The Importance Of Biomimetic Design

Abstract:

The human species have turned to nature to sought food and shelter from the beginning of time. Even so, with the progression and development of society, nature’s role grew to be more composite and tricky; it became a source of motivation and useful ideas. By means of careful study and observation, people have gathered invaluable information about how ecosystems work around the world. A more up close study of nature reveals full-bodied systems whose performance is the epitome to perfection as it can be. Natural selection, evolution’s primary driving force, has given rise to organisms that exploit resources both efficiently and sustainably.

This paper will attempt to define biomimetic architecture, elaborating on the framework in accordance

Design looking to biology:

This is the approach where the designers sought the living world for solutions. Biologists are used to match the organisms to the problems the designers identify. However, this approach is led by designers who need to set up initial goals and the considerations for the design.

The designers research on biomimetic solutions and may require the aid of a biologist or ecologist who are able to see organisms or ecosystems and are able to access their biological research. Nevertheless, with the partial scientific understanding available, the prospective of implementing the biological knowledge into a human design has not yet developed at an in-depth approach. This is because mimicking forms to the idea of chemical processes would require such great scientific collaborations.

In spite of the obstacles approached, this approach may well be in the process of transforming the current built environment into a sustainable one. Leading thinkers on regenerative design such as William Reed and Ray Cole argue however that a shift from a built environment that ultimately is degenerating ecosystems to one which regenerates capacity for ecosystems to thrive and restore local environments will not be a gradual process of improvements but will in fact require a fundamental rethinking of how architectural design is approached (Reed, 2006, Cole et al.,

(Berkebile and McLennan, 2004, Baumeister, 2007a). Nevertheless, many of these technologies may fail to be more sustainable than those existing currently.

The methods used above outline the way biomimicry can be used within the architectural design process to achieve a more sustainable environment. However, in spite of the fundamental aspects of biomimicry in the organism and behavioral levels, maximum sustainable processes are not achieved. In placing entire focus on the ecosystem level of biomimicry is far much more rewarding toward sustainable design. This is because buildings that mimic natural processes and can work like an ecosystem in creation, use and eventual end of life have potential to making a far more sustainable environment. So much so, the building is termed as a regenerative design. (Van derRyn, 2005; Reed, 2006). (Describes processes that restore, renew or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials, creating sustainable systems that integrate the needs of society with the integrity of nature) Therefore, in implementing biomimicry, aesthetics and stylistic ways of mimicking an organism may not produce effective