The article discusses the importance of incorporating biomimicry in the built environment to address the challenges of urbanization, industrialization, and unsustainable economic growth. It highlights nature’s 3.8 billion years’ head start in solving complex challenges and how humans have been mimicking natural systems for centuries, from ancient architecture to modern technology. The article showcases various examples of biomimetic design at the city, building, and material levels, including:
* The Mobius project, which models its closed-loop circular economy approach on the oak tree’s ability to reuse resources and conserve energy and water.
* The Sahara Forest Project, which uses biomimicry to create a seawater-cooled greenhouse that can grow crops in arid environments.
* The Eden project, which designed its giant greenhouse to resemble soap bubbles and uses biomimicry to create a lightweight structure.
* The use of abalone shells to create strong, lightweight structures that require fewer materials and the development of bendable concrete inspired by the abalone’s calcium carbonate discs.
* The lotus leaf’s water-repellent coating, which has inspired a protective coating for buildings, and the use of limestone-producing bacteria to repair and regenerate concrete structures.
The article concludes that biomimicry can be a valuable source of inspiration for creating a more sustainable built environment, and that nature’s 3.8 billion years of experience can provide valuable lessons for humanity to learn from.