Architecture Research 2018, 8(1): 1-11

DOI: 10.5923/j.arch.20180801.01

Biomimicry as an Alternative Approach to Sustainability

Mwila Isabel Nkandu*, Halil Zafer Alibaba

Department of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Mersin, Northern Cyprus

Abstract Nature has spent billions of years solving and refining many of the problems we as humans are facing today and
so it is only logical for us to learn from nature’s existing solutions to solve our issues of sustainable design. Although there are
many studies and approaches to designing more sustainable buildings, there is limited research on ecologically sustainable
design approaches that can alleviate waste of resources by understanding the adaptation methods in natural systems. This
research aims to examine biomimicry in architecture as a potential solution to sustainable building design. It analyses the
basic principles and advances in biomimicry in architectural design and discusses five case studies to study how biomimicry
has so far been applied in the built environment. It is expected that this research will reveal how looking to nature for
inspiration can contribute to more sustainable building design by considering the structural efficiency, water efficiency,
thermal environment and energy supply.
Keywords Ecological sustainability, Nature –inspired, Architecture, Zero- waste systems, Regenerative design

occurred in 1948 when George De Mestral, a Swiss engineer

1. Introduction took his dog out hunting and it emerged from the bushes
covered in burrs. After examining the tiny hooks of the burrs,
After over three billion years of research, nature has he discovered a hook system used by the plant to spread
already evolved and solved many of its problems. Animals, seeds by attachment inspired by this, De Mestral created
plants and other organisms have engineered themselves to Velcro. Throughout history, architects have mainly taken
survive and thrive this far without producing any waste and inspiration from nature solely for building forms and
being very efficient with resources. Therefore, mimicking aesthetics. Biomimicry in architecture, however, is an
nature’s forms, systems and processes offers an opportunity applied science that procures not only the aesthetics
to maximise resource efficiency while mitigating the component of nature but also takes lessons from nature to
negative impact of buildings on the environment (Benyus. solve issues in the building functionality. A
1997). multi-disciplinary approach follows a set of ethics rather
Biomimicry is the emulation or imitation of nature in its than taking a stylistic approach. Sustainability is advancing
many forms, systems and processes to solve the most to a new level that accommodates the design of buildings that
pressing challenges faced by our world today. Biomimicry are essential to the natural environment and should support
methods have so far proven to optimize in terms of nature’s work rather than work against it. It has gained a lot
sustainability and efficiency particularly in the fields of of popularity in the last 10 years to solve issues of
design and construction. However, this increasingly sustainability while minimizing the negative impact on
prominent approach has also generated development in other nature (Pedersen. 2005).
fields as diverse as aerodynamics, robotic navigation, There are three objectives, according to Head (2008) to
medicine, clothing design and the detection of water reaching the so-called “Ecological Age” by the year 2050,
pollution (Michael Pawlyn, 2011). these include; “CO2 emission reduction by 80%, ecological
Early examples of biomimicry can be seen in Leonardo Da footprint reduction to 1.44ga/person and to increase human
Vinci’s sketches of a flying machine inspired by the wings of development index improvement.” There is a responsibility
a bat. Another example comes from Fillipo Brunelleschi who on architects to develop optimal ecological methods for
studied the strength of eggshells and designed a thinner, design, construction and performance. This involves
lighter dome for the cathedral in Florence in 1436. In 1809, integrating natural ecological systems into their designs
Naval architect Sir George Cayley designed ship hulls more keeping in mind the human behaviour patterns.
streamlined by studying dolphins. A more famous example This study will take a critical look at biomimicry in
architecture. It is an investigation into its key principles and
* Corresponding author:
mwila.nkandu@gmail.com (Mwila Isabel Nkandu)
concepts. It is a framework for understanding the approaches
Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/arch and levels of biomimicry in design. It discusses some distinct
Copyright © 2018 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved advantages and disadvantages immanent in each biomimicry
2 Mwila Isabel Nkandu et al.: Biomimicry as an Alternative Approach to Sustainability

