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American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2022, Vol. 10, No. 3, 126-136
Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajcea/10/3/3
Published by Science and Education Publishing
DOI:10.12691/ajcea-10-3-3
Inspiration from Nature: Biomimicry as a Paradigm for
Architectural and Environmental Design
Osama Nasir, Mohammad Arif Kamal*
Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
*Corresponding author:
Received July 28 2022; Revised September 05, 2022; Accepted September 14, 2022
Abstract Nature serves as a compass for all the sciences. Nature was and continues to be the first teacher for
humanity. A certain area of study advances through observing and copying nature. This area of research, known as
biomimicry, can be characterized as the imitation of organic biological processes. Just like scientists and designers,
architects can find inspiration in nature. Like many other professions, the realm of architectural design holds that
behavior resembles nature. For instance, it is used as a source of inspiration for architectural designs, building
materials, and aesthetic and environmental systems. To draw conclusions and develop solutions from nature to all
fields of science and architecture, there are not enough investigations. A new field of study known as "Biomimicry"
has emerged, and it is an innovation strategy that seeks sustainable solutions by modeling nature's time-tested
patterns. In this context, the research paper discusses biomimicry, a recent development in the field of architecture,
the idea of nature as inspiration; the concept of biomimicry, its levels, its application to architecture, and how to
think about design and nature in the context of architectural sustainability.
Keywords: Biomimicry, sustainability, nature, energy efficiency, architecture
Cite This Article: Osama Nasir, and Mohammad Arif Kamal, “Inspiration from Nature: Biomimicry as a
Paradigm for Architectural and Environmental Design.” American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture,
vol. 10, no. 3 (2022): 126-136. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-10-3-3.
1. Introduction
Energy offers "necessary services" for human life, such
as heat for warmth, cooking, and manufacturing, or power
for transportation and mechanical activity, so concerns
about a reliable energy future are only normal. The inefficient
design of buildings is currently wasting a significant quantity
of primary energy globally in the twenty-first century.
Additionally to the operation of the machinery utilized to
transform energy into the necessary services. As a result,
there has been an encouraging rise in awareness of energy
efficiency and conservation, which has compelled the
investigation and use of a range of design methods and
solutions to address energy issues. One of these strategies
is called "biomimicry," which is an innovation strategy
that uses the study of natural designs, systems, and
processes to solve human problems as its source of
inspiration. We can learn from nature about systems,
components, methods, architectures, and aesthetics. By
looking at how nature resolves issues that we now face,
we can extract and explore solutions that are appropriate
and new approaches for our constructed surroundings.
Many efforts are made to attain sustainability through
innovative designs and concepts, the use of clever
materials, and energy-saving practices. There have been
numerous attempts to create international sustainability
standards, however not all have resulted in really
sustainable architecture practices. On the path to finding a
solution to the problems facing the globe and determining
the best approaches to make building designs integrate
with the ecosystem rather than acting as an outsider that
contributes to environmental imbalance, The research
demands that ecosystems and species be simulated that
will function sustainably throughout time and in harmony
with the environment. It also addresses the most recent
and effective ways to do this. A solution to the issues
affecting our environment is provided by biomimicry.
Because of its potential to produce a more regenerative
built environment, biomimicry serves as a source of
inspiration for prospective new innovations.
The studies suggest that using nature's tried-and-true
principles and techniques; architecture design should
incorporate a biomimicry phase into its design process and
"biologize" its design issues. The Biomimicry Institute defines
“biologize” as a biomimetic approach used to evaluate
design criteria [1]. The goal of this strategy is to "copy
form, process, and ecosystem at all levels of design" by
"modelling, mentoring, and measuring" nature [1,2].
"Doing it nature's way" [3] potentially have an impact on
how design problems are resolved with sustainable
solutions because nature has already provided solutions to
many of the issues that designers are currently facing.
The process of biomimicry has not been properly
incorporated into standard practice by the experts in the
field. Only a few people in the industry have suggested the
biomimetic approach as an alternative way. The number
127 American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
of biological discoveries is increasing exponentially, and
designers ought to use these cutting-edge solutions. Since
nature is all around us, designers who take the time to
"biologize" [1] and learn about how ecosystems function
will be inspired and better equipped to develop interior
spaces that mimic nature.
