Biomimicry
Biomimicry
Biomimicry
Biomimicry
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
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1. Introduction
Sustainable buildings have dominated the design field in recent years. According to
generating more vitality and freshwater than is required, as opposed to utilizing nonrenewable
resources (Othmani et al., 2022). During the 20th century, architects started to create sustainable
architecture. Some of the concepts that emerged during this period include energy-efficient
architecture, carbon neutral architecture, and bioclimatic architecture. The last concept, which
aims to address the environment through regenerative architecture, was also started.
Throughout history, people have been drawn to the relationship between nature and
design. Nature has become a source of inspiration for mankind, and its structures and forms have
been used in the design of many aspects of human life. However, designers have not always
understood the behavior of the natural world. This is largely due to designing living spaces often
viewing nature as an obstacle and sometimes as an insignificant element in the design process
traditional understanding of how nature should be applied to architecture. The holistic approach
in ecological architecture consists of designing by imitating nature (Yetkin, n.d.), which has been
one of the methods that designers have been using for hundreds of years.
The influence of nature has become a key component of the green movement. Some of its
traits include circularity, benevolence, and self-control, eco-efficiency, zero waste, order, energy
efficiency. Modern schools of thought that are focused on these topics include eco-design,
biotecture, biomimicry, industrial ecology, and sustainable product design (Skene, 2021).
The idea of learning from nature is one of the core principles behind a lot of sustainable
development concepts such as bionics, biomimetics, biomimics, bio design, biomechanics, and
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organic design (Charkas, 2019). Considering the fact that every living creature has a unique way
of dealing with their environmental issues, designers are encouraged to study and imitate nature
Since the 1990s, biomimetics (in the form of biomimicry) began to be associated with the
'green' movement and has gained increasing scientific interest, as well as an increase in the
number of patents that reference this field (Bonser & Vincent, 2007). Through biomimicry,
architects can apply principles of natural design to solve human problems by analyzing natural
designs, processes, and systems. The goal of biomimicry is to develop solutions that are inspired
by the principles of natural design. This method is a new science that studies the relationship
between nature and design to help solve human problems (Othmani et al., 2022). The
environmental and climate issues (Djoko Istiadji et al., 2018). According to Vincent et al.,
that it is similar to the term biologically inspired design (Vincent et al., 2006). Various fields,
such as medicine, engineering, and architecture, have started to accept the concepts of bio
design, biomechanics, and bionics. As a result, designers can develop a variety of creative
solutions using these tools. (Yetkin, n.d.). Throughout the literature, biomimetics and
biomimicry are defined in various ways, both in the popular and scientific domains.
This paper explores the history of biomimicry, which involves taking advantage of the
ideas of nature to learn from and mimic the strategies used by species alive. The aim of this is
not only to learn from nature's wisdom, but to put these ideas into practice in the real world. The
use of biomimicry can be applied to the development of new products, processes, and systems, as
well as to the improvement of current ones. By shifting our perspective, it can shed light on
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many design problems and objectives from different perspectives, and uncover "creative"
2. Methodology
The goal of this study was to collect and analyze data from various sources, such as
scientific papers, online documents, books and publications of different researchers. The study
will be a critical review of the literature to determine what different authors have written about
biomimicry and its application in architecture. Most of synthesis studies analyze recent articles to
identify the latest trends and findings on a topic. However, this study will also analyze past
The study will not only focus on the findings of the studies in the literature, but also their
similarities and differences. A critical analysis should identify the gaps in the literature to help
this study will identify gaps that future studies need to fill.
3. Literature Review
One of the most important factors that a built environment must consider when it comes
to its design is the use of high-level functionality. This can be achieved through the use of
biomimicry in the selection of materials. Besides being able to understand complex systems, the
importance of considering the individual aspects can also improve a building's overall function.
Nature has created systems and structures that can grow and remain stable, and these have been
developed using natural processes (Jamei & Vrcelj, 2021b). A biomimetic material replicates the
properties of a living organism in more than one way. Some examples of these properties are:
Lotus leaves that have special surface topographies that allow self-cleaning, gecko feet
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employing a hierarchical structure enabling them to scale walls through dry adhesion, beautiful
colors of butterflies realized by their microstructure interacting with light, and the fibrous
structure of many plants leading them to self-deform with changes in humidity (Wang et al.,
2020). When it comes to building, consideration has to be given to certain materials' availability
and the development of a structure that can be used in various ways based on its functionality.
