Nature biomimicry, or simply biomimicry, is the practice of learning from and mimicking the strategies used by living organisms to solve challenges that we face as individuals and societies. The goal is to create products, processes, and systems that solve our greatest design challenges sustainably and in harmony with all life on Earth.

How Does Nature Regulate Climate?

Humanity faces many challenges. Nature holds solutions. To discover them, all we have to do is ask. Begin your search here, or explore featured content below to learn from other species' successful strategies and adaptations.

Here are the three essential elements of biomimicry:

• Emulation: Learning from nature’s forms, processes, and ecosystems to guide human innovation and create more regenerative design solutions.

• Ethical Framework: Applying lessons learned from life’s systems in a manner that creates conditions conducive to life, and recognizing our responsibility to conserve and protect what we learn from.

• (Re)Connection: Acknowledging that humans and our activities are part of nature, affecting and affected by all other organisms within Earth’s interconnected systems. Reconnecting with nature encourages us to observe and spend time in nature to better understand how life works and to effectively emulate biological strategies in our designs.

Biomimicry has led to many innovative solutions inspired by nature, such as the design of efficient water mixing systems inspired by spiral patterns in nature, and sustainable agriculture practices inspired by prairie ecosystems.

Passive Cooling in Buildings

As a mechanical engineer involved in building construction and production, I find nature biomimicry related to building cooling particularly fascinating. Alongside my professional pursuits, I enjoy nature and wildlife photography as a hobby, which deepens my appreciation for the natural world and its ingenious solutions.

One impressive application of biomimicry is passive cooling in buildings. The Eastgate Complex in Harare, Zimbabwe, exemplifies this innovation. This 324,000 square-foot commercial office and shopping complex includes two nine-storey office buildings and a glazed atrium. In Zimbabwe’s extremely hot climate, the building’s primary cooling method is natural ventilation.

Engineers from the firm Arup, led by Mick Pearce, sought inspiration for the ventilation design from termite mounds. Termites require their homes to remain at an exact temperature of 87°F (30.5°C) throughout a 24-hour daily temperature range of between 35°F at night and 104°F during the day (1.6°C to 40°C). The solution was a passive-cooling structure with specially designed hooded windows, variable thickness walls, and light-colored paints to reduce heat absorption.

This innovative design not only ensures a comfortable indoor climate but also significantly reduces energy consumption, showcasing how biomimicry can lead to sustainable and efficient solutions inspired by nature.

By observing and emulating the natural world, we can find creative and effective ways to address the challenges we face, just as termites have done for millions of years.

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