The field of architecture has successfully blended
architectural principles and biomimicry to create remarkable
environments. This research examines case studies for the
same. Also the principles of biomimicry as a strategy for
sustainable and effective design are covered in the paper
that follows the Design Process which Nature and Architects
use to solve the problems. This study's goal is to offer
recommendations for using biomimicry principles in building
design concepts and energy management procedures.
2. Nature as Inspiration
The most significant source of inspiration and innovation
for architects is nature.
There is no denying that the natural world serves as the
most creative architect's primary source of inspiration. No
matter how beautiful the adaptability between ecosystems
and creatures is or the limitless formations. Modern
research suggests that some architects get inspiration for
their designs from the natural world. Frank Lloyd Wright
is one such architect who did this by studying natural laws
and the surroundings. He was able to comprehend how to
extract structural configuration of structures from the
environment. As an illustration, Frank Lloyd Wright
designed the interior pillars for Johnson Wax's
administrative offices in Racine, Wisconsin, USA,
between 1936 and 1939, using the mushroom's structural
principles [4]. The spiral ramp of the Guggenheim
Museum was inspired by seashells in 1943.
Figure 1. Mushroom shaped columns in the administrative building of
Johnson Wax Building by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1936
Wright took inspiration from mushrooms for the design
of a column expansive header (Figure 1).
Figure 2. Upward spiral ramp at the Guggenheim Museum by Frank
Lloyd Wright
The "Wright" from the shell was inspired by the
upward spiral ramp design (Figure 2).
3. Biomimicry: The Study Context
Both biomimicry and biomimetic are emerging sciences
that study natural materials with the goal of creating
human-centered solutions by copying or drawing
inspiration from them. The biomimicry idea covered in
this paper is a new field of work that chooses natural laws
and develops materials and procedures in accordance with
laws that have preserved life for 3.8 billion years. In a
nutshell, "the invention that gets inspired by nature" is
what biomimicry is.
The idea of biomimicry was first proposed by
Montanan writer and science enthusiast Janine M. Benyus.
Benyus believed that the examples seen in nature should
be imitated after reflecting on the marvels he had
witnessed.
The mechanisms and patterns in nature that inspire
appreciation have the potential to advance or improve
many technological fields. This potential is becoming
more and clearer every day as a result of the growth of
human knowledge and the advancement of technology.
After Janine M. Benyus treated the idea of biomimicry as
a science, his colleagues and individuals with a keen
interest in the subject helped to broaden its application.
The field that particularly interested scientists and
designers started to be actively practiced. Consequently,
biomimicry emerged as a technique that produced fruitful
outcomes and was adopted by a variety of professions [5].
Both biomimetic and biomimicry strive to find
solutions to issues by first analyzing, then copying, or
taking inspiration from natural models.
3.1. Biomimetic
The term "biomimetic" refers to the materials, tools,
systems, and other devices utilized by people to mimic
natural patterns and designs.
3.2. Biomimicry
A solar cell that was inspired by a leaf is an example of
how biomimicry, an innovation technique, seeks out
sustainable solutions by copying nature's time-tested patterns
and tactics. Since Janine Benyus, a biological science writer,
gave the innovative concept a name and a purpose, biomimicry
has gained popularity as a way to lessen human impact on
the environment [6]. The aim is to develop new products,
processes, and policies—new ways of living—that are
well-adapted to life on earth over the long term.
"Nature is my mentor for business and design, a model
for the way of life. Nature's system has worked for
millions of years... Biomimicry is a way of learning
from nature." [7].
4. Levels of Biomimicry
When a design issue arises, there are three basic stages
of biomimicry that can be used: mimicking an ecosystem,
American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 128
taking inspiration from nature for the creation, and
mimicking an organism's behavior. Form, process, and
ecosystem are a few of these [8]. In the first level, an
individual organism, such as a plant or animal, is
mimicked in whole or in part. The second level of
behavior mimicry may involve translating a specific
component of an organism's behavior or how it pertains to
a wider environment. The third stage involves imitating
entire ecosystems and the universal ideas that underlie
their successful operation. Nature can provide a solution
by evaluating the organism or ecosystem, shape, and
process. It is crucial to identify the component of biology
that is mimicked for this application [9]. It is referred to as
levels. Figure 3 shows the different levels of biomimicry.
