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Biomimicry: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
Biomimicry: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
Defining Biomimicry:
Architectural Applications in
Systems and Products
Emily Royall
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UTSoA - Seminar in Sustainable Architecture
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Defining Biomimicy: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
deal with a more architectural applica- and usage. A nationwide analysis of ve- operate on the same principle, often
tion to the biomimetic production of hicle miles traveled in the U.S. revealed minimizing the distance of resources in
systems; urban planning. that the top ten largest metropolitan effort to reduce E/T.
In relating biology to urban planning areas produce 23.5% of the total vehi-
we can reflect on the principles illus- cle miles traveled (VMT), while housing Seeking to minimize energy consump-
trated by Richard Hopper in his article 26.3% of the national population, re- tion over time, natural systems appear
published in the American Planning inforcing the notion that metropolitan to use analogous mechanisms that
Association magazine in the 1970s. residents drive less than the average humans have artificially created to
Hopper suggests that all man made American. Additionally, although total solve similar efficiency problems. Such
and natural systems have inherent car- driving is concentrated in metropolitan is a credit to the concept of Biomimicry,
rying capacity that can be: areas, the greatest driving per person which evidently, is not entirely foreign.
occurs in low-density Southwestern Historically, humans have built cities
1. used as a limit for growth and Southeastern regions known for limited by the land (exhibiting Hopper’s
2. ignored and exceeded with the con- their vast spaces consumed by urban principles of energy ceilings). Cities
sequence of degrading the system sprawl. Fundamentally, a city’s com- built before the Industrial Age were far
3. expanded through new technologies pactness directly affects the amount of more modest in their energy demands,
and methods of design or planning energy used for transportation within responding to geographical restraints
it. Maximizing a city’s density while by integrating nature and industry as
Essentially Hopper makes an argument taking special care to appropriate liv- a working rural and urban landscape.
that is appropriate to Biomimicry. In de- ing, work and recreational spaces is an Ancient European cities had common
veloping a sustainable urban blueprint, integral means by which to minimize business areas, central squares and
one must include basic biological rules energy consumption via transporta- localized infrastructure reducing the
in mind. Hopper states that there is a tion. need to travel long distances for re-
limit to the growth of a system before sources. These cities even operated on
it becomes unsustainable (or exceeds Specialization: Diversity of a city includ- a cyclic system, using the land to pro-
energy over time), and if this energy ing the specialization of retail enter- duce food and energy for settlement
ceiling is ignored the system may be prises and civic centers is fundamental activity whose waste was once again
degraded over time. Additionally, the for the incubation of new ideas and reapplied to the soil. These archaic cit-
potential energy ceiling of a system can enterprises so prized in major metro- ies of the past were also fueled by solar
be expanded through innovative tech- politan areas. The diversity of a city is power, illuminated at daybreak and
nology. These basic principles illustrate made up of a plethora of specialized ending activity at nightfall. Ironically
the natural relationship between cities parts, contributing to the city’s flourish- the contemporary sustainable move-
and nature providing some insight into ing economy and society. Similarly, the ment fashions itself as a novel trend,
the sustainability of metropolitan areas. life of an ecosystem is stimulated by though such ideas are ancient conse-
the specialization of quences of our historical technological
Cities and Biology a variety of interconnected partici- restrictions.
pants. Specialization allows a system to
What makes a city sustainable? Looking be self-sufficient, relying primarily on Cities and Cells
to nature, we find several overlaps in the goods and services of the localized
criteria, as many principles that make a system. Having established that urban and
city sustainable are shared in biologi- natural systems share criteria for
cal systems. Popular consensus reveals Localized Infrastructure: Less energy sustainability, we can again examine
three principles that define the sustain- is expended when individuals travel natural systems as inspiration for urban
ability of the urban frontier: Density, shorter distances for the services they design. Imagine a city modeled after a
specialization and localized infrastruc- need. The centralized infrastructure of cell. Although this design remains con-
ture. an urban area contributes to the reduc- ceptual, a number of realistic applica-
tion of carbon emissions and conve- tions can be inferred. This hypothetical
Density: Dense metropolitan areas nience of city-dwellers. Many biological city would possess as a cell does, three
show lower rates of vehicle ownership systems such as plant or animal cells major characteristics:
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UTSoA - Seminar in Sustainable Architecture
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Defining Biomimicy: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
Sweden’s hailed “sustainable city,” Ham- forms of transportation, whereas one are based on the Stockholm average).
marby Sjöstad. It functions (perhaps third of trips are car-borne. Taking Using a new water treatment system,
unknowingly) in a similar manner to a advantage of localized resources, one 95% percent of the phosphorous and
cell via its self-sufficiency, porosity and of the major transportation options is nitrogen extracted from wastewater is
adaptability. It is an example of how a free public ferry operating between recycled on agricultural land. Addition-
designers are already applying Biomim- the northern to southern borders of ally storm and drainage water from
icry without even knowing it. the city. One fourth of residents report urban runoff is treated and reused.
