bio mimi cri
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INTRODUCTION TO BIOMIMICRY
Biomimicry - An IntroductionBiomimicry - An Introduction
The conscious emulation of nature by turning towards it as a mentor can be called
as Biomimicry.Biomimcry as the name suggests, indicates the mimicking of the
biological designs, processes & laws to the design of human systems.
Biomimicry (from bios meaning life, and mimesis meaning to imitate) is a
new science that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and
processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an
example. The core idea is that nature has already solved many of the problems
humans are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate
engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important,
what lasts here on Earth. All organism, plants, animals, fungi, algae, and bacteria
must grow, maintain, feed, and reproduce to ensure their short-term and long-term
sustainability. The same can be said for humans. But the way industrial humans have
gone about meeting their needs is quite different from the way other organisms
survive, and therein lies the root of our sustainability crisis. However, the
characteristics displayed by natural systems evolving, adaptive and sustainable are the
exact same characteristics that have to be striven for, in our human systems today.
Application of Biomimicry to Civil Engineering
Bio-Civil
The structures of biological systems such as the beehives, termite nests, the cell
membrane, spider webs or other organelles-are available to humankind. The nature is
always available as both an inspirational model as well as a view of the progress of bio-
materials and a means to break away from stagnant patterns and realize the expanded
possibilities afforded by technology and bios-centered thinking. The structural patterns
found in the living organisms has revealed the intriguing facts that their application in the
designing of our buildings will definitely help us achieve economy and disaster resistant
building construction.
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APPLICATIONOF BIOMIMICRYTO ARCHITECTURE
BIO-ARCHITECTURE
Rob Beug has defined bio-architecture as an investigation into the potential for
biological organisms to influence architecture.
Every living organism on Earth represents a perfectly functioning system, welladapted to the environment as a result of the millions of years of evolution.
The last two centuries, however, have seen a deterioration of this relationship
between architecture and nature. Today, buildings are usually looked at as isolated
machines, and nature is largely ignored. To a large extent, this alienation from the natural
world was made possible by technological advancements brought on by the industrial
revolution.
The mechanical systems that allowed this comfort also allowed buildings to be
divorced from their environment, as buildings no longer needed to be designed to
maximize sun and wind, or use local materials. Unfortunately some very serious
repercussions of this approach are now becoming apparent.
Environmental crisis, suggests a number of measures to be taken for achieving
heating energy and water economy, garbage recycling and more efficient elimination of
auto exhaust gas pollutants. In particular, it proposes to cover unused surfaces in the city
courtyards, facades and roofs with vegetation.
The choices architects make in designing buildings have a big impact on the
health and sustainability of our planet. When one begins to look at how life forms
function and adapt, it becomes clear that if an organism is to survive, it must fit within
the natural cycles of life. In nature, everything is interdependent and being constantly
recycled. Buildings must fit in with these natural cycles as well.
BIOMIMICRY IN ARCHITECTUREBIO-ARCHITECTURE
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INTRODUCTIONTO BIO-ARCHITECTURE
As stated by Rob Beug Bio-architecture is explained as:
An investigation into the potential for biological organisms to
influence architecture. The art and science of designing and erecting buildings, which are,
conceptualized as living organisms.
Buildings and other large structures that are similar to plants or
animals in form or function.
A style and method of design and construction.
Orderly arrangement of parts in an organic way; structure: the bio-
architecture
Given the current global environmental imperatives, it is essential to develop a
philosophical approach in which buildings are seen less as isolated machines and
more like organic systems. Recognizing this relationship and building on it, has the
potential to inform an architecture that not only produces more ecologically sound
buildings, but also can create rich, meaningful and pleasurable spaces.
BIOLOGYAND ARCHITECTURE: PARALLELSAND INSPIRATIONS
A relationship between biology and architecture may seem like a strange conceptat first thought, but in fact there are many parallels between buildings and life forms.
Living organisms have evolved over millennia in a competitive system that forces them
to optimize their functionality and efficiency that are very important issues, especially
when the environmental imperatives of today are considered. Life forms are often very
beautiful and fascinating and as architecture is also an art, there are obvious relationships
here as well.
These relationships are categorized into two main types:
Aesthetics: Associations, which deal with the look or outward appearance.
Functional: Associations dealing with how things work, energy and waste systems.
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AESTHETIC ASSOCIATIONS
This section will look at associations between the appearance of buildings and
that of living organisms. Architects in their buildings have used visual features of life
forms such as colors, symmetry, patterns and shapes.
