Biomimicry free essay sample

Biophilia and biomimicry are very analogous and often confused, but they are not identical principles. Biophilia posits that â€Å"human health and well-being has a biologically based need to affiliate with nature†, applied to design and architecture it refers to incorporating natural elements into the design of buildings and other structures. Biomimicry is a big part of biophilic design in that it seeks to incorporate natural processes into the design features of buildings. The common misconception about biomimicry is that it seeks to design a building to mimic nature, e. g. designing a building to look like a pinecone. Instead, it would be designing the building’s skin to mimic the ability of the pinecone to open and close according to moisture levels, thereby managing the building’s moisture levels in a more efficient way. Designs that incorporate biomimicry are function-centric, however they usually change the form of the building, which can sometimes be an unintended benefit. We will write a custom essay sample on Biomimicry or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 1 Although it is not the only part of biophilic design, biomimicry is an integral and important element of this design revolution. During the 20th century the prevailing architectural attitude imposed â€Å"artificial meaning on the built environment†, thereby ignoring the â€Å"natural and physical processes of human physiology†. 2 Buildings were seen as nothing more than hollow shells, independent of their interior inhabitants and their exterior environment. However, we know that this is not true. The built environment is an integral part of the natural landscapes, mostly due to the fact that its construction drastically alters it in some way. Biomimetic designs can help mitigate this, by improving the static function of a building. Biomimicry is first and foremost, a design process, not a style. It focuses on what the design will do for the building in question, rather than how that design will affect the aesthetics overall. However, the buildings aesthetics are usually improved because of the design, with features that are unique that stick out from conventional designs. Biomimicry is a very engineering-centric approach where the architect focuses on: â€Å"flexibility, strength under tension, wind resistance, sound protection, cooling, warming, etc. † Then try to find and copy the function in question from a local organism or ecosystem. That is the essence of biomimicry. 3 This graphic, outlines the design process for biomimicry, which was created by the firm â€Å"Biomimicry 3. 8† an innovator in biomimetic design. 4 However, even with all of the best explanations, the best way to explain biomimicry is through concrete examples. The first is the Eastgate Centre Tower in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is modeled after the termite mounds that are widespread in that area of Africa. The building’s skin mimics that of the termite mounds, which have thousands of small air passageways that open and close depending on the prevailing sun and precipitation. This adaptation keeps the termites and their food source at a warm and constant temperature. The architects copied this design by incorporating a passive cooling system, that cools during the day and warms at night. 56 The second great example is 30 St. Mary Axe in London, more commonly known as The Gherkin†. It’s innovative design adapts the way a glass sponge circulates water. The building’s main feature are six chimney-stack shafts that help distribute air evenly and also insulate the building’s exterior. This feature allows the Gherkin to operate at half the cost of an equivalent traditional building. 7 These two examples contain the essence of biomimicry, it is about integrating what nature has worked out through billions of years of evolution with what we as humans have discovered so far. It is to distill the essential function that allows other organisms on Earth to be successful and combine it with our technologies. The immense energy savings that these buildings have, combined with their innovative reputation allows for biomimetic designs to gain a greater foothold. It gives prospective architectural clients assurances that â€Å"‘biomimicry is a real entity with real benefits and not some scary new design approach’† that is temperamental and expensive. 8 If biomimicry continues to grow in popularity future buildings will have much lower costs and have a lower impact on the environment, as well as being unique and fun to look at and live in. Making biomimicry the most important component of the biophilic design principle.