Figure 3. Levels of biomimicry
5. Approaches for Biomimicry
By employing natural phenomena as a source of design
inspiration to stably address human problems, biomimicry
brings our contemporary ideology closer to the natural
world. Biomimicry aims to take Mother Nature as a model,
a yardstick, and a mentor in order to connect the built
environment to the natural world. This strategy is justified
by the idea that "the more our world resembles this natural
world in appearance and operation, the more likely it is
that others will accept us on this home that is ours, but not
solely ours [10]".
As a design methodology, biomimicry approaches often
fall into two categories: Design looking to biology refers
to the process of defining a human need or design
challenge and exploring how other organisms or
ecosystems address it. Design influencing biology refers
to the process of identifying a specific characteristic,
behavior, or function in an organism or ecosystem and
incorporating it into human designs [11].
Table 1. Comparison between nature as a model, measure & mentor
Nature as model Nature as measure Nature as mentor
Biomimicry is a new
science that studies
nature’s model and
then imitates or takes
inspiration from these
designs and processes
to solve human
problems, example: a
solar cell inspired by
leaf.
Biomimicry uses an
ecological standard to
judge the “”rightness”
of our innovations.
After 3.8 billion years
of evolution, nature
has learned: what
works, what is
appropriate. What
lasts?
Biomimicry is a new
way of viewing and
valuing nature.
Introduces an era
based not on what
we can extract from
the natural world,
but on what we can
learn from it.
5.1. Design Looking to Biology
When using this strategy, designers must first define the
challenges they are trying to solve and then work with
biologists to match those problems to organisms that have
already found solutions. Design professionals who
establish the initial goals and constraints for the design
effectively lead this technique.
The Robotic Arm Inspired by the Elephant's Trunk is an
illustration of such a strategy (Figure 4). Achieving
freedom of movement was one of the biggest challenges
faced by scientists while trying to create a robotic arm. A
robot's arm must be capable of all the motions needed to
complete that specific task in order for it to be of any use.
God gave each creature in nature the capacity to move
their limbs in a way that satisfies their needs. The elephant
can do jobs requiring the greatest care and sensitivity
since it can move its trunk in any direction it pleases. The
superiority of the elephant trunk's design is amply
demonstrated by one robotic arm created in the US at Rice
University. The trunk lacks any singular skeleton-like
structure, giving it great flexibility and lightness. On the
other hand, the robotic arm has a spine. The robotic arm
has 32 degrees of freedom spread across 16 links while the
elephant's trunk has a degree of motion that allows it to
move in any direction. This merely serves to demonstrate
that the elephant trunk is a unique structure whose every
specific characteristic illuminates the nature of God's
immaculate design throughout creation [6].
Figure 4. A robotic arm inspired by the Elephant’s trunk
5.1. Influence of Biology on Design
When biological information affects human design, the
collaborative design process initially depends on people
being familiar with pertinent biological or ecological
research rather than on difficulties with identified human
design. An example of such an approach is the constantly
self-cleaning lotus. The leaves of the lotus plant, a white
water lily, are always clean even though it grows in the
muddy, filthy bottom of lakes and ponds. This is so
because the plant waves its leaf as soon as even the
smallest dust particle touches it, guiding the dust particles
to a specific area. Raindrops that land on the leaves are
directed to the same location, washing any dirt there
with them. Researchers created new house paint as a
result of this lotus's characteristic. Researchers started
experimenting with how to create paints that wash clean in
the rain, much like lotus leaves do. Following this
experiment, the German company ISPO created the
Lotusan brand of interior paint (Figure 5). The product
also came with a guarantee that it would remain clean for
five years without detergents or sandblasting when it was
sold in Europe and Asia [16].