The diversity of shapes, colors and patterns in living organisms is utterly
immense. Even though much of living matter is profoundly beautiful, there is a functional
basis to everything. This can range from patterns that camouflage the organisms to avoid
being eaten, to bright colors that attract other creatures for mating or pollination. Forms
evolve to meet environmental conditions, maximizing the ability of the organism to
survive and reproduce.
The beauty of the natural world hasbeen a source of inspiration to
architects and builders for thousands
of years. Egyptian temples were
adorned with plant shaped columns, arranged informations to mimic
forest canopies.
The ancient Greeks corinthian column was a
celebration of nature with its leaf like elements,
while the spirals of the ionic column bring to mind
the graceful shape of sea shells.
This spiral minaret from the Great Mosque of
Samarra (842) in present day Iraq seems to be
clearly inspired by the spiral shape of a seashell.
Unusual buildings arouse curiosity in people.
However, organic forms also seem to always be
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popular with the general public. Curving, flowing shapes are found in all living
organisms. These organic shapes are part of our innate conception of beauty.
Using life forms as a source of decorative inspiration can be quite appealing, and
even useful in the sense that it can attract people to the building, and thus potentially
make it more successful and / or profitable. Elements that are strictly decorative are not
the only way to accomplish this and do not represent the best value. Delving deeper into
natural systems, to find the underlying structural and functional principles, could provide
for a more meaningful and even greater visual appeal than decoration alone.
Every element in a living organism has a purpose; beauty is the result of
good design, not the goal of it. The same principle is applied to architecture.
FUNCTIONAL ASSOCIATIONSThis section will look at some well-established analogies between biological
forms and buildings, particularly in relationship to animals. It is shown how well the
functions of the organisms can be mimicked to emanate efficient functional system in our
buildings.
ENERGY AND WASTE SYSTEMS
Buildings, like animals, input food (energy) and expel waste materials. Building
waste, in the form of combustion emissions or garbage from operations or construction,
often can not be broken down by natural means. This creates an imbalance in the global
system, and is ultimately unsustainable over the long term.
The solutions to this problem are complex but ultimately very simple - buildings
must fit within the global balance of life. Energy inputs must come from sustainable
sources, and waste must be recyclable, either by natural or by technological means. The
Design section will highlight many methods by which this can be achieved.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Animal circulatory systems are often likened to water or air distribution
systems in buildings. Just as many mammals and insects have heat exchangers in their
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circulatory systems, similar systems exist for buildings, which can greatly reduce heat
lost through exhaust air or combustion gases.
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
The ventilation systems are compared to the respiratory system of the living
organisms. Buildings must perform a similar function of warming and filtering outside
oxygen as required. Natural ventilation, if properly designed like by using atriums filled
with plants and water can not only provide pleasurable and relaxing spaces, they provide
pure, humid air which can be used to condition other spaces within the building, reduce
energy consumption and makes the place comfortable.
Building envelopes In buildings the outer walls could be compared to skin.
Currently, most building skins function only to isolate interior from exterior, however
many of the more sophisticated systems employed by animals to stay warm or cool can
be applied to buildings. Ventilated cavity skins work by placing a second layer of glass
on the outside of the usual window or exterior wall. This airspace, traps solar radiations
just like a polar bears black skin or fur do. This heat can be used for heating and
reversibly, to cool the building by opening vents at the top to create a stack effect and
draw cool air into the building.
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The Telus building retrofit in Vancouver by Peter Busby
includes a new second skin with a ventilated cavity over the
existing building facade.
MOVEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE
Most buildings today are static entities, however adding operable elements, which
respond to environmental conditions, has greatpotential to increase energy efficiency.Studying how muscles work could provide valuable clues to make buildings more
responsive and therefore efficient.The capacity for movement would have many
advantages for buildings. These could include:
Solar Tracking - maximizing solar exposure throughout the day
Adjustable Louvers - to tune the building to seasonal changes
Shutter systems - to keep heat in or out.
Wind Catchers - to either capture wind for use in ventilation, mechanical energy or
electrical generation.
The Venezuelan pavilion from Expo 2000 Fruito Vivas and Otto Frei has external panels,
which open and close much like a flower.
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Norman Fosters retrofit of the Reichstag in Berlin
incorporates a rotating shading device in the new
glass dome. In some ways, it mimics the
heliotropism of plants like sunflowers as they move
with the sun.
REFERENCES:
Gyorgy Doczi,(1994) The Power of Limits.Shambhala Publishing Inc., London
http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/ninaaa/
www.nautilus-bio-civil.com.htm
www.Bio-Architecture - ENG.htm
www.biomimicry.htm
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http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/ninaaa/http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/ninaaa/