Imitating Life: What Is Biomimicry?

Written by: Louise Deltheil

Edited by: Othmane Oukrid

Biomimicry is the emulation of natural systems and processes by which living beings operate–derived from the Greek words bio (life) and mimicry (to imitate), biomimicry is the practice of “imitating nature”. The term was popularized by Janine Benyus in her 1997 book, where she explains that “life creates conditions conducive to life; that’s also the design brief for us” (Understanding Biomimicry the Three Levels of Mimicry, 2020). Examples of the use of biomimicry include ultra strong synthetic spider silks, adhesives modeled after gecko feet, and wind-turbine blades that mimic whale fins (Architecture, 2021).

In architecture, biomimicry involves designing buildings that take cues from nature’s forms, functions, and systems, each corresponding to one of three levels at which the emulation of nature is done: organic, behavioral, and ecosystemic. The first level, the organic level, consists in designing buildings whose forms and façades directly resemble elements of nature, with easily recognizable connections. The second level, the behavioral level, draws design inspiration from the functional processes of nature, meaning it focuses on the internal systems of the building. The third level, the ecosystemic level, translates into designing buildings that emulate nature’s overall structure, leading to buildings with a self-sufficient and sustainable structure. This last level often works hand in hand with the first and/or second to create buildings with an internal circular economy (Understanding Biomimicry the Three Levels of Mimicry, 2020). The circular economy, a key concept in the architectural world, describes a system where materials are never discarded as waste, but instead kept in circulation through maintenance, reuse, recycling and remanufacturing (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, n.d.). 

There are plenty of buildings that qualify as biomimicry architecture, yet their sustainability status often invites debate. While one might think that imitating nature would lead to sustainable design and green technology, it is not always so. Some nature-inspired sustainable buildings include the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore, the Gherkin in London, and the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe.

Esplanade Theatre, Singapore (Architecture - Esplanade, n.d.)

Originally designed to resemble a flower shape, the 1980s proposal from DP Architects and Michael Wilford & Partners later became described as a set of “concrete blobs”. The exterior of the theatre, featuring spikes created by aluminum sunshades attached to double-glazed glass ceilings, mimics the spiky skin texture of a durian fruit. This cladding is designed to let precisely the right amount of light while keeping out the heat. 

The theatre is an example of sustainable architecture. However, these methods are not a result of the biomimicry aspect of the building. The façade is designed to collect rainwater and repurpose it to water the surrounding plants. The lights were also switched to LEDs while motion sensors were installed to reduce the electricity consumption. In 2018, the building was awarded the BCA Green Mark Platinum for reducing their monthly energy consumption by 25%. In this case, the building’s sustainability is largely independent of its nature-inspired components, as the sunshades were the only biomimetic element. 

Gherkin, London (Snaves, 2018)

Although slightly shaped like a pickle, this 2003 building designed by Norman Foster is actually inspired by the Venus’ flower basket sponge, whose lattice-like exoskeleton and round shape help it withstand strong currents. In the case of the Gherkin, the round shape of the building serves to reduce outside wind deflections – a very positive thing – and use the wind to drive the natural ventilation system, much like the sponge’s mesh-like structure that allows water to flow freely. 

In addition to the sponge-inspired elements, the ventilation system also benefits from gaps in the floor that let air circulate between floors. The air flowing through insulates the offices through passive heating and cooling systems. As a result, the building consumes half of the amount of power a similar-sized building would. In this case, the biomimicry architecture is not simply aesthetic, it fosters a very successful sustainable environment. 

Eastgate Centre, Zimbabwe (Never Enough Architecture, n.d.)

This building’s biomimicry design is perhaps one of the best examples of successful sustainable design. The Eastgate shopping centre and office block designed by Mick Pearce uses local termite mounds as inspiration for the ventilation system. A termite mound is built like a chimney: it warms up during the day by drawing heat from the sun, making the air inside warmer than the outside by nightfall; the warm air is then naturally released during the night, drawing cool air through the tunnels and exits. The Eastgate Centre replicates this exact same process, using a manmade pipe system to avoid the need for air conditioning. 

In designing the building, Pearce was also inspired by the cactus’ way of resisting heat. Cacti have many wrinkles, ridges, and spikes, which increase its surface temperature. The building takes this idea to make it easier to disperse heat at night. 

In conclusion, while biomimicry architecture encourages sustainable practices almost by definition, its application does not guarantee sustainable results at all. After all, the Eiffel Tower still qualifies as biomimicry architecture since its design is inspired by the femur bone, among other things (The Top 10 Real World Examples of Biomimicry in Architecture, n.d.).

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References:

Architecture - Esplanade. (n.d.). Esplanade. Retrieved from https://www.esplanade.com/architecture

Architecture, in. (2021, July 30). Nature does it better: Biomimicry in architecture and engineering. Autodesk. Retrieved from https://www.autodesk.com/design-make/articles/biomimicry-in-architecture

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (n.d.). Circular economy introduction. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview

Never Enough Architecture. (n.d.). The Eastgate Centre. Never Enough Architecture. Retrieved from https://neverenougharchitecture.com/project/the-eastgate-centre/

S, A. (2023, January 17). Biomimicry in architecture: Nature-inspired design. Parametric Architecture. Retrieved from https://parametric-architecture.com/nature-inspired-design-biomimicry-in-architecture/

Snaves. (2018, April 8). Biomimetic architecture: The Gherkin. Steemit. Retrieved from https://steemit.com/architecture/@snaves/biomimetic-architecture-the-gherkin

The top 10 real-world examples of biomimicry in architecture. (n.d.). Learn Biomimicry. Retrieved from https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/blog/top-10-biomimicry-examples-architecture

Understanding biomimicry: The three levels of mimicry. (2020, July 15). Rethinking the Future. Retrieved from https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1285-understanding-biomimicry-the-three-levels-of-mimicry/