‘Bio-Mimicry And Ecosystems Conducive For Architecture To Take Place’

Abstract:

Bio-mimicry in itself is sought to be a measure of problems faced by humans in all kinds of fields,

including architecture. The usage and feasibility of “Bio-mimicry in Architecture” has varied from its first use by the Romans and Greeks or maybe since the times unknown, as architecture cannot be defined.

Bio-mimicry refers not only to the mimicking of the subject but also to analyse, synthesize and incorporate into something unusual, difficult to attain or maybe even something so simple. The ecosystems and the subject for mimicking gives us the solution for sustainability of the structures, structural challenges and design challenges or design evolution.

The imitation of ecosystems, biological creatures is often seen but in scattered forms which one might not even notice. Bio-mimicry in design also lies in an aeroplane and also in a structure inspired from the veins of a leaf. In a wider sense, the evolution of biological mimicry in architecture ranges from double skin façade systems to a structural support.

Bio-mimicry works in 3 stages – the organism, its behaviour and the ecosystem. Organism level involves the study of the particular organism biologically and using it in the aesthetics or using the components in the structure in some form or the other. On a behavioural level, responsive architecture is a great example to begin with where the behaviour of the subject for bio-mimicry might solve or add to the possibilities of the structure. On an ecosystem level, the study of the togetherness of various components of the environment is carried out so as to incorporate or to solve the existing problems of the structure.

While there is very less amount of data regarding bio-mimicry in architecture as compared to the experiential possibilities of the latter, the evolution, research, study and incorporation can lead architecture to another level due to the fact that man has evolved from nature. Though there are a lot of criticisms and disputes on why do we need to relate architecture to nature when even a glass box as a building can work just fine, if one of the vague definitions of architecture has always been “creation of space”, then why does the space need to be enclosed in a glass?

The spectrum of this subject is wide enough to guide through all the experiments in architecture. Not only using bio-mimicry and ecosystems conducive for architecture to take place but also solving the problems of existing architectural structures around us. If nature can solve the problems for a longer time than a man-made solution can, then would it be fair to not use it as a tool for guidance and experimentation on a macro and as well as micro scale?

Introduction:

Whilst Science has been involved in discoveries of nature to a huge extent, the discoveries relating to principles of nature range to infinity. The undefined field of Architecture involves a huge branch of science which brings us down to the various fields of the latter, nature being one of them. The use of “nature”, specifically, has evolved over time in architecture, from the times unknown to various architects and designers mimicking the subject structurally, aesthetically and principally.

Today, architecture is not only seen as a space created for shelter or a built-environment or simply a planned setting, it is also perceived as a mode to grow with the rapidly changing universe, by trying to be in favour of nature and trying to attain an equilibrium with nature at a micro and macro scale. A “built-environment’, now, aims to achieve sustainability and responsiveness. All these factors combined, have a common solution or a common answer on a small or a larger scale in the terms of bio-mimicry and the ecosystems conducive for architecture to take place.

Interpretations of bio-mimicry:

Though, the change in architecture is rapid and thoughtful, the effect and acceptance of the subject of biomimicry is often criticized due to its limitations, cost & maintenance and future scope of development, due to which, this revolution, one may say, is limited to only a structure or a client who is interested to invest or is really concerned about the effects.  

A design process in Architecture involves varied form of branches of thinking, practicing, experimenting, inculcating and finally implementing the design. Bio-mimicry is usually perceived as mimicking a subject in nature on a structure by usage of unconventional forms found in nature and rarely are the principles of the subject implemented. 

“It may be true that one has to choose between ethics and aesthetics, but whichever one chooses, one will always find the other at the end of the road.”

– ‘Taking shape: A new contract between Architecture and Nature’

The statement above, questions the relationship between architecture and nature, which loses due to the decision of going in favour of either ethics or aesthetics. While striving for architecture to achieve an equilibrium with nature at a macro and micro scale, using bio-mimicry or the principles of ecosystems, the ethics and aesthetics can be maintained to a considerable extent and justify the structure. 

“How can we encroach nature and still preserve it when the act of building contracts the idea of protecting the environment? Even with the most environmentally friendly buildings, there will always be some sort of negative impact because something exists where nothing used to be. As our need to grow and expand becomes more predominant it’s more important than ever to ask the question- just because I can build something, should I?”

As powerful as this statement above is, so is the effect of architecture on nature. As one knows, the change is constant, it cannot be resisted or stopped but it can be given a particular direction for development. Where one can use nature as a tool to sustain the nature itself, a question arises- “why not?” If yes, “how?”

