Biomimicry in architecture

Abstract

Biomimicry is a science which studies nature to obtain inspiration for design solutions. Nature is regarded as a reliable source of ideas as after 3.8 billion years of existence; it has learnt what works and what does not. It has developed the most efficient solutions to problems which it has encountered and these are freely available for us to use. The first part of this dissertation describes how biomimicry has been and is being applied to architecture, illustrated with examples. An explanation of the principles, strengths and weaknesses is also given. The second part of the dissertation tackles the Maltese scenario of architectural biomimicry. After presenting two relatively detailed case studies the author studies the exposure to biomimicry with students of architecture in an attempt to find an answer to the lack of availability of biomimetic designs in Maltese architecture. This study was based on focus group discussions, whereby four groups of students, from different years of study and streams, were asked to share their views on a number of issues regarding biomimicry in architecture. The results presented in the last part of the dissertation show that the architects of the future are not aware of all the capabilities of this technology. Although this does not help increase the possibility of having more bionic designs in the future of Maltese architecture, it was concluded that the main factor contributing to the deficiency of bionic examples is the unavailability of funds for research, design development, and for the construction of innovative structures.