129 American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Figure 5. The constantly self-cleaning Lotus
6. Applications of Biomimicry
The roots of the term "biomimicry" are "bios" (life) and
"mimesis" (to resemble). Similar to that, this idea, which
includes the terms "biomimetic," "biomimesis,"
"biognosis," and "bionic," is used in several disciplines for
research and studies to create more advanced technology
by taking inspiration from nature. By materializing the
"possible solutions and solution potential in nature," and
in fact materializing disciplines with an interaction that
brings them together, biomimicry-which may be translated
as "learning the best opinions of nature by copying
them"—started to be seen as a new science. Beyond using
nature as a role model, people now use it as a benchmark
for comparison and a mentor, learning lessons instead of
simply viewing it for experiences. Benyus claims that if
this learning process is allowed to continue and expand to
other areas, "a biomimetic revolution" will occur in the
ensuing years. Similar to Benyus's prediction, the
ability to model, analyses, and observe properties like
self-healing, silence, stylistic and structural characteristics
that guarantee energy conservation, resistance to static
and dynamic charge and the necessary durability, and
lightness of the forms and materials in nature draw
scientists' attention to both animate and inanimate
formations [13].
Many industries, including transportation, the auto
industry, electronics, and apparel, have used biomimicry.
Biomimicry can give new technology improvements and
help to advance numerous fields through biological study
[14].
6.1. Biomimicry in Architecture
Jencks noted that the last ten years of the 20th century
were particularly productive years for architecture for
biological engineering under the influence of the
biomorphic notion while discussing architectural concepts
in his book Architecture 2000 Predictions and Methods
[15].
Figure 6. (a) Crystal Palace by James Paxston; (b) Falling Water by
Frank Lloyd Wright
In architecture, biomimicry is used frequently. One
such instance dates back to 1851, when James Paxton
used his observations of enormous water lilies to create
the structural framework of the Crystal Palace. He was
also influenced by these lilies in the Stratsbourg lily house.
By imitating the biological structure models created by the
German scientist Haeckel in the 19th century15, Robert
Le Ricolais, a French professor at the University of
Pennsylvania, created structural models in the middle of
the 20th century. Many designers of the same century, like
Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, were influenced
by nature. While incorporating organic architecture
into his designs, Frank Lloyd Wright avoided using nature
as a dominant feature. Figure 6 illustrates how he made
use of water as a natural element by depicting falling
American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 130
water. His entire outlook was that nature invites
architecture and the other way around. According to Le
Corbusier, "the big new word in architecture and
planning" is biology [16].
Buildings in the desert heat without cooling systems
were created using ant nests as models (Eastgate Binas,
Zimbabwe). After examining how the Morpho butterfly's
wings respond to light, the clothing industry produced a
fabric that does not include chemical pigment
(Morphotex). Calatrava's creations at the Art and Science
Centre in Valencia and the Milkwaukee Art Museum have
shapes like eyes or birds.
Figure 7. (a) Eastgate Building – Zimbabwe; (b) Ant nest; (c) The
system of ventilation
These examples of nature-inspired design in
architecture demonstrate the use of biomimicry,
particularly in terms of form, structure, and texture. The
Bahai House of Worship takes its form from the lotus
flower, while the Armadillo Concert Hall takes its name
from the animal that served as inspiration (Clyde
Auditorium) as illustrated in Figure 8.
Figure 8. (a) Armadillo Concert Hall; (b) Baha’i House of Worship
7. Biomimicry Supporting Architectural
and Environmental Design
According to past researches on nature as a source of
inspiration and levels of nature imitation, each level of
nature imitation can effectively address key architectural
and environmental issues. These are demonstrated by the
following examples:
7.1. The First Level: Nature as Inspiration for
the Design Formation
God gave the natural world a complete look with a wide
variety of forms that are successful in withstanding the
environment despite various conditions. Many structural
systems were influenced by natural formations, as
illustrated by the following example, Bird’s Nest Stadium
in China (Figure 9). The Bird's Nest Stadium was
constructed by the Chinese government and the Swiss
firm "Her Zog et De Mevron." Because the iron bars
resemble a bird's nest, the stadium was given this name. It
was created by modelling bird nests, which are made of
organic materials like grass and branches. The Bird's
Nest's structure is innovative in terms of structural
systems and how loads should be distributed (Figure 10).
In order to mimic temperatures, wind speed, and humidity
inside the structure of birds' nests and to provide the
audience with the opportunity to experience light, the
designers of the Bird's Nest used the simulation technique
(CFD) [17].