Examples of such structures include the shells of seashells and palm varieties (Jamei & Vrcelj,
2021b). There are several functional properties of biological materials such as ability to endure
the effects of environmental conditions and low toxicity (Cui et al., 2019). These have inspired
The architect Zaha Hadid has included biomimicry in her style of design and architecture
with her work on the Bergisel Ski Jump in Austria. This project was based on skeletal growth
and formation, as well as the double curved surface to make an overall ‘biomorphic’ structure.
Hadid is known for her use of organic shapes and forms in her work, but she also looked at how
various different types of trees cope with their environment - especially when it comes to moving
around freely. Although this project is an example of biomimicry, it’s not the only way Zaha
Hadid incorporates natural elements in her work. Plants and trees are also used as inspiration for
curves in her work, for example, the ‘marble comes from a slab of polished marble which has
been folded in half. A crease that runs through the middle becomes a fold created by two
surfaces folding back on themselves. The crease line on the folded area is extended to become
Biomimicry is the idea of imitating nature, mainly in order to give buildings and other manmade
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structures a more organic appearance. It looks to natural ecosystems and elements in the
environment in order to create an efficient, sustainable building. An example of this can be seen
in the ‘Goodman’s Field School’ in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. This building was designed to be
naturally air-conditioned by looking at cooling properties of shade trees and ponds - which then
inspired a series of terraces that shade and cool the building. However, there is one major issue
with biomimicry - its lack of support from the architectural industry. Essentially, biomimicry
can’t help but treat nature as a way to come up with ideas to create buildings - rather than using
pioneers have looked to biological structures for inspiration and have produced materials that can
range from soft and squishy to hard, depending on the needs of the product. Many of these
biomimetic materials are inspired by nature, such as the structure of an octopus’s suction cups or
a spider’s web. Biomimicry is often used by those with common access to natural resources; it
has become more popular in recent years in response to environmental damage caused by
humanity. Biomimicry is not limited to materials; it also takes inspiration from nature in
architecture, design and manufacturing processes. In its basic form biomimetics seeks to find
Ozyegin et al. (2012) wrote a paper in which they described the development of a soft
material inspired by the shell of a sea snail. The idea was to create a soft, flexible material that
could be used for soft robotics. The material is produced by chemically assembling microscopic
cylinders with diameters of about 5 µm and lengths of about 120 µm. These microtubes are then
cross-linked to form a soft material that can be manipulated into various shapes. After the
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crosslinking is performed, the soft material can be cut in any shape that may not be possible
before crosslinking. The cross-linked microtubes are coated with polyvinyl alcohol and glycerol,
which makes them water soluble. After the coated microtubes are dissolved in water, the
remaining material is then dried to create a soft material that can be manipulated into any shape.
Currently there are very few biomimetic materials. Most of today’s biomimetic materials,
including this sea snail inspired material, are designed for specific purposes. The sea snail
inspired material was designed for soft robotics so that it could be used for a wide range of
applications as well as making possible manufacturing methods difficult to use on other types of
products. This is because the material can be manipulated into a wide variety of shapes,
depending on the needs of the application. This makes it easier to create products that have
multiple functions or that can be formed into a flexible shape. The biomimetic material is not
limited to soft robotics; it has been used in clothing and other products that adapt to their
environment.
Bioinspired materials can be categorized into four: (1) smart materials that change and
react in response to external factors; (2) materials with innovative surface structures and
enhanced functions; (3) bio-inspired materials that focus on advanced geometries and structural
configurations; and (4) technologies that improve existing systems by integrating specific
adaption strategies (Ahamed et al., 2022a). Smart materials can alter certain parameters and
environmental conditions (Faragalla & Asadi, 2022). For example, solar panels and reactive
textiles are synthetic materials inspired by the shape-changing materials in plants (Imani et al.,
2018). They are capable of being used in a variety of applications in architecture, either as
Smart materials can be subdivided into two sections: chemical stimuli and physical
stimuli (Lurie-Luke, 2014). For chemical stimuli, the specific receptor of a material detects and
promotes highly-specific internal response. Common biomimetic applications are for Ph changes
and metalion components of smart materials (Zarzar et al., 2011; Greene et al., 2008).
