Bonfring International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Science, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2016 19
ISSN 2277-5056 | © 2016 Bonfring
Abstract--- A brief literature review on Biomimicry and
Architecture has been arranged into a rational system and has
been systematically customized to find the application of
Biomimicry in the design processes involved architecture. The
main objective of this research is to find out how Biomimicry
principles help in architecture of space, structure or
enclosure, its experience in space & time, technological
achievement, program or strategy development and
compatibility to its context. Mapping of research literature has
been done on the basis of a framework of the System of
Inquiry, Strategies and Tactics.
Keywords--- Biomimicry, Architectural Systems, Process
Design, Sustainable Built Environment
I. INTRODUCTION
HE concept of biomimicry talks about the ideas inspire
from nature and transfers those to create sustainable
design solutions. This concept is considered as one of the most
promising solution for sustainable development. Biomimicry
differs from other nature friendly or green concepts. Animals,
plants and microbes are skilled engineers. They have found
what works, what is appropriate and most importantly, what
lasts here on Earth [1]. Mimicry of living organisms and
ecosystems to create sustainable design solutions is called
biomimicry.
The term biomimicry is invented by author J. Benysus in
her book [1]. She mentioned various ecological examples and
works, nature‟s laws, strategies, principles etc in her research.
Her findings have shown that during its 3.8 billion years of
research and development, nature has evolved highly efficient
systems and processes that can inform [1] architectural design
problems we face today; she says in fact, nature has already
achieved what we are still trying to do, without causing a
detrimental effect on the planet. So the underlying idea of
biomimicry is that we can use the forms, processes and
systems found in nature to inform efficient, sustainable and
environmentally sensitive architecture [1]. Biomimicry
becomes a source of inspiration to solve various design
problems. It is the new medium with wide range of options to
create a sustainable world in true sense. This science and
philosophy of learning from nature, the concept of biomimicry
Parag L. Sarwate, M. Arch Research Scholar, Department of Architecture
and Planning, Vishveshvaraya Institute of Technology, Nagpur-440010, India.
E-mail:arparags@gmail.com
Akshay P. Patil, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and
Planning, Vishveshvaraya Institute of Technology, Nagpur - 440010, India.
E-mail:akshayppatil@gmail.com
DOI: 10.9756/BIJIEMS.10443
is a source of architectural design inspiration, with a variety of
approaches undertaken by designers that reference nature.
This paper examines research literature on Biomimicry
principles in design of spaces/structures/enclosures based on
technological advancements, to accommodate a program and
these three systems compatible to its context. It includes a
comparative analysis of available literatures to understand the
application of biomimicry in architecture.
It is assumed that application of biomimicry to the
architectural design becomes a platform to create a sustainable
built environment [2]. This is an effort to explore recent
research developments of the application of biomimicry
principles in process design, object design and realization
design [3] which are the inherent part of architectural design.
Literature review revealed Biomimicry principles evolve
as an improved sustainable model in architectural design.
These biomimicry principles can be explored to improve the
sustainability of architectural design. This paper also explores
the literature on architectural systems and process design for
better insight. This paper is an effort to review the literature
and elucidate the application of biomimicry in architectural
system and process design. Research papers on Biomimicry
have been studied under the framework of System of Inquiry,
Strategies and Tactics. The methodology followed in this
review is summarized in figure1. This methodology is adopted
from Linda Groat and David Wang‟s book titled
„Architectural Research Methods‟ [4].
Research papers have been studied to understand the term
biomimicry and its application on various design fields. This
literature review will be helpful to scholars and researchers in
the field of Biomimicry and Architecture. The literature
review is a part and parcel of the research. It is essential not
only at the beginning of the process, but throughout research
[4].
II. CORRELATING BIOMIMICRY WITH ARCHITECTURE AND
PROCESS DESIGN
The concept of Biomimicry can be summarized as the
inspiration from nature's processes & ecosystems, which
would provide useful parameters to design societies and
complexes [5]. Biomimicry offers an innovative and nature
friendly approach which can create more adaptive and flexible
solutions [6]. Theories in Biomimicry feature similarities
between biological and social complex systems that can
provide guidance in the management of several issues, the
design process and collective intelligence. Bottom up
The Incorporation of Biomimicry into an
Architectural Design Process: A New Approach
towards Sustainability of Built Environment
Parag L. Sarwate and Akshay P. Patil
T