Figure 9. Bird’s Nest Stadium in China
Figure 10. Exploded Axonometric of Beijing National Stadium
The Achievement of Sustainability through Design:
• The Bird's Nest's uses a simulation to create a
sturdy structural system.
131 American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
• Its distinctive architectural formation, which
reaches the aesthetic values. Not to mention that
modelling natural lighting and ventilation systems
helped to rationalize energy use, which in turn
helped to save operating expenses.
• Lowering pollution produced by the structure as a
result of rationalizing energy use.
7.2. The Second Level: Mimicry of How an
Organism Behaves
There are many species that are subject to the same
environmental challenges that people are, yet these
organisms work to find solutions to their issues within the
constraints of the energy and material resources available,
and they continue to do so even as the environmental
challenges change. In behavior level biomimicry, the
organism's behavior is imitated rather than the creature
itself. It could be able to simulate the interactions between
different species or groups of animals in some ways. An
illustration of process and function in architecture, the
CH2 Building in Melbourne, Australia, and Mick Pearce's
Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe, (Figure 11) both
use biomimicry at the behavior level. To provide a
thermally stable interior environment, both buildings
incorporate passive ventilation and temperature control
strategies found in termite mounds. Similar to how some
termite species would use the closeness of aquifer water as
an evaporative cooling mechanism, water that is mined
(and cleaned) from the sewers beneath the CH2 Building
is used in this way [18].
East Gate was developed by architect Mick Pace, who
used negative ventilation technology to simulate termite
mounds, regulate temperature, and create a thermally
stable atmosphere. In Zimbabwe, termites construct
mounds that must be maintained at a precise 87 °F, despite
the fact that the ambient temperature varies from 35 °F at
night to 104 °F during the day. In order to accomplish this
amazing feat, the termites alternately open and close a
number of heating and cooling vents located throughout
the mound throughout the day. East Gate Building, which
was created by the architect Mick Pace Simulator for
termite mounds, uses less energy than standard buildings,
resulting in a 20 percent reduction in rent.
Figure 11. Eastgate Building in Zimbabwe
In an interview, Mick Pearce explains, "I ironically
spent a lot of time studying termite nests and the reason
for that is that they're really much cleverer than we are at
managing the natural environment," (Mick, Principal
Design Architect, City of Melbourne, CH2 Design Team,
2004). These enormous mounds that they erect in the wild
serve as lungs rather than castles like the ones we
construct to impress others. They are designed to grow the
organism. The termites are the entire termitery, and they
are actually like the blood that is circulating within the
organism. In order to breathe, they construct these mounds.
They actually permit the transfer of gases and/or air via a
membrane that is porous, allowing for the study of gas
diffusion (Figure 12). There is a good deal of science that
we have developed that may be used in a termitery. [19].
Figure 12. Eastgate Building, Harare, Zimbabwe simulation of termites
mounds
7.3. The Third Level: Ecosystem Level
A benefit of designing at this level of bio-mimicry is
that it can be used in conjunction with other levels of bio-
mimicry (organism and behavior) in addition to the
principles of sustainability. Eco-mimicry has also been
used to describe the mimicking of ecosystems in design
and uses the term to mean a sustainable.
The following list of ecosystem principles is as follows
[20]:
• The modern sun is essential to ecosystems.
• Ecosystems prioritize the system as a whole over its
individual parts.
• Ecosystems are sensitive to and dependent on
regional circumstances.
• Ecosystems have a wide range of parts, connections,
and data.
• Ecosystems produce environments that are suitable
for prolonged existence.
• Ecosystems change and adapt at various rates and to
various degrees.
American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 132
The team was strongly motivated to pursue solutions
that went beyond "sustainable" to "restorative" by the fact
that ecosystems are regenerative. The second argument
was developed further with a detailed comparison of
traditional ecosystems and human-made systems, which
produced the disparities. These disparities are shown in
Table 2.