Meanwhile, physical stimuli can range anywhere from heat to light and water content (Akeiber et
al., 2016). Sustainable buildings should be able to respond to different types of stimuli.
surface structures, and improved functions (Vignolini & Bruns, 2018). According to Lurie-Luke
(2014) and Al-Obaidi et al. (2017), this includes materials with anti-reflective and repellant
plants possess highly hydrophobic surfaces that allow water to easily run over the leave
epidermis through a waxy cuticle (Hanaei et al., 2016). Moreover, the ability of geckos to stick
to different surfaces and break free easily also gives insights into well-built joints in architectural
design. A gecko footpad has nanoscale, microscale and filamentous structures that can interact
with any given substrate (Hayes et al., 2020). Similar concepts can be adopted in design to build
The third category is bio-inspired materials that focus on advanced geometries and
structural configurations (Ahamed et al., 2022b). This type of material architectures are made of
natural exoskeletons and endoskeletons (Vignolini & Bruns, 2018). These materials can be used
in the early stages of a project's development to create new and interesting architectural features.
Natural structural adaptations allow for the construction of lightweight structures, such as the
two-layer beetle elytra, which maintain structural integrity through a series of interconnecting
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components (Kolle et al., 2013). Moreover, new nano-scale structures have been made by
Materials with technologies for targeted applications are the fourth category, and
represent one of the largest areas of biomimicry implementation (Ahamed et al., 2022b). The
materials are known to increase robotics and vehicle movement efficiency, and even help in the
development of new types of transport (Iqbal & Khan, 2017). Mimicking provides insights into
This section explores the various types of natural materials that can adapt to the
environment and provide various functional features. Some examples of these include functional
surfaces that can be used by animals and plants (Ahamed et al., 2022a). Although many things
can be inspired by nature, there are two general types: extrapolation and duplication.
Extrapolation is when an architect or designer tries to figure out how a structure that already
exists functions. Duplication is when someone looks to nature for a basic function and then tries
to copy the same thing. It’s important to note that both types of mimicry are not unheard of, even
though most are frowned upon today. Mimicking a natural structure can be either an inspiration
nautilus shells and invented by Frei Otto for the Olympic Stadium in Munich. This type of shape
was originally thought to be only capable of supporting its own internal weight. However, Otto
found a way to use the shape’s natural strength to support its external weight. This reduced the
stress on the structure and made it possible for it to be used as a roof. This was a major
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development in lightweight building materials because modern architecture had been focusing on
In an opposite approach, duplication has been used in architecture since ancient times.
Imitation architecture is one of the first types of mimicry that people began doing in ancient
civilizations (Harkness, 2012). In the past, mimicry has been used as a means of decoration.