level as an approach to sustainable building design. The designer recognises their design problem and looks to how
research will look at five existing projects in which the organisms and systems in nature have solved similar
designers looked to nature for inspiration to solve issues problems. One possible drawback of this design approach is
faced in their design process to provide insight on the level of that the issue of how buildings correlate with each other and
biomimicry designers have developed. The aim of this the ecosystem they are part of is not investigated. Therefore,
research is to shed light on biomimicry as an approach; to the underlying causes of non-sustainable or even
showcase how it can help better the issue of sustainability degenerative built environment are not necessarily addressed.
and regenerative design in architecture. Despite this, the Problem-Based approach may be a good
According to an examination conducted by M. Pedersen way to begin the transition of the built environment from
Zari at Victoria University in New Zealand in 2007, two inefficient to a more sustainable environment (McDonough.
distinct approaches to biomimicry as a design approach exist: 2002).
Problem-Based Approach and Solution-Based Approach. The Solution-Based approach is also referred to as
These approaches each have their own advantages, “Biology influencing design”, “Bottom-Up Approach” or
disadvantages and outcomes in terms of overall “Solution-Driven Biologically Inspired Design”. In this
sustainability. approach, biological knowledge influences human design.
This Problem-Based approach was found to have different One advantages of this approach is that the knowledge of
naming in various literatures such as “Design looking to biology may influence the design in ways other than the
biology” (Pedersen Zari, 2007), “Problem Driven predetermined design problem. One disadvantage is that an
Biologically Inspired Design” (Michael Helms, Swaroop S. in-depth biological research must be conducted then the
Vattam and Ashok K. Goel, 2009) and “Top-down Approach” information gathered must be determined as relevant in a
(Jean Knippers, 2009) all having the same meaning. In this design context. (Pedersen Zari, M. 2007)
approach, designers look to nature for solutions. Where a

Table 1. A Framework for the Application of Biomimicry (adapted from Pedersen Zari, 2007)

Level of biomimicry Examples: A building that mimics termites.

Form
The building looks like a termite.
Material
The building is made from the same material as a termite; a material that mimics termite
exoskeleton/skin for example.
Construction The building is made in the same way as a termite; it goes through various growth cycles for
Organism Level (mimicry of example.
a specific organism) Process The building works in the same way as an individual termite; it produces hydrogen efficiently
through meta-genomics for example.
Function The building functions like a termite in a larger context; it recycles cellulose waste and creates soil
for example.

Form
The building looks like it was made by a termite; a replica of a termite mound for example.
Material
The building is made from the same materials that a termite builds with; using digested fine soil
as the primary material for example.
Construction The building is made in the same way that a termite would build in; piling earth in certain places
Behaviour level (Mimicry of at certain time for example.
how an organism behaves or Process The building works in the same way as a termite would build in; piling earth in certain places at
relates to its larger context) certain times for example.
Function The building functions in the same way that it would if made my termites; internal conditions are
regulated to be optimal and thermally stable for example. It may also function in the same that a
termite mound does in a larger context,

Form The building looks an ecosystem (a termite would live in)

Material The building is made from the same kind of material that (a termite) ecosystem in made of; it uses
naturally occurring common compounds, and water as the primary chemical medium for example.
Construction The building is assembled in the same way as a (termite) ecosystem; principles of succession and
Eco-system level (Mimicry increasing complexity over time are used for example
of an eco-system) The building works in the same way as a (termite) ecosystem; it captured and converts energy from
Process
the sun, and stores water for example.
The building is able to function in the same way that a (termite)ecosystem would and forms part of a
Function complex system by utilising the relationships between processes; it is able to participate in the
hydrological, carbon, nitrogen cycles etc in a similar way to an ecosystem for example
 Architecture Research 2018, 8(1): 1-11 3