using the ferry regularly. Despite these
Hammarby is currently home to some options, 66% of residents still own a car. Waste: Hammarby operates on a cyclic
25,000 residents in 11,000 apartments Hammarby has therefore encouraged system reminiscent of efficient cities
located in a southeastern pocket of carpooling, and the city expects at least of the past. Waste is reused for the
Stockholm. The project is expected 15% of residents to participate by 2010. soil treatment and the production
to be completed in 2015, projecting Currently 8% (270 residents) participate of biofuels and biogas, used to run
35,000 individuals to live and work in in the program. transportation systems and appliances.
the area. Historically, the port area was Hammarby implements a multilevel
a small-scale industrial “shantytown,” Energy: For Hammarby, energy comes waste management model. Com-
dotted with temporary infrastructure from waste and sun. Hammarby’s bustible waste is transported to the
largely consisting of corrugated steel entire heating supply is based on waste Högdalenverket where it is incinerated
shacks. In 1998 this area was demol- or rewnewable energy sources with and recycled as heating and electricity.
ished to make room for a sustainable district heating and cooling centralized. Food waste is transported to Sofielund
city. Several features of Hammarby The combined heat and power plant where it is composted into soil with the
Sjöstad make it an excellent example uses combustible waste as an energy ultimate goal of being converted into
of the potential of Biomimicry in urban source (biofuels), producing electricity biogas and bio-fertilizers. Newspapers
design. and district heating. Additionally, the and packaging are recycled into other
Hammarby heat plant extracts waste products, and electronic waste is disas-
Self Sufficiency heat from treated wastewater in the sembled and reused, though unusable
Henriksdal wastewater treatment plant. excesses are deposited in landfills.
Construction: Hammarby focuses on District cooling is provided by the heat Hazardous waste is incinerated.
using localized resources and recycled pumps, where heat is exchanged into
materials for building construction. water cooling. As a result, cooling is a Porosity: The master plan of the city
Similar to how lysosomes in a cell byproduct of district heating. Solar cells was a collaborative effort, inviting the
recycle existing material and reuse and building integrated photovoltaics participation of over 20 architects and
relevant resources, Hammarby Sjostad have been installed for the collection designers. Though it is self sufficient
has outlined procedures to draw mate- of energy. The energy from a 1m2 solar and enclosed, the city is not culturally
rials from the demolition site. Pressure cell module produces 100 kWh/year, or economically exclusive. The Master-
treated timber may not be used for corresponding to the domestic elec- plan Team effectively aspired to create
construction, and Copper is not used as tricity requirements of 3m2 residential a new inner city district, designing
ducting material. floor space. extensive waterside units encourag-
ing retail. The high density develop-
Transportation: Unique and efficient Water: Water is a valuable, monitored ment creates an urban district that can
transportation options within the city resource in both a cell and a city. The sustain a range of shops and services.
reduce the amount of energy con- installations of water-saving washing Planning policy and financial incen-
sumed and minimize CO2 byproduct. machines, dishwashers, low flush toilets tives encouraged businesses to open
Hammarby Sjöstad expects 80% of and air mixer taps have reduced the before the market had fully developed,
residents’ and workers’ journeys to be average water use of an individual by further emphasizing the importance
by public transport (via the light rail 25%. Hammarby’s goal is to reduce wa- of porosity. Finally, Hammarby Sjöstad
“Tvärbanan”), on foot or by bicycle by ter use by 50%, from 200 liters per per- has excellent public spaces, with a
the year 2010. As of today, two thirds son per day to 100 liters within the next permeable street pattern as well as an
of residents participate in alternative few years (average water use figures extensive network of parks. Hammarby
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UTSoA - Seminar in Sustainable Architecture
Figure 07: veins in a leaf Figure 09: satellite image of a river basin
has indicated that at least 15m2 of not necessarily a sustainable technol- structal Theory can also be found in
courtyard space and a total of 25–30m2 ogy, as it does not provide facile altera- native grass prairies whose flexibility
of courtyard space and park area must tion or adaptation to its surroundings. of dominating grasses between wet
be within 300 meters of every apart- Nothing is sustainable forever. and dry seasons allow the species to
ment. Additionally, at least 15% of the “redraw” the system to accommodate
courtyard space is sunlit for at least Defining how flow systems change environmental changes. This simply
4-5 hours during the spring and fall over time, Constructal Theory high- illustrates that to ensure any man made
equinoxes. lights how a system must be architec- system’s survival, we must maintain
Adaptability: The city has emphasized turally designed to ensure survival. the flexibility to recognize important
its role as a “laboratory” testing new Constructal theory operates on a basic changes and reserve the freedom to “re-
building techniques, water purification rule: draw” our designs. This directly applies
systems and evaluating new technol- to urban planning and architecture in
ogy. GlashusEtt is the city’s education “For a system to survive it must evolve the sense that designers and architects
center, where officials and residents to provide increasingly easy access to should consider the elasticity of their
can meet to discuss the future of the the currents that flow through it.” design. Can the design accommodate
city while addressing current issues and change? Is the building material flex-
developments. The education center Although seemingly abstract and ir- ible enough for alteration? To ensure
reflects recognition of sustainability relevant, this rule elegantly illustrates the survival of an urban development,
as a continuous process, constantly why some systems thrive and others urban planners should consider the
requiring open discussion and flexible fail. For any of these systems to sustain potential for adaptation and evolution
remodeling. or survive, they must be architecturally of their design.