Ancient Romans, for example, copied natural stone formations such as columns and megaliths
(Knippers & Speck, 2012). This imitation architectural style may have helped ancient
civilizations to survive by making their cities seem more like real ones. Another example of
imitation is the Greek Doric column found in many ancient architecture designs. It was inspired
5. Touch and vibration sensitivity, folds Mimosa pudica (Sensitive plant) and leaves of
inwards as a reaction to contact Mimosa pudica
6. Oriented and folded based on Leucaena leucocephala (White leadtree) and
temperature sensitivity Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Leaf)
7. Change temperature levels passively Salvia oficinalis (Sage) and Kalanchoe Pumila
(Dwarf purple kalanchoe)
8. Water-use efficiency Echeveria Glauca is an example of a CAM
plant
9. Reflect sunlight from hairy surfaces Hairy leaves of Gynandriris Setifolia
Source: (Ahamed et al., 2022a)
Table 1 indicates how various types of materials are inspired by nature, mainly by
mimicking plants animals and plants. For instance, surfaces for anti-wear mimic the corrugated
surface of a beetle's scaly heel to minimize slippage (Ahamed et al., 2022a). There are two
theories on how the surface of dung beetles' feet evolved to be so resistant to sliding. One theory
is that it has something to do with moulds and fungi; another theory is that it has something to do
with rain and mud (Scholtz et al., 2009). Both theories are incomplete and have to be combined
to learn more about the surfaces of dung beetles' feet. Therefore, architects mimicking the dung
beetle in the design of functional surfaces should be aware of the existing gaps in the literature
Surfaces for super hydrophobicity are inspired by water strider and Parnassus butterfly
wing (Ahamed et al., 2022a). Super hydrophobic surfaces are generally rough, consisting of
can be characterized by contact angle. This is the angle at which a liquid droplet rests on a solid
surface, with the liquid not in direct contact with the solid surface below. Water typically has a
contact angle of about 120 degrees, but super hydrophobic coatings can have a contact angle of
150 degrees or more (Andrews et al., 2011). Super hydrophobic surfaces are useful because they
direct water droplets to drip off rather than collect on them and cause flooding.
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Surfaces acting as smart adhesives are inspired by Geckos and soil-burrowing animals.
The creatures that inspired these surfaces have tiny hairs that they use to cling to and release
from the surface they are crawling or climbing on, which is how it gives them their stickiness. A
Gecko’s adhesive is so strong it can hold a human without breaking. Architects can use this
knowledge to design surfaces acting as adhesives and transferring forces from one surface to
another.
Nature is one of the most efficient systems on earth. Yet it's now being mimicked by
humans and modified in new ways to create more sustainable, greener technologies and systems
(Uchiyama et al., 2020). Biomimicry is the source of inspiration for those who want to go green
but may not know where to start. When a leaf bends in the wind, for example, it's not just a
simple reflex; instead it allows gas exchange between the photosynthesis and respiration process
(Stein & Walsh, 2001). The same is true for the wings of birds, and even human hands.
In the process of optimizing structures, biomimicry can be used in three different ways:
customized/freeform, simulation-driven, and lattice design. These three methods can be used
together to create a complete design. For instance, a lattice can be integrated into a freeform
design process (du Plessis et al., 2019). The design of the lattices can be incorporated into a
variety of processes, such as freeform and simulation design processes. It is possible to use any
of these approaches with or without direct input from nature (Thompson et al., 2016), with
According to Ozyegin et al. (2012), customized and freeform design methods involve
manipulation of curved surfaces. These are commonly used to create unique and custom designs
that can be utilized in a specific application (Knippers & Speck, 2012). Examples include:
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customized implants intended to mimic the bone shape directly for replacement, tree-like support
structures, nervous system-inspired shading or hierarchical networks that branch and merge
constantly.
Simulation-driven design is one of the most promising techniques for designing light-
weight structures. This process is commonly referred to as structural optimization. In this case,
optimize the required material distributions or stiffnesses for a given load case (Orme et al.,
management) that are analogous to human engineered systems and/or created to solve specific
Complex biological structures can function efficiently to fulfill certain functions depending
on their environment and the constraints imposed by an organism. Learning from these structures
can help improve the efficiency of buildings. According to Lurie-Luke (2014), the structural
elements of natural structures are classified based on the elements they are made of, such as
beam or surface, and whether they occur internally or externally to the shape. This can be
In order to develop effective solutions, environmental scientists and engineers have tried
to mimic the designs and forms of natural structures and achieve reasonable solutions (higher
strength or fewer resources required) that address environmental and sustainability issues
(Naboni & Paoletti, 2015. They then utilized these findings to solve practical structural
problems. For instance, the Pantheon in Rome's roof was able to gain its strength by imitating the
shape of a seashell (Oguntona & Aigbavboa, 2017; Yiatros et al., 2007). The roof of the