After examination carried out by Janine Benyus in her  Does it run on sunlight?
1997 book, it is apparent that the approaches discussed above  Does it use only the energy it needs?
further divide into three levels of mimicry, these are; form  Does it fit form to function?
(Organism), process (Behaviour) and eco-system. These  Does it recycle everything?
levels help define the kinds of biomimicry that have evolved.  Does it reward cooperation?
They provide a framework for designers who wish to employ  Does it rely on diversity?
biomimicry methods to improve the sustainability for the  Does it utilize local expertise?
built environment to identify which approach to take. This  Does it curb excess from within?
will help designers determine which aspect of “bio” to  Does it tap the power of limits?
“mimic” (Pedersen Zari, M. 2007).  Is it Beautiful?
The organism level entails the designer looking at the McDonough and Braungart believe that biomimicry as a
form of a specific organism analysing how it functions; the design approaches presents a solution for a more ecological,
designer can choose to mimic a part or the organism as a sustainable and regenerative built environment.
whole. The behaviour level, involves the imitation of how an “From my designer’s perspective, I ask: Why can’t I
organism interacts with its immediate environment in order design a building like a tree? A building that makes oxygen,
to build a structure that can fit in without resistance in its fixes nitrogen, sequesters carbon, distils water, builds soil,
surrounding environment. The third level, involves accrues solar energy as fuel, makes complex sugars and food,
mimicking of how an organism interacts with the creates microclimates, changes colours with the seasons and
environment and how many components work together; this self-replicates. This is using nature as a model and a mentor,
tends to be on the urban scale or a larger project with not as an inconvenience. It’s a delightful prospect…”
multiple elements rather than a solitary structure (McDonough and Braungart, 1998).
(Biomimicry guild, 2007). According to Baumeister (2014), it is only when all three
levels of biomimicry (Organism, Behaviour and eco-system)
have been taken into account will the design ‘behave like a
2. Literature Review well-adapted organism’ and ‘create conditions conducive to
The term ‘Biomimicry’ was first coined in 1962, but has life.
just recently gained popularity. ‘Biomimicry’ comes from
the Greek word bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to
imitate. One of the first written descriptions of Biomimicry 3. Methodology
came from Janine Benyus in 1997; she describes Biomimicry
The type of research used in this study comprises of
as “The conscious emulation of nature’s genius” (Benyus
examination of the latest researches relating to Biomimicry
J.M. 1997), while for Pawlyn it is “Mimicking the functional
in architecture. The study investigates the how and why
basis of biological forms, processes and systems to produce
various designers applied Biomimicry methods into their
sustainable solutions” (Pawlyn M., 2011).
projects. It will look at the three levels of Biomimicry and
Many believe a biomimicry approach can not only
conduct case studies under each level. Of the five projects
drastically reduce the CO2 emission but save on cost. “It is
that were analysed, one represents the Organism level, one
possible to cut carbon emissions and save money.” says
represents the Behavioural level and three represent the
Michael Pawlyn. “The key to it is innovation.”
Eco-system level. The projects are as listed below:
There are characteristics of the way buildings is designed,
produced and viewed and it is our job as architects to ensure  Organism level: 30 St Mary Axe A.K.A Gherkin Tower,
the coherence of the buildings we design with its users and United Kingdom
the environments it is in. We cannot alienate ourselves from  Behavioural level: East gate mall, Zimbabwe.
the immediate surrounding we are building in.  Eco-system Level: Cardboard to caviar project, United
“The most irrevocable of these laws says that a species Kingdom, Sahara forest project, Qatar, Jordan and
cannot occupy a niche that appropriates all resources- there Tunisia and the Eden project, United Kingdom
has to be some sharing. Any species that ignores this law Overall, these five case studies have been carefully chosen
winds up destroying its community to support its own and thoroughly analysed in order to understand the way in
expansion” (Benyus J.M. 1997). which biomimicry is integrated effectively into the design
In her book published in 1997 “Biomimicry: Innovation project. They were selected because they successfully
Inspired by Nature”, Janine Benyus formulated a set of represent the way in which 21st century architects and
questions that can be used to establish the level of designers are taking inspiration from nature and applying in
biomimicry our designs (Bob & McLennan. 2004). When into their design producing design that are much more
face with a problem in the process of designing something efficient and ecologically sustainable than most design
we must ask ourselves “Is there a precedent for this in projects today. Close attention has been paid to the eco
nature?” if so then the answer to the following questions system level because it holds the most potential to produce
must be ‘Yes’; buildings that are not only highly sustainable but also
4 Mwila Isabel Nkandu et al.: Biomimicry as an Alternative Approach to Sustainability

