Biomimicry is a type of approach used to develop man-made systems and technologies by mimicking the structures or functions of organisms that exist in nature. This approach is based on the idea that organisms in nature offer perfectly optimized solutions. Designs based on biomimicry mimic nature's efforts to create the best system with the least use of resources and aim to transform this knowledge into technological innovations.
Architectural design takes into account many factors such as aesthetics, functionality and sustainability when creating people's living spaces. In recent years, architects have been integrating biomimicry into their design processes by taking inspiration from nature. Architects aim to develop environmentally friendly, effective and innovative architectural solutions inspired by the strategies of organisms in nature.
Biomimicry can shape our buildings in various ways; it can shape the form and façade of the building directly inspired by nature, or it can be shaped as a self-sufficient and sustainable building design by taking inspiration from the functioning of nature in the design of the building. Let's examine some of these structures.
LivMatS Biomimetic Shell
The building was realized as a joint research project of two important programs researching sustainable architecture. This project resulted in a building with a fragmented wooden shell structure. The building is designed to be fully degradable and reusable. The design of the building is based on the structural principles of the skeleton of sea urchins.
The building is designed to produce the least amount of energy possible. The location and orientation of the building was carefully chosen so that the surrounding buildings cast very little shadow on the building on winter days. The timber shell is equipped with fiber insulation, which provides thermal indoor comfort during the winter months, while helping to escape the high heat of the summer months.
Fab Lab
Fab Lab, designed by Roth Architecture, is an organic laboratory project inspired by the aesthetic beauty of nature, built with a combination of concrete and palm fiber. The project, which bears traces of natural patterns taken from nature, is equipped with contemporary technological equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters.
Fab Lab's compact structure is positioned through the forest, at some points wrapped directly around the trees. The façade has curvilinear windows and doors in different intertwined shapes, reminiscent of leaves and trees. The plan includes small courtyards that pass through the center of the trees. In the interior, there are organic benches and plant beds in harmony with natural forms. In addition, planting areas have been integrated into some areas of the hardscape and filled with native forest plants.
Eastgate Center, Zimbabwe
Termites position their nests according to the direction of sunrise and sunset to provide heating and ventilation. The thermal mass of termite nests plays an important role in maintaining the indoor environment. The narrowing chimneys allow warm air to escape quickly and thus contribute to stabilizing the temperature inside. Termites are nature's successful builders, designing structures according to climatic and outdoor conditions to maintain a constant temperature.
Inspired by the characteristics of termites, architect Mick Pearce designed the Eastgate Building with an energy-saving design approach. These approaches saved up to 35% of the energy required to regulate the internal comfort temperature and eliminated the need for mechanical ventilation. To control sunlight, the architect utilized architectural elements such as overhangs and deep eaves. In particular, the traditional deep eaves used in Africa provide shade from the summer sun by creating shadows on the walls, while at the same time allowing sunlight to warm the building in winter.
Inspired by termites, temperature control is achieved through natural methods such as night cooling and heat storage. For example, the rock store in the basement absorbs heat from the environment and human activity, and at night it draws in cold air and initiates convective airflow. This cold air is distributed to the offices the next day through perforated floors and baseboard vents, ensuring energy efficiency.
Referance
https://yapidergisi.com/biyomimetik-tasarim-yaklasimi-ve-mimari-uygulamalar/
https://www.arkitera.com/haber/tulumda-dogaya-uyumlu-fab-lab/
https://parametric-architecture.com/nature-inspired-design-biomimicry-in-architecture/
https://blog.burotime.com/dogadan-ilham-alan-tasarim-stratejisi-biyomimikri-nedir/
