BioInspired! So What? Now What!

Gruber, Petra
1st Edition., 2011, 280 p. 466 illus., Softcover
ISBN: 978-3-7091-0331-9

Also available through Amazon.ca

From the Springer website:

• Overview of the present state of research in the field of biomimetics in architecture
• Shows the innovative potential of this relatively young scientific field
• Case studies on vernacular architecture to space exploration

The purpose of investigating the areas common to architecture and biology is not to draw borders or make further distinctions, or even to declare architecture alive, but to clarify what is currently happening in the overlapping fields, and to investigate the emerging discipline of „biomimetics in architecture" [Architekturbionik].

An overview of the present state of research in the relatively young scientific field of biomimetics shows the potential of this approach. The new discipline aims at innovation by making use of the subtle systems and solutions in nature which have evolved over millions of years. Approaches taken to transfer nature's principles to architecture have provided successful developments.

The new approach presented in this book transfers the abstract concept of life onto the built environment. Strategic search for life's criteria in architecture delivers a new view of architectural achievements and makes visible the innovative potential, although that has not yet been exploited. A selection of case studies illustrates the diversity of possible starting points: from vernacular architecture to space exploration.

Content Level » Professional/practitioner
Keywords » Architecture - Bionic Architecture - State-of-the-Art
Related subjects » Architecture- Design

Table of contents

1 Introduction

2 Background

2.1 Architecture

2.2 Bionics [Bionik] Biomimetics

2.3 Transfer and methods

3 Classical approaches to investigate overlaps between biology and architecture

3.1 Relationship between nature and architecture

3.2 "Natural construction"

3.3 Nature's design principles

3.4 Parallels, differences and synergies between design in nature and in architecture

3.5 Biomimetics in construction and architecture

4 New approaches and application of biology's life criteria on architecture

4.1 Life, biology

4.2 Architectural interpretation of life criteria

4.3 Comments and hitherto unexplored fields

4.4 A living architecture

5 Case studies

5.1 Adaptation and evolution of traditional architecture on Nias Island

5.2 Transformation Architecture

5.3 Lunar Exploration Architecture

5.4 Biomimetic Design Proposals

6 Discussion

6.1 Transfer strategies and methods

6.2 Suggestions

7 Appendix

7.1 Literature

7.2 Figures and Photography