Effects of Biomimicry On Architecture: Elif Gizem Yetkin
Effects of Biomimicry On Architecture: Elif Gizem Yetkin
Effects of Biomimicry On Architecture: Elif Gizem Yetkin
Abstract
The sociological, psychological and physiological problems experienced by humanity,
which have been exposed to dark offices, high flats and city life far from nature, have
been strikingly exposed with researches. In addition, the nature-based design
approaches that emerged due to the need to meet the need of humanity for nature
and the desire to return to nature have taken their place among the design parameters
of the new age in architecture However, concepts where biology and design come
together have emerged. Biomimicry is a discipline that explores the best ideas for
design processes by imitating nature. It takes all the ecological needs that users expect
from architecture directly from the nature. It provides an integration model with the
nature that people yearn for, and also creates a model that takes the solutions created
by nature in architectural designs as an example. In this period of architectural design
turning to nature, biomimicry has the feature of being a pioneer of a new architectural
trend by providing designers with a different view of nature. The main purpose of this
study is to determine the application areas and basic features of the biomimicry
approach in architecture and to create a road map for designer architects. To achieve
this goal, a research methodology has been designed to achieve two objectives. First,
it will carry out an in-depth research on biomimicry, architecture and
environmentally friendly designs with existing literature studies. Secondly, listing the
biomimicry designs applied in architecture and classifying them according to their
ecological gains to the building. As a result, a guide will be created for the designer
architects to provide ease in producing more efficient buildings.
Keywords: Biomimicry, Sustainable Design, Biology based design, Biophilic architecture,
1.Introduction
Today, one of the most important obstacles to the experience of nature is the paradigm that
dominates the design and development of the modern built environment. Because even
though the human developed in the natural world, closed spaces where 90% of the time is
spent today have taken the place of the people's “natural habitat”. While the need for
interaction with nature is critical for people's health and fitness, it is very difficult to be
satisfied in this respect in today’s-built environments. Because the dominant approach to the
design of living spaces sometimes sees nature as an obstacle and sometimes an insignificant
detail (Kellert & Finnegan, Heerwagen, 2011). However, if a person bonds with nature and can
see himself as a part of nature, he can reflect this love in nature by feeling a love for nature.
(Yılmaz, 2017).
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Mankind has taken the nature as a guide and benefited from the structures and forms of nature
in its designs. Although this has been an ongoing approach since the classical period, it should
now take on a new dimension. In this sense, the architectural design based on ecology is
understood as a return to the traditional or primitive, due to the application examples that are
frequently encountered in the literature. However, this is an approach that needs to be hung.
It is important to produce designs that can utilize all the possibilities of science and technology
but go beyond the understanding of effective use of energy and that can be part of the system
in a holistic, mutually beneficial relationship with its environment, in line with the principles
included in scientific theories.
However, in this way, the holistic approach of the concept of ecology can also find a place in
ecological architecture. Designing by imitating nature is one of the methods used by designers
for years. When designing in architects, they are often inspired by nature. During the times
when technical and material knowledge was insufficient, the solutions produced by nature
were used directly to meet the needs of the period in living space designs. Today's architecture
has evolved in a different direction with the development of technology. With the widespread
use of energy in living spaces, energy consumption has reached high levels in the building
sector in parallel with changing comfort conditions. However, with the energy crises
experienced, like many sectors, the building sector changed its direction and started to work
on strategies to reduce energy consumption.
In the 21st century, people started to live in high-rise buildings under artificial weather
conditions. These conditions increased people's longing for nature. Because man is a part of
nature and as he moves away from him, he starts to experience physiological and
psychological problems. This increasing need of people for nature has also been brought to
the agenda within the scope of sustainability strategies and various approaches have been
created (Ebrahimpour, Majedi, Mahdiniya, 2017). Biology-based design strategies have been
developed for designers, with solutions inspired by nature. In this study, firstly, the biology-
based design strategies will be defined and the effects of the biomimicry approach that is used
effectively on architecture will be examined. In the last section, sample structures suitable for
biomimicry approach will be examined.