Pantheon is made of a multi-dimensional curved surface, which allows it to gain its strength
without requiring additional reinforcement. This structural design makes it lighter than standard
reinforced concrete spanning structures. (Ming HU, n.d.). Another example is the supporting
system of the human body that includes hundreds of bones and ligaments. This structure inspired
engineers to reduce the impact of a building's load. In 1889, French structural engineer Gustave
Eiffel was inspired by this concept to design the Eiffel Tower. The main application is the lattice
structure of the studs and braces seen in the Eiffel Tower base in the figure below:
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The structural design of the Sydney Opera House’s suspension structures is similar to
spider webs. Like cell walls, membrane structures such as stadium canopies and roofs gain
strength through constant tension (Lee, 2010). The World Trade Center took was inspired by the
structural organization of bamboo and created a structure that scales its resilience using a
deliberate form. The stems of bamboo are divided into internodes using the diaphragm. The
nodes are located outside the diaphragm creating a mark where the new growth can occur. The
small diameter change occurs at nodes located at the bottom, middle, or top (Lee, 2010). The
sandwich components in honeycomb are rigidly joined together using a core-to–skin adhesive to
create a cohesive whole. This type of structure offers various advantages, such as its low weight
and high rigidity and stability compared to usual materials. The structural integrity of the
honeycomb structure can be likened to earthquake. Its walls are designed to absorb vibrations
that could cause damaging (Hexcel Composites, 2000). Based on the types of applications,
nature-inspired materials for the construction industry can be found in various forms. A
summary of bio-inspired materials and structures has been outlined in Table 1. Here, bio-inspired
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building materials and structures have been listed with their natural sources, mimicked features
Envelop-wise is an interactive guide for building certified energy efficient homes. The
construction of these homes can improve the health and well-being of the family living in it
(Harkness, 2012). These homes are also less expensive to build, have a longer life span, and offer
better resale value than traditional models. More importantly, they meet new rules from state and
local governments that require more energy efficient builds (Knippers & Speck, 2012). Lighting,
HVAC and electric installations are crucial considerations that must be taken into account
According to Stein and Walsh (2001), many new developments have mandatory energy-
efficient requirements that can add years to the design and construction process. Energy
efficiency requirements vary by jurisdiction; some regions have no mandate while others require
stringent energy-efficient criteria. Choosing a local building inspector is the best way to ensure
The building envelope is a component of the building's overall interface with the
environment, acting as a bridge between the building's occupants and the elements. Many
projects were inspired by the study nature behavior, and they attempt to address the varying
environmental conditions found in the different sites, while still providing a sustainable living
environment. (Ming HU, n.d.). Living organisms have unique integration geometries and
techniques that enable them to adapt themselves to harsh-diverse environments easily (Vignolini
et al., 2018). Similarly, buildings nowadays use specific methods to adapt well to their
surrounding environments and minimize the adverse impact on the environment. Designing the
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building envelope is among the important methods. The building envelope, also known as the
third skin, is ‘an extended buffer between the building and the exterior environment’ (Ciampi et
al., 2021). It should be carefully designed to ensure the comfort of those occupying a given
building.
The building envelope plays the main role in controlling energy consumption in buildings
and maintains internal comfort (Barbosa & Ip, 2014). Conventionally, a building envelope has
been considered a thermal barrier to prevent heat loss or shade to control solar gain (Liu et al.,
2017). Examples can be seen in the patterns inspired by nature in Masdar city, Mashrabya
House, and adaptive skin response to the environmental conditions in Al Bahar towers and the
Arab Cultural Institute (el Semary et al., 2017). The building envelope acts as a bridge between
the internal and external environments, transferring heat between buildings and their
surroundings via conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation (Peeks & Badarnah, 2021).
sustainability of a building.
architectural and urban design and scaling up of materials. According to Uchiyama et al. (2020),
the use of biomimetics to architectural design involves mimicking parts of various organisms,
including their form and surface structure. In urban design, biomimetics involves the mimicking
of entire ecosystems. However, the researchers found a gap in the literature requiring further
research on biomimetic application in architectural and urban design, mainly in Biophilia and
material. According to Ahamed et al. (2022b), nature provides numerous examples of resilient
materials and structures optimized with topologies and morphologies to achieve properties and
options for the construction industry. Some of the applications are in bacteria-enhanced
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multiple forms of building envelopes. Adaptation of plants to their environment occurs in three
depending on their particular environment, and enables better functionality for survival.
