Janine Benyus, Co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute, once remarked, “The people who design our world usually never take a biology class, believe it or not, so they are novices in how the world works.” This thought-provoking statement invites us to question: Is nature a fundamental dimension in architecture and design? Is the world truly poorly designed? Where is the gap, and how can it be filled?
"The world is poorly designed, but copying nature helps!" Janine Benyus, Natural Sciences Writer
Exploring the Gap
In an attempt to explore the gap, we consider architecture as an ongoing experiment and explore diverse approaches to it. With our exploration, we aim to discover a pathway that could provide insight into a timeless inquiry: Can we, as architects, embrace the dynamic and adaptable aspects of nature in our designs? Can we merge the wisdom of the past with the innovation of the future?
Modernist Approach
Louis Kahn, Estonian-born American architect, celebrated for his modern approach, epitomizes an architectural philosophy often characterized by its "static dimension." His designs are distinguished by simple geometric forms and robust materials such as brick and concrete, conveying a profound sense of permanence and stability. His skillful manipulation of light and material enhances the enduring presence of his structures, which are meticulously designed to age gracefully, evoke timeless quality and provide profound spatial experiences.
National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and designed by Louis Kahn (photo: © Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
The National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, is located in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, and stands on a 200-acre plot in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The building was designed by Louis Kahn in the 1960s and completed in 1982. Its construction was a testament to the nation's post-independence aspirations.
In his design, Kahn integrates nature thoughtfully, creating flexible spatial arrangements, and demonstrating sensitivity to context.
National Assembly Building of Bangladesh (photo: © Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
The building's design maximizes natural light and ventilation, promoting sustainability and efficiency akin to natural systems. For Kahn, light is not just a means to illuminate a space but a creator of space itself.
The flexible spaces accommodate diverse functions, adapting over time to changing needs. While featuring Kahn's hallmark monumental materials and timeless aesthetic, the design also respects local climate and cultural context, symbolizing a harmonious balance between human architecture and natural adaptability.
Kahn artfully integrates modernist principles with cultural motifs in the design. The geometric shapes adorning the façade, drawn from traditional Bangladeshi culture, add a dramatic impact to the overall composition and bring the old and new cultural identities together.
Biomimicry Approach
Biomimicry architecture is an innovative design approach that draws inspiration from nature's processes, systems, and forms. By mimicking nature, architects can create innovative and environmentally-friendly designs that harmonize with natural ecosystems. This approach not only enhances sustainability but also promotes the creation of more dynamic, adaptable, and efficiently built environments.
The Eden Project, located in Cornwall, UK, and designed by Architect Michael Pawlyn (photo: © Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Architect Michael Pawlyn, a leading advocate for biomimicry in architecture, was part of the team that designed the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK.
The Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, is a remarkable ecological complex that features two large biomes housing thousands of plant species from diverse climates and environments. The biomes are inspired by natural forms and constructed with sustainable materials, creating a self-regulating environment. They incorporate kinetic and adaptive features that respond to environmental conditions, such as structures that can change shape, regulate temperature, or adjust lighting.
The larger biome simulates a rainforest environment, while the smaller one replicates a Mediterranean climate. The project aims to promote sustainability and environmental education, showcasing innovative design principles that mimic natural processes and foster ecological harmony.
Sustainable Approach
Sustainable architectural design is a holistic approach that not only addresses environmental sustainability but also fosters healthier, more resilient communities. It embraces nature in design, integrating principles like energy efficiency by optimizing building orientation, utilizing passive design strategies for heating and cooling, and incorporating efficient systems for lighting and ventilation. Among various sustainable tactics, the selection of material focuses on using renewable resources, recycled materials, and those with low embodied energy to reduce environmental footprint and promote resource conservation.
Just as contemporary sustainability efforts aim to bridge environmental considerations, reflecting on past sustainability principles reveals a comparable approach. In his influential book "Architecture Without Architects", Austrian-American writer and architect Bernard Rudofsky documented various examples of vernacular architecture from around the world, particularly focusing on indigenous, rural, and non-Western architectural traditions. He argued that these forms of architecture often emerged organically from local materials, climate considerations, cultural practices, and community needs, without the imposition of theoretical frameworks or stylistic conventions.
He encouraged architects to reconsider the ways we think about and practice architecture, advocating for a more inclusive, context-sensitive approach that draws inspiration from vernacular traditions.
Unlike vernacular architecture, where design is heavily influenced by climate context, when we examine various newly constructed buildings, we observe a tendency for their exteriors to look similar across different climates, as depicted in the images below.
Unlike vernacular architecture, newly constructed buildings look similar across different climates (photo: © Architect Aram Yeretzian)
Yet, just as human skin adapts to optimize performance in different climates, building envelopes should also adapt to their specific climatic conditions. Why must all walls be the same when the climate differs? Does the building envelope need to remain uniform despite varying environmental factors? Embracing these questions can lead to more innovative, sustainable, and contextually responsive architectural designs.
Genius Loci: The Spirit of The Space
Architecture involves various approaches - some view buildings as static sculptures, others as dynamic structures, and some draw direct inspiration from nature. These physical approaches provoke emotions, feelings, and visions.
Architecture's ultimate goal is to bridge the tangible and intangible, the ground and the sky, adapting to each person's unique experience of space and time.
In achieving the ultimate goal, how do we perceive and translate nature in architecture? Is it by copying parameters, as seen in parametric and biomimicry designs, or by interpreting nature’s static geometry and translating it into human-accepted forms, inspired by Plato’s ideals?
Can architecture interpret nature in the manner envisaged by Plato? (photo: © Courtesy of re-thinkingthefuture)
Exploring the answers to these questions will continue to be an ongoing conversation, and the spirit of the space or Genius Loci, will remain the elusive goal for every architect.
“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” Plato
The Gherkin, located in London, UK, is designed by Norman Foster. The form of the structure is designed to mimic the shape and lattice structure of the Venus Flower Basket Sponge (photo: © Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
However, whether seen or unseen, architects bear the responsibility for their influence on the planet and its inhabitants. Ultimately, architecture transcends any single factor; it is an intricate equation of multiple parameters. The greater the complexity of this equation, the more profound its impact on our emotions and spirit, and consequently, the more significant its legacy.
As architects, let's not lose our essence amidst styles and methods. While we may never unify our approaches, we can always strive for a unifying belief that fosters a deeper connection between human-built environments and natural ecosystems, promoting harmony and sustainability in urban development.
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