Table 2. Comparison of conventional human-made systems and
ecosystems
Human-made system Biological ecosystem
Simple
Complex
Linear flow of resources Closed loop flow of resources
Disconnected and mono-functional
Densely interconnected and
symbiotic
Resistant to change Adapted to constant change
Wasteful Zero waste
Long terms toxins frequently used No long-term toxins used
Often centralized & mono-cultural Distributed and diverse
Fossil fuel dependent Run on current solar income
Engineered to maximize one goal Optimized as a whole system
Extractive Regenerative
Use global resources Use local resources
This is illustrated by the following example, i.e.
California Academy of Sciences Museum Green Roof.
Building created by the architect "Renzo Piano," it
obtained a "LEED" platinum rating for the project. An
undulating green roof that mimics the sloping contours
of the surrounding terrain will be one of the museum's
standout features. Visitors will have access to a portion
of the roof. Opening in 2008, the new Academy facility
will have a planetarium, aquarium, and exhibition areas.
With the exception of its green roof, the structure is a
marvel of institutional green construction, utilizing some
of the most advanced energy efficiency techniques,
day lighting, potential biofuels, and water reclamation
(Figure 13).
Figure 13. California Academy of Sciences Museum Green Roof
The Success of Design in Achieving Sustainability:
• Ice storage system for cooling, Agriculture, It is
projected that the roof itself will save about two
million gallons of rainwater from becoming
storm-water discharge. Without sliding, the inclined
plane used a patent known as "biotray".
• Carbon dioxide is converted into oxygen by
plants.
• Stations on the roof that track changes in the
air's temperature, wind, and precipitation and alert
the ventilation system's negative automation system.
8. Biological Materials in Architecture
According to Princeton engineering professor Sigrid
Adriaenssens, who studies biomimicry, nature is "lazy
and brilliant." Nature excels at converting waste into
food, an essential element for maintaining ecosystem
balance that architecture has mostly overlooked
throughout its history [21]. But biology can teach
designers about managing resources with extreme
efficiency and creating circular economies. A form of
"critical regionalism," which holds that architecture
should take into account the geography and culture of its
surroundings, is also practiced by Nature. For instance,
certain parasites have evolved so specifically that they can
only coexist with certain hosts [21]. Janine Benyus, who
became the most well-known proponent of biomimicry
after publishing Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by
Nature in 1997, started the organization. A tenth of one
percent of all creations are still living today, according to
Dwyer, when compared to all extinct species. Millions of
unsuccessful prototypes led to the development of
biological solutions. [13].
8.1. Bio-utilization: Brings Building Materials
to Life
What if, though, the parts that designers are employing
are genuinely alive? There are two general methods to
biomimicry, which is a young science with ill-defined
boundaries: simulating biological processes and co-opting
living things, often known as bio-utilization [21].
Brick is grown by bioMASON in its North Carolina
plant under greenhouse-like, kiln-free circumstances
in an effort to lower carbon emissions associated
with the production of masonry (Figure 14 and
Figure 15). According to founder and CEO Ginger Krieg
Dosier, "What we're doing is producing biological
cement."
Figure 14. bioMANSON brick during daytime
Calcium carbonate may grow and bind the material
together with minimal to no carbon emissions thanks to
microorganisms that change the pH balance of the
surrounding aggregate material during the company's
procedure. According to Krieg Dosier, "it's analogous to
what microorganisms do [to create] coral reefs."
Additionally, bioMASON bricks are comparable in price
to conventional bricks but are significantly more
environmentally friendly [21].
133 American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Figure 15. bioMANSON brick during night time
9. Case Studies
Architecture has always been connected to nature and
has long looked to it for inspiration. It has also served as
inspiration for the development of a number of
movements and ideas that have characterized design. In
architecture, biomimicry is frequently utilized to find
sustainable solutions by comprehending the rules that
control the form rather than simply reproducing the form.
In terms of materials, structural systems, design, and much
more, it pertains to many facets of the architectural and
engineering professions. Three layers of mimicry can be
observed: in the creature, in its behavior, and in the
ecosystem.
The case studies for understanding biomimicry in
architecture are listed below.
9.1. Case Study 1: Lotus Temple, India
Fariborz Sahba created the lotus temple in Delhi
(Figure 16), the nation's capital, as a place of devotion
honoring the universality of religion. The lotus, a revered
flower in Hindu mythology, is used to create its form as
well as conjure up images of spirituality and purity. Even
during India's sweltering heat, the design can hide the
sun's harsh rays and keep the interiors cool and well-lit
[22].
