Care & Sustainability in Architecture 2.0: Biomimicry
- up2089283
- Mar 28, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 29, 2022
Here's part 2 of our topic of sustainability and care in architecture! If you haven't read part 1 go ahead and have a read. Today's post focuses on the nature of biomimicry, what it is and how we use it to impact one's experience.
Word of the blog: *Biomimicry
The emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. The goal is to create products, and processes—new ways of living—that solve our greatest design challenges sustainably and in solidarity with all life on earth. We can use biomimicry to not only learn from nature’s wisdom but also heal ourselves—and this planet—in the process.
Many architects have used biomimicry in this century across the globe. A famous architectural example that you may recognise is the Olympic stadium in Beijing.
The Bird's Nest designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. Its circular shape typifies the Chinese representation of heaven, with its main form being created by a web of twisting steel sections replicating a bird’s nest. Here it's clear that nature has been a large inspiration for the construction of the structure, alongside its sustainable qualities. Elements of the bird's nest are exposed with little material wasted to disguise the structure. Openings in the façade allow natural ventilation as air filters through the public concourse, into the stadium, preventing a heating or cooling system. In keeping with the bird’s nest analogy, the façade is in-filled with translucent ETFE panels allowing sunlight to filter through to feed the natural grass field (Lubow, 2006).
A similarly great architect that I believe embodies Biomimicry in their architecture is Thomas Heatherwick and his practice.
(2019) Maggie’s Yorkshire, St James’s University Hospital, LS9 7BE. Designed by The Heatherwick Studio. Here, I believe both the practice and structure prioritise generating a positive social impact with a motivation to design soulful and interesting places that embrace and celebrate the complexities of the real world. As the structure uses a prefabricated and sustainably-sourced spruce timber system and Porous materials such as lime plaster to help maintain the internal humidity of the naturally ventilated building, which generates an energising atmosphere.
< Own Drawing of Yorkshire Maggie's Centre
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Another person who I believe presents a fine example of how biomimetic structures can influence one's emotions and the atmosphere around them. In contrast to Heatherwick, unfamiliar with the architectural field but a known ambassador for all things ethical and sustainable is one of my favourite Youtuber Hitomi Mochizuki.
In the video above Hitomi expresses her opinions on her new and green habitat for a month in her Tree House Tour:
References
Biomimicry Institute. (n.d.). What is biomimicry? Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://biomimicry.org/what-is-biomimicry/
Company, F. (2011, October 4). What is Biomimicry? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBUpnG1G4yQ&feature=youtu.be
Sadmin, C. (2020a, January 20). Beijing National Stadium [Photograph]. Design Build Network. https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/national_stadium/
Birds Nest. (n.d.). [Photograpgh]. All Wallpaper. https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.ebb8d4fa230a8f07922741e1f38aae6c?rik=bigTu0pn5VVCnQ&pid=ImgRaw&r=0
Sadmin, C. (2020, January 20). Beijing National Stadium, ‘The Bird’s Nest.’ Design Build Network. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/national_stadium/
Maggie’s Centres. (n.d.). Architecture and design – Yorkshire. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-yorkshire/architecture-and-design/
Maggie’s Centres. (n.d.-b). Yorkshire - Maggie’s Centre [Photograph]. Maggie’s Centres. https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-yorkshire/architecture-and-design/
Mochizuki, H. (2019, August 19). I lived in a tree for a month | Treehouse Tour [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AG7x3w29JU&feature=youtu.be
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