regenerative. Doing so will show how biomimicry is and has underwater environment with strong water currents and its
been applied to architect and provide an insight on the lattice-like exoskeleton and round shape help disperse those
possible ways to expand and delve deeper into the design stresses in various directions and its round shape reduce
approach. forces due to strong water currents.
Given the fact that Biomimicry in architecture is still an
emerging discipline, many designers are still trying to
understand and find ways to apply this approach in their
design and so there are very few examples that implemented
it at a grand scale. Therefore, these projects have been
mindfully chosen as they represent the current general way
designers have integrated of biomimicry in architecture
theoretically and practically to show the potential impact
biomimicry can have as an ecological sustainable design
practice in a wider context.

4. Findings
4.1. Organism Level
Figure 1. Venus Basket sponge (left) Gherkin tower (right)
The organism level approach may help to understand the
negative environmental impact that human activities have on The curved sides allow winds to pass easily around the
the worlds and its many of its ecosystems. For billions of building, rather than deflecting down to street level to blast
years organisms have withstood and adapted to many pedestrians. Because more air can flow around the side of a
changes over time. Humans therefore, have a wide variety of cylinder than the corner of a rectangle, its speed increases,
examples to study and draw solutions for problems that have causing a higher negative air potential at the back of the
already been addressed, particularly in the use of energy and building. Architects Norman Foster and Sons used this to
materials effectively. As Baumeister (2007) points out, “The drive a natural ventilation system.
research has already been done”. (Alberti et al. 2003) Inspired by the hexagonal skin of the Venus flower sponge,
A disadvantage, however of mimicking an organism is the main structure of the building is aluminium coated steel
that without mimicking how it interacts and contributes to diagrid structure. Yoram Eilon, vice president of engineering
the ecosystem at larger context, it has the potential to firm WSP Cantor Seinuk, describes the Diagrid structure as
produce designs that are below average in terms of the “a series of triangles that combine gravity and lateral
impact it will have on the environment. (Reap et al. 2005) support into one, making the building to be stiff, efficient and
The case study being conducted under the organism level lighter than a traditional high-rise”. The Diagrid divides the
is the 30 St Mary Axe. tower height into a series of modules this is referred to as a
vertical cantilever. This freestanding structure has no
4.1.1. 30 St Mary Axe A.K.A Gherkin Tower (2003) columns, which allows for uninterrupted interior office space
This building takes inspiration from the Venus Flower with revolving triangular atriums (see Figure 2 below).
Basket Sponge (see Figure 1 below). This sponge sits in an (Vikram Bengani, 2015)

Figure 2. Diagrid structure with core in the centre (left) and Construction of core and Diagrid structure (right)
 Architecture Research 2018, 8(1): 1-11 5

Figure 3. Floor plan showing lightwells (left), Sketches showing movement of natural light and air through lightwells (right)

Figure 4. Section of the building (Left) and typical floor layout (Right)

The building has a 5-degree rotation between each floor shape of the tower, which allows wind to pass smoothly
plate to incorporate wedge shaped lightwells. These around it. Another advantage of the is the efficacious
lightwells allow light and air to reach each floor of the implementation of passive cooling , heating, ventilating and
building. (See Figure 3 above) lighting techniques through the use of double skin façade. In
A double skin façade was selected in order to maximize addition, the use of rotated floor slabs produce lightwells,
sun exposure. The outer skin of the building is composed of which provide each floor with natural day lighting and
mullions and triangular shaped windows, while the inner ventilation. (Vikram Bengani. 2015)
wall is made of sliding glass doors made accessible only to However, this design does pose some disadvantages and
maintenance. In between the two walls is a space with a row threats. A massive building such as the Gherkin Tower made
of horizontal shading devices. These double walls also of glass gives rise to a few problems that presents a danger to
contain venting flaps to allow hot air to travel up and out of its users, as was the case when one of the numerous glass
the building (Sahil Virmani, 2014). panels fell off in 2005 when a window fell from the 28th floor
The design of this tower presents some advantages that to the plaza below. Another drawback in the design of glass
make it very effective. Firstly, the building has minimal skyscrapers is the sun glare from the glass. This creates
windblast of pedestrians at street level, due to the cylindrical discomfort for the pedestrians and drivers below and can
6 Mwila Isabel Nkandu et al.: Biomimicry as an Alternative Approach to Sustainability