An example is the hairy leaves of Gy-nandriris setifolia (Fig. 3a). Sunlight from their surface,
homeostasis. Some plants use CAM photo-synthesis, such as the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism.
They adapt to arid conditions that provide increased efficiency in their use of water. An example
is Echeveria Glauca (Fig. 3b) (Ezcurra, 2006). Behavioral adaptation relates to how an
organism acts or the action it takes for survival. This type of adaptation is linked to a signal
feedback system of signal and response, where behavior marks an interaction between the
organism and its environment (El-Rahman et al., 2020). Some leaves close under various stimuli,
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such as Mimosa pudica (Fig. 3c), which folds in ward as a reaction to contact (Fig. 3b).
Knippers and Speck (2012) categorized adaptive natural materials of architectural systems into
four main principles: (1) heterogeneity, classified by the local adaptation of physical or chemical
the principle of anisotropic fiber reinforcements; (3) hierarchy, categorized based on hierarchical
(4) multifunctionality classified based on either the integration of functions into a single element
Back when buildings only had to worry about exterior surfaces and the occasional
chimney, slapping on a layer of insulation was one of the main ways architects improved their
performance (Harkness, 2012). These days, with heating and cooling technologies that come in
many forms, shapes, and sizes (think hydronic heat pumps and natural gas fired heating), the art
of designing an efficient envelope has become much more nuanced (Ozyegin et al., 2012). While
all modern buildings will have a thermal envelope that, to some extent, controls the building's
temperature, it is important to understand that efficiency does not depend on just one aspect of
the envelope (Knippers & Speck, 2012). As such, it is equally as important to understand the
interactions between the thermal envelope and other aspects of the building's performance.
According to Uchiyama et al. (2020), the need for an energy-efficient thermal envelope
has changed dramatically over time. In the late 1880s and early 1900s, a single fireplace was
enough to heat a typical home (Botchwey et al., 2022). With the advent of central-heating
systems and electric equipment, most homes have multiple fireplaces, and furthermore, have
other heating and cooling systems (Ezcurra, 2006). Energy efficiency remains a major indicator
of sustainability in buildings.
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Adaptive architectural envelopes have evolved from a few specific lessons learned from
living organisms. After studying various natural ecosystems, researchers such as Uchiyama et al.
(2020) found that the wildlife in these ecosystems benefit from varying degrees of shade. This is
because these animals use shade to determine whether or not they can move freely without
detection by their predators (Stein & Walsh, 2001). Models are applied to building design that
use the same principles of adaptation and concealment, which has been shown to be effective in
Buildings made to imitate natural forms and functions have become a popular source of
sustainable design, as they not only maintain their own health and productivity but also provide
2012) Many of the principles of sustainable architecture are rooted in biomimicry, because even
ancient man observed that nature is a source of resources and a model for designs. When applied
to architecture, biomimicry means that structures are built to incorporate sustainable design
principles inspired by living organisms (Ozyegin et al., 2012). One of the most noticeable
examples of biomimicry in architecture is a trend toward sustainable homes built from natural
materials, such as concrete and wood. When constructed from natural materials, these structures
not only maintain their own natural properties but also provide ecological benefits.
Bamboo can be used to create framing for buildings and other structures that imitate
nature. In architecture, biomimicry can be applied to the façade of buildings (Ezcurra, 2006). The
adaptive building facade is a concept that uses mimicking properties in nature to design a
structure. This idea is often used in landscaping but applications for the interior of building are
being developed.
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architecture, engineering, and material science. It approaches these pursuits with a view to
creating sustainable designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also ethically sound. The
goal of this framework is to find inspiration in nature's superior ability as a model for designing
resilient products for a complex and changing future. In the past, architects and engineers have
used nature as a source of inspiration for designing resilient structures, taking inspiration from
"natural" factors such as wind gust loads or fire. But according to Elanor Ingpen Veale and
Michael McDonough, this approach is not enough. Their goal is to apply biomimicry to better
understand the behavior of complex systems—such as buildings—in order to create more robust
designs that are also environmentally friendly and economically viable in the coming decades.
