“Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies.”
As mentioned in the previous post, the building construction industry is one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gases and much of what we use to in them is making us sick. (Freed, 2017) We need a transformational approach to how we build, and there is much to learn from nature’s innate technology. Biologist Janine Benyus explored the learnable functions of the planet’s systems. It runs on daylight, which is free, and is energy efficient. It recycles everything it creates, is cooperative, and thrives from diversity. (McLennan, 2004)
Nature runs on sunlight.
Nature fits form to function.
Nature recycles everything.
Nature rewards cooperation.
Nature banks on diversity.
Nature relies on local expertise.
Nature curbs excesses within.
“Biomimicry ushers in an era based not on what we can extract from nature, but on what we can learn from her. This shift from learning about nature to learning from nature requires a new method of inquiry.”
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, while it is supporting better construction practices and making buildings less energy consumptive, it has a lot of room for improvement. The Living Building Challenge examines ways to employ the principles of Biomimicry and is planting the seeds for a revolution in building construction. (Living Future Institute, s.d.) The requirements are that the buildings harvest their own energy and water, that it is adapted to its climate and place, and that it operates pollution-free. It is comprised of integrated systems and promotes our overall health and well-being. (McLennan, Living Buildings for a Living Future | TEDxBend, 2015)
“You could look at nature as being like a catalog of products, and all of those have benefited from a 3.8 billion year research and development period. And given that level of investment, it makes sense to use it.”
It is a budding industry, living buildings, and with the continued study of synthetic biology at MIT, we will continue to be informed of the evolving best practices. (Freed, 2017) As an interior designer, I can do my part by committing to continued learning from the case studies of The Living Building Challenge of the Living Future Institute, respecting passive solar strategies, employing greywater when possible, continuing to grow my understanding of the natural sciences and systems, and when appropriate, partaking in innovative biomimicry design charrettes. I will familiarize myself with the products with the Declare Label and avoid those on the Red List, so that when disposed of, the products and materials that have been specified can either be reused or decomposed without toxic ramifications.
The task requires designing with curiosity and humility, seeking to emulate, but the rewards will outweigh its costs. (McLennan, 2004)
“Nature does nothing uselessly.”