result in accidents as the strong glare may disrupt your vision. Termites constantly open and close a series of heating and
Despite this, the gherkin tower does prove more efficient cooling vents in the mounds throughout the course of the day;
than most buildings its size, credit can be given to the this keeps the building temperature regulated all day (See
biomimicry design methods used by the designers. (Martin Figure 5 below). The East gate building operates in the
Wainwright, 2005). similar way; outside air is drawn in through vertical ducts on
the first floor and is either warmed or cooled by the building
4.2. Behavioural Level mass depending on which is hotter the building concrete or
The behavioural level is based on the fact that a vast the air. It is then pushed into the building’s floors through the
number of organisms have learnt to operate within the central spine of the two buildings before exiting via
capacity of specific environmental conditions and within the chimneys at the top. (Abigail Doan.2012) (See Figure. 6
limits of energy and material availability, they encounter the below).
same environmental conditions that humans do and therefore
need to solve similar issues that humans face. These limits as
well as pressures that create ecological niche adaptations in
ecosystems mean not only well-adapted organisms continue
to evolve, but all well-adapted organism behaviours and
relationship patterns between organisms or species (Reap et
al. 2005).

4.2.1. The East gate Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe

Indigenous Zimbabwean masonry and the self-cooling
mounds of African termites inspired the East gate centre
design; it stays regulated year round with dramatically less
energy consumption using design methods. Zimbabwe has a
temperate climate because of its altitude with temperatures
ranging from 7-27 Degrees Celsius this makes passive
heating and cooling a possible alternative to mechanical
methods. This mid-rise building designed by architect Mick
Pearce in collaboration with Arup engineers, has no
conventional air-conditioning or heating. It uses less than
10% of the energy of a conventional building its size through
passive cooling and heating techniques (Michael Pawlyn, Figure 5. Showing air circulation in a typical termite mound
2011).

Figure 6. Air circulation in East gate buildings

 Architecture Research 2018, 8(1): 1-11 7

Figure 7. Thermal regulation of the concrete slab. In East gate mall

Figure 8. Cardboard to Caviar project

There are two buildings are joined together by steel  The window to wall ratio are must not exceed 25%.
bridges this makes the building open to the local breezes.  Windows must be light filter, controlling glare, noise
The bridges are suspended on cables from steel lattice beams, and security.
these bridges span over the atrium below. On top of the  Because of noise pollution and unpredictable wind
bridges lies a glass roof. Both buildings have protruding pressures and temperatures, windows must be sealed
stone elements to protect the windows from the surface area with ventilation relying solely on the duct system.
of the building façade to improve heat loss by night and (Shiva Shankar. 2016)
minimize heat gain by day. Below is a study conducted in
1998 of the way the East gate building successfully regulates 4.3. Eco-System Level
the temperatures of the internal area of the building, the Benyus (1997) and Vincent (2007) describe the
outside air and of the concrete slab (Figure 7) (Michael mimicking of ecosystems as an integral part of biomimicry.
Pawlyn, 2011). An advantage of mimicking at this level of biomimicry is
After a detailed simulation, the engineering company that it can be used in conjunction with other levels of
(Arup engineers) gave Pearce a set of rules to follow in his biomimicry (organism and behaviour). The most important
design: advantage of such an approach to biomimetic design
 The external walls on the North façade must not have however may be the potential positive effects on overall
any direct sunlight falling on them. environmental performance.
8 Mwila Isabel Nkandu et al.: Biomimicry as an Alternative Approach to Sustainability

