior. the Reyes House has efficient resistance to earthquakes. COEXISTANCE WITH NATURAL FORCES • The conical shape from the Barnacle is one of the strongest shapes found in nature and can resist shocks. organism that fixes itself to the rocks on the sea shores. . lowering the center of gravity. • The overturning forces are avoided due to its shape. • Curvilinear forms that are used are much more resistant because of their resistance to tangential forces and they also use less materials. Thus. • The conical structure is interpreted from Barnacle. • The conical form is also very efficient in cooling as the rising hot air is quickly funneled out of the space. SOME OTHER EXAMPLES WILSON RESIDENCE ULTIMA TOWER .THERMAL REGULATION • The opening roof allows cool air and sunlight to enter the room directly and maintains a comfortable temperature. • Used of light weight material. .INTERPRETATION •Adapt ideas from natural organisms that have evolved responses to resource-constrained environments. APPROACH •Self sustained. light weight structures.MICHAEL PAWLYN BIOMIMICRY. •Use of various by-products as building material. •Dragon fly wing – An element to interpret organism •The hexagonal pattern of biomes reflects to the hexagonal impression of dragonfly wing.ENGLAND •Largest botanical garden in the world •Combines ecology. art and architecture. horticulture. NATURAL APPROACH WATER ALLOWED TO PERCOLATE INTO HOT ROCKS WATER HEATED UPTO 150 deg •Spare heat used to heat the nearby buildings HEATED BROUGHT BACK TO SURFACE RETURNED AIR CONVERTED INTO ELECTRICITY THROUGH HEAT EXCHANGERS . INSPIRATIONAL APPROACH GEODISC DOMES AS BIOMES •Organism used as an approach to biomimicry in architecture. •The challenge for this project was to design buildings that provide the environment to create different microclimates. science.THE EDEN PROJECT. DESIGN CONSIDERATION •Uninterrupted ground space needed on ever changing ground surface of clay pit. •Need of maximum sunlight for greenhouse effect. •WEB LIKE STRUCTURE WHICH CAN STAND BY ITSELF . •Need for a self maintained and cleaning structure. •light weight structure. •Need of maximum sunlight for greenhouse effect. • light weight structure. •Need for self sustained stable structure. •Need for a self maintained and cleaning structure. •Geodesic dome considered to be the best self sustaining form. •Dragonfly wing used as interpretation for hexagonal form. STRUCTURE •Dome shaped Hexagon membrane considered to be the most stable geometric shape •Use of Geodesic dome shaped membrane. •The hexagonal pattern of biomes reflects to the hexagonal impression of dragonfly wing. •Light weight steel framing•weight of structure <the air contained in structure •ETFE membrane having weight less than glass and more light.FORM •Nature inspired the supremely efficient structural form. Light weight structure less use of steel More light structure Less energy consumption Weight less than that of contained air inside structure . •One of the lightest structures •a building that is largely self-heating using passive solar design principles. INSPIRATIONAL APPROACH •NAMBIAN desert beetle used as an inspirational approach.THE SAHARA FOREST PROJECT •Main aim of project was to intervene at the forest and desert boundaries to reverse desertification •Green house that rely on solar energy only. •Zero waste system •Project works on ecosystem level with some cyclical system. •PRINCIPLE BEETLE’s ability to self-regulate its body temperature by accumulating heat by day and to collect water droplets that form on its wings. USE OF TECHNOLOGY Two methods are used for humidification in arid zones like Sahara desert: •Concentrated solar power system •Seawater green house . MIRROR REFLECTANCE AND FOCUSING ON BOILERS HEATING UPTO 1000 F. heating it to over 1. STEAM GENERATION ENERGY PRODUCED BY TURBINES SEAWATER GREEN HOUSE SEAWATER HEATED BY SUNRAYS EVAPORATION COOLS DOWN FOR CLOUD FORMATION RETURNS IN FORM OF RAINFALL .CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER SYSTEM Utilizes thousands of mirrors to focus sunlight upon a water boiler. which in turn drives a turbine to produce energy. This generates steam.000 Fahrenheit. Margaret McKosky BIOMIMICRY IN ARCHITECTURE BY . WEBSITES – www.Michael Pawlyn THESIS - AN EXPLORATION INTO BIOMIMICRY AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE DIGITAL AND PARAMETRIC (ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN) BIOMIMICRY AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN.com www.REFRENCES BOOK - BIOMIMICRY By .Sakthivel Ramaswamy GRAPHIC DESIGN + BIOMIMICRY By .com www.eugenetsui.com .archdaily.com www.exploration-architecture.wikipedia.