Figure 16. Lotus Temple, India
The Lotus Temple, a Baha'i house of worship is
situated in New Delhi, India. The Lotus Shaped Outline of
the Baha'i Mashriqul (23). The shape of the building
was influenced by the lotus as an organism (Figure 17).
The major concept behind the design is that two essential
elements—light and water—have been utilised as
ornamentation in place of the customary sculptures and
carvings found in Indian temples [24]. While each temple
has a unique theme, they all feature significant and
revered symbols shared by all Indian faiths. These are the
symbols that numerous nations and religions have
embraced. The frightened flower of the Indians, the lotus
flower, is one of these symbols [25].
Figure 17. Different stages of the Lotus Flower
Figure 18. Top View of Lotus Temple, depicting as Lotus Flower
The temple concept was created by Fariborz Sahba
based on the idea that a flower symbolizes purity
(Figure 18). The Hindu culture places a high value on
cleanliness. It took 2.5 years to complete the temple's
blueprints. The Lotus Temple contains nine repetitions of
each element (Figure 19) [24]. The Temple of the Lotus in
New Delhi, India displays the triumph of symmetry and
self-likeness [26].
Figure 19. Elevation of Lotus Temple
9.2. Case Study 2: Marina Bay – The Super
Trees, Singapore
The lotus as an ecosystem serves as an inspiration for
the shape of the building. They blend a range of functions
together on the website. They function as dehumidification
steam outlets and biomass furnace exhaust chimneys.
They provide shade for the area as well as a location for
solar energy, solar heat, and water collection.
Two zones, one for each of the canopy skin and the
trunk skin, are separated by a collection of radial and
diagonal elements (CHS). Increasing in number as they go
American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 134
from the trunk skin to the outside border of the canopy
skin, these mimic branches emerging from the ground.
The strength of the surface comes from its shape. The
light top canopy adopts a conic shape, which is employed
frequently in membrane constructions. On the other hand,
the surface is inverted to work in compression as opposed
to tension. The inner and outer layers of the two-layer
lattice that makes up the structural frame are offset to
increase stiffness out of a plane [27].
The super trees are a combination of steel and concrete
structures (Figure 20). They are encased in a system of
partially transparent steel cladding that surrounds a hollow
concrete core. The top of the core has a "head" that is
nearly flat and covered in membrane material. Although
horizontal is the ideal angle for solar collectors in
Singapore, placing a panel entirely horizontally would
necessitate extensive cleaning. The head of the core was
slightly angled downward to permit drain-cleaning [28].
Each tree is supported by a concrete core that protrudes
from the surface. Every one of them has a central "head"
that manages the environmental machinery. Additionally,
its core head helps to sustain the supertree's canopy [27].
Figure 20. The Supertree of Garden by the Bay at Singapore
An aerial walkway at the Supertrees is designed to
replicate the treetop walkways that are so common in
Australia. It can be identified by the way it’s incredibly
thin and delicate skins hang from the Supertrees. The
walkway was designed with very specific characteristics
in mind, and due to its sensitivity, it is only intended for a
small capacity and usage [27].
The 123-meter aerial walkway is 22 meters above the
ground and winds around one side of the 50-meter tree as
it extends out from one 42-meter Supertree to the other
(Figure 22). The 42-meter trees, three nearby lesser trees,
one 37-meter-tall tree, and two 30-meter-tall buildings are
all connected to the structure via wire rope cables that are
spaced at 1 m intervals (Figure 21). The platform is
supported by rectangular hollow section cross beams of
varied depths that are spaced at intervals of 1 m, which are
supported by 140 mm steel tube stringers that run the
length of the walkway [27].
Figure 21. The Aerial Walkway connecting the Supertrees
These 18 metal-framed structures, which range in
height from 82 to 164 feet, are vertical gardens. The
restaurant is located on the top of the primary Supertree
(Figure 23) [29]. With a focus on producing a "wow"
impact, Grant Associates' 18 Supertrees range in height
from 25 to 50 meters and feature a vertical display of
tropical flowering climbers, epiphytes, and ferns. These
canopies come to life at night thanks to lights and
projected images. From an aerial walkway suspended
from the Supertrees, visitors may obtain a distinctive view
of the gardens. Utilizing water and sustainable energy
technology installed in the Supertrees, the Chilled
Conservatories are cooled [30].