2. Biology Based Design Approaches
The main idea at the core of all concepts such as bionics, biomimetics, biomimics, biodesign,
biomechanics, organic design is 'learning from nature'. The solutions developed by all living
creatures against the problems they face have directed the designers to approaches such as
learning from nature and imitating nature in their search for solutions. These approaches have
been accepted in many fields such as medicine, architecture, engineering, design and art and
have continued their development. The concepts of bionics, biomechanics and biodesign offer
designers many possibilities in terms of creativity (Salingaros, Masden, 2008).
The realization of the solutions in nature by using the least amount of energy in the shortest
way and its adaptation to the design caused positive results based on the sustainability of the
design. The sensitivity of designers and companies in terms of increasing environmental
pollution and reduction of natural resources has also been another factor that has led to
solutions in nature (Senosian, 2003). Since the principle of nature to realize using the least for
the most efficiency is a target that is aimed by the designers today, the idea of searching for
the solution of the problems in the examples in the nature has been an accepted approach.
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2.1 Biomimetics/bioinspiration
The term "biomimetic" was introduced in 1969 by Otto H. Schmitt. The word is made up of
words that mean "bios" (life) and "mimesis" (imitation). There are various sources that the
words biomimetic, bionic, biomimicry are synonymous. Although their basic meanings are
similar, their emergence and usage areas have changed. While the use of bionic design in
medicine has become widespread among these terms that relate to design discipline with
expressions such as biomimetic design, bionic design, the expression of biomimetic design is
the closest expression to the principle of inspiration-learning in the design of industrial
products we mentioned in this study (Low, 2009).
Chiu and Shu (2007) argue that many designers and engineers have come to the conclusion
with their own observations about inspiration from biology to find solutions to their design
problems, but this method reduces the great potential of biology. In this context, he proposes
a method by which the designer can access biological resources and reach more detailed
biological resources with the right keywords and obtain more comprehensive results in
biomimetic design. The history of biomimetic design existed before the concept of biomimetic
emerged. Leonardo da Vinci used nature observations in many of his works, for example, he
designed flying instruments by observing the flights of birds. In addition, the Crystal Palace
built in London and the Eiffel Tower in Paris are examples of architectural biomimetic design.
We can define concept of biomimesis as follows. The nature-inspired / learning / adaptation
and / or application forms in architecture can be handled in two ways: First, as explained in
the previous section, the form of the natural object is taken and transferred to the building
with formal concerns and an analogy, and the other is the form of formation observed in the
building; (the process of material, form, and structure formation) to be transformed into an
architectural form with experimental data (Antoniades, 1992). The concept of biomimesis
becomes important at this point.
In the literature; It is seen that the concept of biomimetic is used instead of the concept of
biomimesis. Briefly, it can be defined as a design that imitates some or all of the biological
phenomena in whole or in part. In this chapter, this concept will be considered as the use of
what is observed in nature, beyond mere form, as a source of inspiration.
2.2 Biomechanics
As a branch of science, Biomechanics is the field of application of biology and engineering
sciences on living creatures. In biomechanical studies, by using engineering methods, how the
creatures move, how their movements are controlled, the effect of the force system occurring
in different parts during the movement, the conditions of strain on living and inanimate tissues
are examined, treatment methods are tested and developed (Bar-Cohen, 2005).
It is a branch of mechanical physics science and examines how force turns into action. These
movements provide growth and development and cause injuries if overloaded. Biomechanics
provides the conceptual and mathematical tools needed to understand how living things move
and how kinesiology specialists can make movements safer (Knudson, 2003).
Biomechanical discipline is based on the basics of physics, chemistry, mathematics,
psychology and anatomy sciences. The first biomechanists were Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo,
Lagrange, Bernoulli, Euler and Young (Winter, 2009).
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Ergonomics is concerned with human-machine interaction and has an important place in the
design of industrial products. According to biomechanical analysis, ergonomicists can support
the development of human machine related systems (McLester and St. Pierre, 2008, p. 12).
Ergonomics and biomechanics are very closely related, and in this sense, awareness of
biomechanics is important in product design. Biomechanical science is a science that sheds
light on engineers and designers in the design of moving objects. The awareness of the
biomechanics of living creatures in nature will provide useful information in the context of
learning from nature and learning.