4.3.1. The Cardboard to Caviar Project in Wakefield UK plants to grow.

The cardboard to Caviar project (also known as the The salt extracted from the evaporation process are
“ABLE project”) is an example of a closed loop system in crystallised at different stages to extract various elements.
which no waste is produced and a much greater productivity The first things to crystallise out the evaporated saltwater is
is yielded. Graham Wiles initiated this project, at every stage calcium carbonate followed by sodium chlorite; these
of the project; he applied the biomimetic principle of using elements can both be compressed into building blocks. Many
waste as a resource to feed another process. other elements present in seawater are reused in other ways
The project begins with collecting empty cardboard boxes to minimize the waste (Michael Pawlyn 2011).
from restaurants and using them as horse bedding in the Concentrated solar power involves concentrating the heat
stables. The soiled cardboard is then collected and used to from the sun with solar tracking mirrors to create steam that
establish a wormery composting system. With the abundance drives conventional turbines; this produces zero carbon
of bait, Wiles decided to establish a small-scale Siberian electricity, which is twice as effective as photovoltaics
sturgeon fishery. The sturgeon then produces caviar, which (Biomimicry and the Sahara Forest Project. n.d).
is sold back to the restaurants. This demonstrating the This project offers a solution to restoring forests and
possibility to turn what would be considered a waste material creating a solution for vegetation of deserts as a source of
into a high value product while also generating numerous food, water and energy in an otherwise resource
social, economic and environmental benefits (Michael –constrained area of the world.
Pawlyn, 2011). “…the Sahara Forest project is a model for how we can
create zero carbon food, abundant renewable energy in
4.3.2. Sahara Forest Project Qatar, Tunisia and Jordan some of the most water stressed parts of the of the planet as
well as reversing desertification in certain areas” (Michael
A greenhouse project that took inspiration from the
Pawlyn 2011).
Namibian fog-basking beetle, which has found its own way
to evolve its own fresh water in a desert and to regulate its 4.3.3. The Eden Project (2001) in Cornwall, England
body temperature by accumulating heat by day and
Grimshaw architects designed this project, they are a
collecting the water droplets formed on its wings by the fog.
company in which Michael Pawlyn practiced and was a core
The greenhouse design emulates this beetle to combat
part of the architectural team that designed the Eden project
climate change in an arid climate. (Michael Pawlyn 2011).
in the year 2000. Grimshaw Architects looked to nature to
build an effective spherical shape. It has two huge artificial
enclosures; each enclosure emulates a natural biome. Soap
bubbles inspired the forms of the biomes and cellular
structures inspired the hexagonal frames. A biome is a
natural occurring community of flora occupying a major
habitat. The artificial biomes in the Eden project feature a
humid tropic rainforest and Mediterranean biome. (Michael
Pawlyn, 2011)

Figure 9. Sahara Forest project Tunisia

The Exploration Architecture design team, strived to

design an eco-system that was not only sustainable but also
regenerative. Three core components drove the design of the
greenhouse; the major one being a creating a saltwater
cooled greenhouse, concentrated solar power (CSP) and
Figure 10. Eden Project
technologies for desert vegetation. (An Oasis of Green
Building. n.d) The Humid Tropics Biome recreates the natural
Saltwater cooled greenhouses present suitable conditions environment of a tropical rainforest. The warm, humid
for year round cultivation. To create a saltwater cooled enclosure is home to hundreds of trees and other plants from
greenhouse Charlie Paton created system to provide rainforests in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia
evaporative cooling and humidification in the greenhouse such as fruiting banana plants, coffee, rubber and giant
structure using saltwater. The evaporated air condenses to bamboo; it is kept at a tropical temperature and moisture
fresh water allowing the greenhouse to remain heated at level. The dome is 240 metres long, 55 metres high and
night. This system produces more water than the interior measures 110 metres across at its widest point. (Michael
plants need so the excess is spewed out for the surrounding Pawlyn, 2015)
 Architecture Research 2018, 8(1): 1-11 9