Incorporation of bio-mimicry:

Bio-mimicry works in 3 stages – the organism, its behaviour and the ecosystem. Organism level involves the study of the particular organism biologically and using it in the aesthetics or using the components in the structure in some form or the other. On a behavioural level, responsive architecture is a great example to begin with where the behaviour of the subject for bio-mimicry might solve or add to the possibilities of the structure. On an ecosystem level, the study of the togetherness of various components of the environment is carried out so as to incorporate or to solve the existing problems of the structure.

The Bio-mimicry Guild, in collaboration with other organizations, developed a practical design tool called the Bio-mimicry Design Spiral that uses nature as a model. This tool outlines guidance using the following steps to apply the tool effectively and systematically to the creative process. Below are listed the basic steps in that process.

The Bio-mimicry Design Spiral (picture source: littlegreenseed.wordpress.com)

Identify:

Develop a Design Brief of the human need.

Interpret:

Bio-logize the question; ask the design brief from Nature's perspective.

Ask "How does Nature do this function?" "How does Nature NOT do this function?"

Discover:

Look for the champions in nature who answer/resolve your challenges

Abstract:

Find the repeating patterns and processes within nature that achieve success

Emulate:

Develop ideas and solutions based on the natural models

Evaluate:

How do your ideas compare to Life's Principles, the successful principles of nature?

Identify:

Develop and refine design briefs based on lessons learned from evaluation of Life's Principles

By applying this process, it is possible to create buildings, products, and/or processes that are inherently more sustainable, perform better, use less energy, eliminate or create less waste, reduce material costs, and open up opportunities to innovate. (source: www.wbdg.org)

Bio-mimicry in architecture can be fundamentally applied in every step of a design process as well as, as a long term solution for a building which faces various eras of change throughout its life span. The various parts of a building like foundation, super-structure, skin of the building etc. have its own life span and maintenance terms. Application of bio-mimicry, for example, on skin of the building might not increase the life span of the building, but can definitely improve the quality of life of the building and functionality of the same whereas application of the subject on the foundation might increase the stability as well as the life span of the building. The implementation of bio-mimicry can also solve the problems related to natural disasters, in disaster prone areas.

Examples of bio-mimicry ranging from macro to micro level:

Bio-mimicry’s application can range from an individual building to an urban scale depending upon the function of the same. If applied on an individual level, it might range from the structural possibilities to the aesthetics and functional possibilities of the building and if applied on an urban scale, it might range not only from making the planning identical to an ecosystem or a biome, but also function like an ecosystem. On an urban scale, it might not be sufficient to only provide green roofs, walls and solar energy generation etc. but they should function to reduce the overall carbon emission, energy consumption, water consumption etc.

1: Urban scale:

Lavasa hill station, Mose valley, Pune, Maharashtra, India by HOK Architects: 

The master plan of the hill station is inspired from traditional patterns of Indian town planning which emulates principles that are culturally based and have been proven sustainable for centuries. The planning has been done by studying the local biome for establishing locally attuned designs. (source: www.hok.com) The usage of bio-mimicry in this type of development has a wide scope of work as it is not the direct application of an ecosystem but reception of the conditions of the local biome and incorporation of sustainable measures for the problems faced in the local biome. 

2: Individual level: 

Façade of the building and the individual element (photographs source: www.inhabitat.com)

Q1 building, Germany by JSWD Architetken: 

The shading system is composed of approximately metal “feathers”, which are anchored into route red stainless steel moveable stalks, which move and breathe with the touch of a controller. The stainless steel louvers have several functions that transform the façade to allow more or less light into the building. The 1,280 motorized elements can be closed to create a more solid enclosure, follow the position of the sun, or be entirely open to allow maximum solar exposure. The metal elements block of the harsh sun while keeping the interior cool, reducing the need for air conditioning and climate control. (source: www.inhabitat.com) 

The usage of bio-mimicry in this type of development has a scope of work of detailing in the elements of the building for ethical and aesthetical development of the design. One might criticize on the cost and the maintenance of the elements used in the building but the usage of the elements in the building neutralizes the amount of money spent on the electricity consumption throughout the life span of the building.

Bio-mimicry as a measure and a foundation:

The availability of information on bio-mimicry is limited due to the scope of work done until now and due to the lack of records regarding this subject. If given a serious thought and a practical application, it can take architecture to a whole new level, a different place and boost up the industry gradually but steadily. Creation of a space is easy but making a space with ethics and aesthetics both, is a harder process with respective problems faced in the design process. Seeking bio-mimicry as a solution for the problems faced in the process, an equilibrium with nature can be attained to quite an extent in the benefit of human kind. 

Bibliography and references:

1.      www.academia.edu

2.      Spaces inspired by nature by Ar.Shirish Beri

3.      www.wikipedia.org

4.      www.inhabitat.com 

5.      www.treehugger.com 

6.      www.scholarworks.umass.edu 

7.      www.wbdg.org 

8.      Taking shape: A new contract between Architecture and Nature by Susannah Hagan

9.      www.hok.com