2.3 Biomimicry
Biomimicry is a new discipline (Biomimicry Institute) that explores the best ideas of nature
and imitates these designs and develops them for people's problems. Janine Benyus first used
this term in her book "Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature" in 1997. The term
"biomimicry", which aims to be a bridge between biology and many other sciences in
benefiting from the principles of nature, is frequently used by academic circles today. We find
examples of biomimicry in engineering, architecture and design. We can call designs created
by using biomimicry in the field of design, biomimetic design. Janine Benyus is an important
scientist who has done a lot of work in this field, enabling the emergence of an interdisciplinary
concept biomimicry as her specialty. Janine Benyus also founded the Biomimicry consulting
firm (Biomimicry Guild) in 1998. This company has worked with many brands and has
achieved successful results.
The Biomimicry Institute, founded in 2005 by Janine Benyus, is a non-profit organization.
Biomimicry Institute supports bringing together scientists, engineers, architects, designers
and innovators who want to use interesting efficient solution models in nature to create
sustainable technologies. The Biomimicry Institute consists of 12 employees and focuses on
three main areas; developing training programs for students, professionals and the public,
trying to create public policies that use biomimicry as a solution for sustainability,
encouraging companies that benefit from biomimicry to provide financial support for
biodiversity (biomimicryinstitute.org).
Janine Benyus uses the following statement when explaining her biomimicry approach:
“The biomimicry approach seeks the advice of nature at every stage of the design, from
concept to creation and evaluation. Innovators discover and ask the correct functions of their
designs that they want to finalize by working together with biologists at the design desk: What
organism or ecosystem ensures their survival by performing these functions? ”
Reed (2004) explains the biomimicry approach as follows:
“We are in the middle of a paradigm shift in the way we view and interact with the natural
world. This new line of thinking - biomimicry - has a tremendous impact on the technological
products and systems we have already designed. Biomimicry, an extremely important
component of technology literature, is also an excellent example of the interdisciplinary
nature of science and technology. ” (Reed, Klumb, Koobatian, & Viney, 2009).
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[CATEGORY [CATEGORY
NAME] NAME]
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NAME]
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produces as the animals and plants do; It produces fibers, ceramics, plastics and chemicals that
can biodegrade using the sun and simple components.
As a measure, nature uses ecological standards to decide on the problem solving and
sustainable viability and validity of inventions. Billions of years after evolution, nature has
learned what works, what is appropriate and what is based, and has come to today's
conditions. For this reason, nature itself has determined the most suitable criteria that can be
used as criteria.
As a guide, nature has been explained as the new way to observe and evaluate nature. It is not
about what to extract from nature, but about what can be learned from it.
Designers, architects, engineers, managers and many more use biomimicry in their designs.
With the design spiral, information about the solution to the problem, how to find a solution
from nature and the application process methods can be accessed. The spiral includes
methods of using nature for inspiration and making the method used in design to achieve the
success of the system in nature (Kuday,2009).
Nature also designs structures like architects. The structures it designs adapt perfectly to its
context, it contains solutions for all environmental problems by itself, its form and functions
match each other without errors and contains neither missing nor more functions. (Emre
GÜNDÜZ) Another important design feature seen in nature is that architects use similar design
criteria that they use when designing living spaces for people. "For example; temperature
control, oxygen and respiration, humidity control and water management, defense against
predators, food storage, operating the soil-cultivation and structure are the basic ones
”(Karabetça, 2018). Some animal structures can be given as examples. For example, the
mounds of termites forming mounds, while having all these basic functions, are highly efficient
and sustainable designs compared to human structures.
On the other hand, it is argued that a two-way approach in design can be maintained with
biomimicry. The first is the design that questions biology, and the second is the biology that
affects design. In the first approach, the designer works with biologists for identified design
problems and tries to find solutions through an appropriate organism in nature. The second
is the opposite. The designer and biologist work on an organism or ecosystem. They use the
functions and behaviors they determine here in the design according to their current needs
(Zari, 2007).
Architecture has often tended to imitate nature. In terms of forming analogy with nature,
analogical work in architecture is full of references to shape and biological function. Human
beings have taken nature as a guide and have benefited from the structures and forms of
nature in their designs. Biomimicry is sustainable development ethics. It is necessary to
imitate nature and transfer from nature for a sustainable life. Biomimicry is a multidisciplinary
design approach. It has been used in architectural design for many years.
