Bionic architecture

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION AND PROJECT AIMS:

How can architecture be created through bio-inspired design, involving adaptive kinetic modules?

The aims of this project are: ● To introduce a kinetic facade system that is adaptable to the weather conditions. This will be a dynamic system that can sense the natural elements to control and improve the building's sustainability.

● To create a sustainable system with natural and renewable resources obtained from the environment.

● To create a building programme which generates organic resources through a minimal waste process.

Biomimetics or Biomimicry refers to human-made processes or systems that imitate nature. These terms come from the Greek words bios, meaning life and mimesis to imitate1. The idea of biomimicry is becoming increasingly popular in the field of Architecture, as we seek sustainable solutions by emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies2. Living organisms are not perfect but are continually evolving to survive; this provides a useful model to guide adaptive architecture. This research proposal sought to learn from and incorporate living organisms into a building to improve sustainability in architecture and produce sustainable resources.

Here is the question this proposal seeks to solve: 'How can architecture be created through bio-inspired design involving adaptive kinetic modules?'

The project seeks to create flexible kinetic systems, which when placed strategically around a structure can enhance the occupants' quality of life through biophilic principles. This building design provides a means to collect natural resources like rain water and solar energy and uses these resources to cultivate microalgae as a sustainable resource. It also sets out to create a number of by-products including bio-fuel, clean water and biomass through its collected resources via a closed-loop process.

The brief proposes to design a research facility with these design principles based in Auckland. The design mimics organic systems and produces an outcome that will benefit people and the environment. One of the building’s primary objectives is to facilitate the recycling of pollutants like carbon dioxide to contribute to its sustainability and eco-friendliness. With kinetic systems placed in or around the building's envelope, the structure should function as a self-sustaining object. The outcome of this project is a design which incorporates a number of processes to obtain a diverse range of organic resources. A key feature of the design is that the process is demonstrated in a visual manner throughout the building to inspire and affect its occupants and observers, with a view of teaching them what can be done with microalgae as a sustainable resource