The Mediterranean biome has varied plant life from made from three layers of a material called Ethylene
temperate rainforests in Southern Africa, the Mediterranean Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) welded together along the sides
and California. The Mediterranean biome covers (1.6 acres) and on top of one another. These layers have air pumped into
and measures 35 metres high, 65 metres wide, and 135 them this increases the level of insulation without affecting
metres long and houses familiar warm temperate and arid the amount of sunlight shining through the material. The
plants such as olives and grape vines and various sculptures amount of air in between the layers is adjustable, during the
(Michael Pawlyn, 2015). winter, the pillows are pumped with more air to increase the
amount of insulation and they are partially deflated during
the summer to allow more cooling in the space. The pillows
are built to detach easily from the steel frame, so they can be
replaced should a more efficient material come along. One
advantage of the geodesic dome shape is that it adapts easily
to most ground surfaces. (Murray-White, 2010)
The use of inflated Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE),
a material that is both light and strong, (1% of the weight of
double glazing) provides other benefits such as a lighter steel
frame, letting in more sunlight and adding solar gain also and
it costs 1/3 less than the traditional glass solution. The final
superstructure weighs less than the air it contains. (Michael
Pawlyn, 2015.

Figure 11. The Eden project

5. Discussions
This study looked at how biomimicry fits into sustainable
design practices in order to provide efficient ecological
designs with moderate use of materials and energy at a macro
scale. It also looked at how biomimicry is currently applied
in theory and in practice specifically in the field of
architecture. It discusses the two different approaches to
biomimicry in architecture and presents some advantages
and disadvantages of each approach.
Biomimicry as an architectural design method presents a
suitable solution to the current sustainability predicament
without affecting the environment negatively. The five case
Figure 12. ETFE pillows studies conducted in this research, reveal that biomimicry
aids in resource efficiency. It has great potential to pave the
way in the production of ecological sustainable designs, zero
waste systems and an overall regenerative built environment
thereby not only positively affecting human life as a whole
but also working with nature instead of against it.
An effective biomimetic approach to architectural design
requires the development of design methods that take into
consideration the modelling of behaviour, the constraints of
Figure 13. Cross section of Eden project materials and the influence of environmental factors. This
requires an in-depth understanding of form, material and
structure not separately but rather as having complex
interrelations.
Some critics argue that biomimicry is an indefinite and
broad way to approach sustainability, stating that, to apply it
effectively requires an extensive study with the help of
multiple disciplines. While others criticise that the principle
of biomimicry separates man from nature without
acknowledging his eminent role in the eco system.
Figure 14. Schematic site section
The concept of biomimicry is still in the developing phase
Each of the biomes consists of several geodesic domes and is not largely applied as a design method. To execute it
joined together. These domes are made of hexagonal pillows, successfully at a grand scale requires the co-operation of
10 Mwila Isabel Nkandu et al.: Biomimicry as an Alternative Approach to Sustainability

multiple disciplines such as biologists, ecologists and [4] Baumeister, D. (2007). Evolution of the Life's Principles
designers who can establish the relationships between the Butterfly Diagram. In M. P. Zari, Biomimetic Approaches to
Architectural Design for Increased Sustainability. [Personal
organism and systems in nature and the needs of humans in Communication].
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sustainable built environment. [5] Baumeister, D. (2014). Biomimicry Resource Handbook - A
seedbank of best practice.
[6] Benyus J.M. (1997). Biomimicry Innovation inspired by
6. Conclusions nature. New York. Marrow.

The built environment accounts for a majority of the [7] Berkebile, B McLennan, J. (2004). The Living Building;
world’s global environmental and social problems with vast Biomimicry in Architecture, and Integrating Technology with
Nature.
proportions of waste, material, energy use and greenhouse
gas emissions (Mazria, 2003, Doughty and Hammond, 2004). [8] Biomimicry Inspired by Nature Guild (2007). Innovation
There is a rapidly growing demand for an effective Work Book, Biomimicry Guild.
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