Figure 22. The restaurant on the top of a Supertree
9.3. Case Study 3: The Gherkin, London
The Venus Flower Basket Sponge's shape and lattice
structure are imitated in 30 St Mary Axe, also known as
the Gherkin, a famous skyscraper designed by Norman
Foster (Figure 23). Strength and stability are provided by
the sponge's form and lattice exoskeleton [31]. The
skeleton's hollow basket serves as a water filter and
135 American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
nutrient collector. Due to the design of the building, the
structural components are connected at various angles on
each story. An open floor layout, vertical support without
interior columns, wind resistance, and ventilation on all
floors are all made possible by this technology [31].
Figure 23. 30 St Mary Axe, London inspired from Venus flower basket
and Lattice structure
10. Future of Biomimicry:
Multidisciplinary Aspect
It may seem weird that replicating the way the natural
world functions is only now becoming popular, but the
global focus on sustainability is forcing people to
consider all kinds of efficient systems. Additionally,
engineers lacked the tools necessary to replicate natural
processes until recently. What, then, can engineering and
architecture take from nature and apply it? As long as
there is an increase in multidisciplinary collaboration, the
answer is much more. It is more likely that hybrid fields
like biomimicry in architecture will take off as biologists,
architects, mechanical engineers, and materials scientists
work together more frequently [21].
"You poison its potential if you imprison biomimicry in
design or engineering as though any one field owns it,"
claims Niewiarowski.
11. Conclusions
The science of biology, among other sciences, has
historically had the greatest impact on theories and practices
in architecture. Biology is the only science to discuss the
central problem of teleology in nature. Innovative
biological solutions, as well as the development of fresh
concepts and ideas, and even new design methodologies,
aid in the resolution of architectural issues. These ideas
were sparked by parallels and analogies between the
fields of biology and architecture. Bio-utilization, form,
structure, abstract rules, concepts, and theory inspiration
are all examples of historical applications of the living
world in architecture. Current and upcoming applications
will mostly focus on illuminating profound analogical
features of bioscience such as structure, mechanism,
process, function, and system.
There aren't enough studies to draw a conclusion or
create natural solutions. However, for billions of years,
nature has proven resourceful and effective. In order to be
energy-efficient, natural species have evolved and created
ways. Human issues can be resolved by incorporating
these qualities into architecture. It is possible to achieve a
new strategy for energy-efficient building envelopes by
imitating nature. There is a substantial amount of energy
used in the building envelope. By using the biomimicry
strategy, it is possible to reduce energy use by learning
from and copying natural processes.
Sustainability is a major concern for many businesses,
and designers and other professionals in the field are once
again interested in developing cutting-edge new
techniques and technologies. Nature provides a variety of
cost-effective, water-based, solar-powered, and ecological
answers to complex design problems. It is currently
accepted as a realistic strategy to use biomimicry to enlist
nature to help sustainably solve human challenges. The
first cooperation of its sort was established in 2008 by the
architecture firm HOK and The Biomimicry Guild to
incorporate biomimicry into problem-solving. This
collaboration is significant because HOK designers are
well-known for being environmental pioneers. Their
embracement of biomimicry in their work is ground-
breaking, and this alone has the power to spread the idea
across the globe.
The implementation of biomimicry concepts during the
design process, according to this paper's conclusion, will
usher the designer into a new era of sustainable
applications, technologies, and methods. Although a
promising start, incorporating one or two intriguing
technologies into a project will not solve the sustainability
problem. We can only start to make a difference when we
take into account how everything interacts with one
another like an ecosystem, is related to one another, and
functions like the communities seen in nature. In the end,
the practice of creating sustainable environments should
use as few resources as possible to create and operate a
lovely, health-oriented habitat that operates in a closed-
loop system that recycles all waste, generates all its energy
needs, and is designed with the long-term goal of
preserving humanity.
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