The ability to build with materials that expand and contract is a biological instinct that is
used to build tunnels, nest-like structures, fly-spaces and other animal shelters (Stein & Walsh,
2001). The architects of yore would not have known about this instinct to build well had it not
been for Darwin's evolutionary theory. This new discipline will help architects design
Author and architecture professor Brian Sanders as cited by UNEP (2021) stated: "If the
buildings are understood to work with nature, and not fight against it, we can begin to create
buildings that behave better in storms, buildings that cool themselves in summer, reduce their
energy use in winter, support more wildlife and even help prevent disease." The idea is to design
better performance buildings by looking at how they adapt to the environment. A good example
of this is passive cooling (Uchiyama et al., 2020). Biomimicry-inspired buildings use strategies
that mimic the structure of a termite mound. An example is the Eastgate Center in Zimbabwe’s
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They are covered in a colored layer of thermal enamel and they have a ventilation system that
allows air to flow freely over and around the building's surface (Harkness, 2012). Another
application is in the Heliotrope in Freiburg (Uchiyama et al., 2020). The applications depend
Biophilic design is a sub-group of biomimetic design and mainly focuses on human well-
being. Its major objective is to establish a psychological connection between humans and the
natural environment (Uchiyama et al., 2020). There are several strategies applied in biophilic
design. The first one involves the use wildflowers, bees or birds in the building design. The
strategy is motivated by the fact that attractive designs encourage people to interact with nature
and make better use of it. Existing outdoor niches such as roof terraces have been overlooked for
too long and need to be brought back into the mainstream. Natural materials, like wood and
stone, also have an important role to play in biophilic design because they make people feel more
Another strategy involves creating a rich sensory environment. This can be achieved by
making use of natural light, sound and scent which improves moods and encourages people to
take better care of their surroundings (Uchiyama et al., 2020). Allowing natural light into the
building is also a useful strategy because exposure to natural light helps with concentration and
makes people happier. There are studies indicating that people with windows in their workplaces
are happier, healthier and more productive (even if it's just a sliver of a view). Others place
plants all around the window to increase air quality (Botchwey et al., 2022). The use of natural
materials, sustainable architectural design, and natural ventilation are other useful biophilic
design strategies.
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4. Discussion
The evaluated studies have revealed that biomimicry has impacted the architecture field
significantly. Jamei and Vrcelj (2021b) argue that functional properties of biological materials
have inspired new architectural designs. Cui et al. (2019) have echoed similar sentiments by
flexible underwater adhesive pads and bio-inspired self-shaping composites are inspired by
functional properties of biological materials. However, the researchers have not elucidated the
limitations of biomimicry in architectural designs, which would guide future architects drawing
Ahamed et al. (2022a) has discussed at length various ways in which architects and
engineers draw inspiration from animals and plants as summarized in Table 1. Knippers and
Speck (2012) has used a similar approach by giving an example of how customized implants are
intended to mimic the bone shape directly for replacement. Lee (2010) argues that The World
Trade Center inspired by the structural organization of bamboo and created a structure that scales
its resilience using a deliberate form. Practical examples in the literature help to create a better
du Plessis et al. (2019) described the multiple ways in which biomimicry can be used to
create customized designs. These are customized/freeform, simulation-driven, and lattice design.
Although the researchers attempted to explain how each approach can be used, they did not
highlight the weaknesses, which is a research gap that future studies should attempt to fill. The
interest in the field. Future studies should mainly focus on the shortcomings architects are likely
5. Conclusion
In summary, the study has evaluated multiple studies on biomimicry and how it has
influenced architectural designs. It has emerged that nature and its wonders present numerous
ideas and opportunities for architectural design. Architects drawing inspiration from biomimicry
tend to focus mainly on complex biological structures, which developed in response to different
ecological conditions. It is critical to consider the factors that may have influenced the
development of the various complex structures before mimicking them in architectural designs.
For instance, a complex feature that may have developed to help an organism become more fertile may
not have relevance to architecture because buildings don’t reproduce or replicate like living organisms do.
Architects and engineers should work together to device ways of developing complex and sustainable
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