"Future architects will manage genetic engineers, not masonry workers.
The buildings will be self-renovating like living creatures. Forms that build their own
ecosystem will be built decisively ... the architect just has to program this chain that will
produce everything. "(Alberto Estévez, 2003)
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A systematic study is required to find answers to existing design problems in nature, so that
the correct answer can be reached in a short time with the right research. We can briefly list
the path that this systematic study should follow;
• Identification of the problem
• Finding a biological response
• Observing Nature
• Finding nature models that have succeeded
• Apply the nature-based solution
• Formal imitation
• Functional imitation
• Ecosystem imitation
• Comparison of the compatibility of the solution to the principles of nature (Pawlyn,
2016).
4. Sample Architectural Structures Using Biomimicry
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Figure 5. Milwaukee Art Museum by Santiago Calatrava (Calatrava's Rising Pavilion, 2010)
Santiago Calatrava, one of the successful and unlimited architects of the modern era, has
always designed in the light of the feature, difference, mathematics, physics, and scientific
research that distinguished his works from others. Thanks to the search for technology and
new materials, he created quite different designs working with the system of nature.
As a result of Calatrava's engineering researches, it has brought a sculptural architectural
structure to the USA with a flawless wing mechanism.
While designing the building, Calatrava, which was designed based on the “wings beat and
wing structures”, connected the wing mechanism that was opened twice a day with 217 feet
that folded.
Figure 6. Eastgate Office Building Cross Section, Termite Hill Operation System.
One of the important examples given under the functional approaches in biomimicry design
understanding is the Eastgate 26 Building, designed within the biomimicry consciousness of
the 21st century. The building, designed and built by designer architect Mick Pearce, is the
country's largest shopping and office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The inspiration for the Eastgate building project is the hills and ventilation system built by M.
Michaelsen (a termite type) to survive.
With the adaptation of the self-cooling feature of the mound made by incandescent, a
sustainable solution has been found for the cooling and heating process that causes the most
energy consumption in the building. The natural ventilation system of termites is both
structurally and functionally located in the Eastgate Building. In order to ensure that the glass
courtyard in the middle of the building consisting of two blocks provides equal light to the
spaces and to provide this light equally to the spaces, the size of each neighborhood is
considered proportionally to each other (Karabetça, 2016 and Alp, 2013).
5. Conclusion
Although architecture and biology are seen as different disciplines at first glance, they
basically have very similar perspectives and goals. Both disciplines are based on material and
organization; it's about morphology and structure. Both disciplines consist of systems that are
connected simultaneously, and most importantly both have structures of collective parts. With
the biomimicry approach, new methods can be developed not only in the fields of architecture
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and biology, but also in collaboration with different disciplines such as engineering, materials
and chemistry, and innovative projects can be created that will create innovative and
sustainable products. Designs that are inspired by nature or produced for the purpose of
protecting nature are environmentally friendly in terms of being in harmony with nature.
In designs based on the protection of natural habitats, it is aimed to ensure the continuity and
ecological balance of living species. Both approaches are based on the purpose of maintaining
the balance of nature from different angles. When these positive efforts are examined in depth,
they may still have insolubility in themselves. However, it will be a pioneer in terms of
designing living spaces in harmony with nature, creating ideas and developing in this
direction.
A real biomimicry approach in architectural design is developing new design methods that
combine both the model of behavior and the materialization process in addition to
environmental factors. This situation requires understanding of form, material and structure.
Biomimicry has the potential to change our view of the world at the same time, but it also has
the potential to develop approaches and possibilities to extend the usable life of the world and
resources as well as the life of humankind.
In the coming centuries, studies in the field of Biomimicry will remin up to date. In order to
ensure the sustainability of the systems in the designs, the integrity of biomimic applications
should be increased. Biomimicry, which showed its effect in the time of Antoni Gaudi and came
up with the concept of sustainability in the period of Michael Pawlyn, will continue to emerge
with different concepts even in the 21st century and afterwards. The methods of making will
also develop in parallel and become flawless.
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