Biomimicry & Contemporary

Parametricism

A Research Thesis Presented by

Priyesh Jain

Submitted to
The Department of Architecture
Shri Gijubhai Chhaganbhai Patel Institute of Architecture, Interior Design & Fine Arts of
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat

Bachelors of Architecture
Nov – 2020 / Year – V / Semester - IX
 Biomimicry & Contemporary
Parametricism
An investigation into scope and potential of contemporary parametric tools in providing
structural efficiency and resource optimisation for Architectural designs through Biomimicry
as a design philosophy.
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Priyesh Jain has submitted the report for Under Graduate Research
Thesis on the subject, “Biomimicry & Contemporary Parametricism” in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Architecture at The Department
of Architecture, Gijubhai Chhaganbhai Patel Institute of Architecture, Interior Design
& Fine Arts for the academic year 2020 - 21. His work is found to be satisfactory for the
purpose.

Ar. Chintan Shah, Thesis Guide Ar. Rajesh Mehta, Principal

Date – 06/12/2020 Date – 06/12/2020

College stamp

B.Arch. Nov – 2020

Department of Architecture

Gijubhai Chhaganbhai Patel Institute of Architecture, Interior Design &

Fine Arts, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat
Abstract

Biomimicry is a contemporary design approach which solves human problems by emulating

nature. It is to understand the natural entities, processes and systems in order to derive
insights and inferences which can then be employed in solving several problems and issues of
today. This design approach is grabbing attention of many contemporary architects who are
driven towards environmental sustainability and ecological design solutions. And as we
know, that solution is an end destination of a process path. So, when we talk about design
process, the tools which are used throughout cannot be left behind. These tools facilitate
realisation of ideas and initial concepts in tangible terms, they help you understand, and guide
your thought throughout the design process. This is where contemporary parametric tools
come in part, these are the modern and advanced tools for designing which are used by
architects, engineers and other developers and designers. This paper focuses on the
exploration of these parametric tools for facilitating Biomimetic Architecture, i.e.,
Architecture which is derived with the strategies followed and performed in nature for
ecological balance.
We seek for a solution, only when there is a problem. So, in this paper, we would be
exploring Biomimicry and parametric tools for structural efficiency and resource optimisation
in Architectural designs. The software tools which are used for the very same purpose are
Rhino & Grasshopper with a structural topology optimisation and analysis plugin, Millipede.
Acknowledgment

I would like to express my heartiest gratitude towards my professors, without whom this
research would not have been possible. I owe them for their thorough guidance and
mentorship in this project. I would like to sincerely thank all my mentors namely, Ar. Harsh
Patel, Ar. Chintan Shah, Ar. Rajesh Mehta and Dr. Aditya Contractor. All of them have given
this project a sense of direction and scope at each and every stage of its process towards
completion.
They have given their valuable inputs and wisdom of experiences because of which this
research thesis has turned out to be fruitful opportunity to learn and explore. With this project,
I had a huge scope to develop my understanding of sustainable and parametric design
solutions.
Preface

“In nature, material is expensive and shape is cheap” – Julian Vincent.

What do you think when you see the venation patterns in leaves or the human bone structure?
Why are they so complex? What makes them so? Well, the answer is this very well said line
by Julian Vincent. It is this basic rule or principle for operation of several functions and
activities in nature, i.e., resource optimisation. This research thesis goes deep into the
meaning, essence and the importance of this line. It explains about how resource optimisation
is a key strategy for developing sustainable design solutions, It understands the basic
principles behind operation of several natural entities, processes and systems.
This thesis tends to explore the architectural and structural essence of bio-inspired design
solutions and how parametric tools such as Grasshopper facilitates their application in
tangible terms. This project seeks to understand the scope of biomimetic architectural design
solution for maximum structural efficiency and resource optimisation. And for the same, it
employs the contemporary parametric tools in process.
This research traverses along works of Antoni Gaudi, Frei Otto & Pier Luigi Nervi for better
understanding of the above mentioned process and ideology. Also, one of the prominent
designs by Pier Luigi Nervi, the Palazetto dello sport is considered for a comparative
analysis, an analysis between the outcome of these contemporary parametric tools and the
existing design. Also, we compare the actual structure with the results of analysis from
Millipede (structural and topology optimisation plugin for Grasshopper) which then further
helps to comment on the scope of these parametric tools for implementing the resource
optimisation law of nature in architectural and structural design solutions.