Architecture Inspired by Termite Mounds
In nature, termites build skyscraper-like mounds that are ventilated by a complex system of tunnels. By emulating the ingenuity of termites, Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce used an approach called biomimicry to design a natural cooling system that harnessed nature. The result is an architectural marvel that achieves 90 percent passive climate control by taking cool air into the building at night and expelling heat throughout the day.
There is no "waste" in the ecosystems of nature. One system's waste is another system's nutrition or gain. By using all the outgoing byproducts in the various systems that operate simultaneously, the "Net Zero" waste goal is achieved by nature at all levels from micro to macro-organisms. This example of termite mounds is no different. In areas where the daytime temperature reaches the highs of 90°F to 100°F, termites find ingenious ways to cool their mounds without using any external power or energy source. They meticulously build the mound with the help of the huge armies of termite population lead by the queen, down to the last detail, and operate it with extreme success levels of temperature regulations taking advantage of the materials available in nature and the local conditions.
We, as humans, can only take inspiration from such systems found in nature and build our systems using design thinking and innovative ways to reduce our energy usage and carbon emissions. There are countless other such systems found in nature that can be mimicked (nature won't sue us if we do, instead it will thank us :P) to effectively design systems that maximize the resource utilization and minimize the waste generation.
A big shout out to architect Mick Pearce for observing the termites and designing the building based on termite mounds!
Living organisms have evolved well-adapted structures and materials over geological time through natural selection. Biomimetics has given rise to new technologies inspired by biological solutions at macro and nanoscales. Humans have looked at nature for answers to problems throughout our existence.
Biomimetics or biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. The terms "biomimetics" and "biomimicry" derive from Ancient Greek: β?ο? (bios), life, and μ?μησι? (mīmēsis), imitation, from μιμε?σθαι (mīmeisthai), to imitate, from μ?μο? (mimos), actor. The field of Biomimicry, as it is today, is largely the contribution of Janine Benyus, a biologist, author, and an innovation consultant.
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Thank you so much for reading!
Director, Production and Design at Taylor Creative Inc.
4 年Very cool