designed in such a way that the ele-
Evolution of Cities ments within that system increasingly The Organs
get to where they need to go. Figure 3
Cities like any other organism can- not through 5 illustrate constructal theory. Organs help organisms to function.
remain stagnant in any climate whether Without efficient organs, a system can-
political, economical or environmental. Here, we see the physical evidence that not be considered sustainable. Biomim-
In this way, a city is continually evolv- human lungs and a river basin have icry is capable of not only constructing
ing, and so too must its sustainable in- both evolved to in the optimal way to theoretical concepts and efficient
frastructure. Contrary to the implication get their materials where they need processes, but also tangible products.
of its title, the sustainable movement to go (oxygen in the case of the lungs Biomimicry is best known for the or-
is a dynamic process much like the and water for the river basin). Over time gans it produces, which unfortunately
Biomimicry Spiral model introduced these two systems adapted to a chang- are often gadgets advertising idealistic
earlier. Sustainable infrastructure must ing atmosphere, finding the maximum technology. The goal of this section is
therefore consistently seek a closer fit fit of their objectives to the environ- to illustrate the practical applications of
to an ever-changing environment. The ment; sustainability in a nutshell. the physical products Biomimicry can
addition of a bulky photovoltaic cell is Another biological example of Con- generate.
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Defining Biomimicy: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
Figure 10: Architectural applications of Biomimicry. Left: The Eastgate Centre in Harhare, Zimbabwe. Right: self-cleaning paint by Lotusan
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UTSoA - Seminar in Sustainable Architecture
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Defining Biomimicy: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
total production of silicon is increasing able, the organs and organisms must www.sigmaaldrich.com/materials-science/
organic-electronics/dye-solar-cells.html>.
while the total unused has completely be integrated together in a mutually
diminished. This has a negative impact dependent relationship. Sophisticated Desilvestro, Hans, Sylvia Tulloch, and Gavin
on the future of silicon prices, contrib- Biomimicry is the imitation of this rela- Tulloch. Volume Manufacture of Dye Solar Cells.
uting to PV costs of 2$/watt or more. tionship, effectively creating a unique, Rep. Dyesol, 2008. Web. <http://www.dyesol.
com/index.php?element=Volume+Manufacture+
Alternatively, DSPV projects costs 1$/ sustainable system. For example an
of+Dye+Solar+Cells>.
watt making it readily competitive with organ produced by Biomimicry (the
the coal industry. smart switch) is not inherently sustain- Dorn, Jonathan G. “Solar Cell Production
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(Vmpp) for DSPV varies by 20mV over ate on various micro and macro scales. Logic.” Technology Review. MIT, 4 Feb. 2009. Web.
a temperature range of -10C to 70C Furthermore it must be acknowledged <http://www.dyesol.com/index.php?element=Vo
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whereas that of crystalline silicon cells that sustainability is not simply an idea,
significantly decreases with increasing it is a reality of nature, easily identified Harvey, Austin Energy, Tim. “AE PV Estimate.”
temperature. Furthermore the flexible, and imitated. Such is the goal of Bio- Message to the author. 11 Aug. 2009. E-mail.
film-like nature of DSPV makes it a per- mimicry, to ultimately produce the or-
fect candidate for Building Integrated gans and organisms for the purpose of
Hough, Michael. City Form and Natural
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DSPV can be easily applied to building www.glrea.org/articles/index.html>.
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architectural potential. DSPV can be Aizenberg, Joanna, and Gordon Hendler.
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into glazings. Additionally a flat roof is Chemistry, 24 June 2004. Web. <www.rsc.org/ McGee, Tim. “Constructal Theory: Introduc-
materials>.
not required for its installation, unlike tion to the Inverse of Biomimicry.” Treehug-
ger. Web. <http://www.treehugger.com/
the bulky infrastructure of Silicon PV. Andrew. “Biomimetic and Sustainable Archi- files/2006/12/constructal_the.php>.
DSPV also out performs Silicon PV in tecture: Learning from the Eastgate Building
diffuse light conditions, when a panel in Harare, Zimbabwe.” Weblog post. Z+ Blog. Murray, Paul, Andy Thein, Sylvia Tulloch, and
2004. Web. <http://www.zpluspartners.com/
cannot be directed towards the sun- zblog>.
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UTSoA - Seminar in Sustainable Architecture
recycling/upinflames.pdf>.
Images
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thomashawk/2603598680/>.
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Defining Biomimicy: Architectural Applications in Systems and Products
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