2. WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY?
Biomimicry is human’s imitation of natural forms and processes into the design of something completely intelligent and sustainable
3. WHY BIOMIMICRY?
- Animals have already perfected some of the designs that humans still struggle with
- Humans must learn to live sustainably without causing further harm to the environment, and nature can show them how
- Organisms create natural designs that function highly effectively without the use of harmful chemicals, pollutants, or non-renewable energies
For example...
Termites are experts in heating and
air-conditioning. They normally reside
in sub-saharan deserts with tempera-
tures that fluctuate between 35 and
105 degrees fahrenheit. However, their
carefully constructed mounds remain at
a steady temperature year round and
their design requires no energy use.
Engineers and architects are taking
cues from their devices in hopes of
creating a man-made building that can
self-regulate its internal climate.
4. EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMICRY
George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, designed velcro after noticing how the Lotusan, a paint manufacturing company, developed an exterior paint that
seeds from the burdock plant stuck to his wool socks. mimicks the lotus leaf. Similar to the effect of water whicking off the leaves
of the lotus flower, their paint repels dirt and water as well.
The fibonacci spiral is a highly complex geometric sequence that is Gecko tape is an adhesive material that is covered with nanoscopic hairs
found in thousands of natural forms. This design has been applied to that mimic those found on geckos and lizards. The product is currently used
fans, propellers, and impellers to help increase the flow of air and fluid. in underwater and space station applications,and has not yet reached the
commercial mainstream production line.
5. PROJECT PROPOSAL
Extensive research conducted for the uses of biomimicry yielded that its applications have been limited within the fields of engineering, robotics, bio-medicine, and industrial
and architectural design. As an interior designer, I wanted to explore the principles of biomimicry and determine which ones, if any, were applicable to interiors. However,
the final design would have to represent a deeper understanding of biomimetics, other than simply alligator skin applique and nature motifs.
Therefore...
My proposal was to incorporate principles of biomimicry into interior design; with hopes of achieving a completely multi-functional and sustainable design that promotes
growth and cooperation within the building’s context in its natural environment.
SAND GRASS STONE
SNOW STICKS MUD
6. CHOOSING THE SITE
The project required that students utilize an existing building.
Research suggests that my building should:
- Be in a location that is suitable for harvesting vast amounts of solar, hydro, and wind power
- Contain between 14,000 and 22,000 square feet
- Have a large lot size that can be used for tours outside of the nature center
- Be capable of utilizing natural light in order to save on energy consumption
- Be located within the boundaries of a large city
Chosen Building information:
Address: 190 NE 199th Street
Location: North Miami Beach, Florida
Year Built: 1989
Square Footage: approx. 17,000 s.f.
Stories: 2
Current Use: Multi-Office Building
7. SITE ANALYSIS
RESIDENTIAL AREAS STREETS
HOTELS WATER
SITE ANALYSIS
COMMERCIAL AREAS SURROUNDING BUILDINGS
Star indicates actual building location on plan
ROADS
WATER SITE ANALYSIS
ROAD TO ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS
GREEN AREAS
8. BUILDING ANALYSIS
BUILDING WATER
SITE ANALYSIS
PARKING LOT SURROUNDING BUILDINGS
EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS
ROADS
ROADS RESIDENCES
SITE ANALYSIS
WATER EXISTING PATHS EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
GREEN AREAS EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS
9. SOLAR STUDIES
N
6:00 am 9:00 am 12:00 pm 3:00 pm 6:00 pm
HOT SPOT
MEDIUM SPOT
COOL SPOT MORNING MID-DAY AFTERNOON
10. SOLAR STUDY CONCLUSION
Because of the area’s frequent rainfall
and its high exposure to sunlight, a
rooftop garden will be added to the
building. The water collected by the
plants will be harvested for plumbing,
then recycled back into the environment.
The use of solar panels is extremely
beneficial because the area receives
year-round sunlight. The solar energy
collected from the panels will help to
power the equipment and fixtures
within the building.
A vertical greening unit will be used on the
south west side of the building. That
particular area receives the most sunlight,
yet features no shade from overhangs or
HOT SPOT awnings. The living wall will help deter the
heat and reduce the drastic hot spot that
MEDIUM SPOT would affect the interior.
COOL SPOT
11. PROGRAM
RO O M N A M E S Q . F TG . NUM B E R TO TA L S Q . F TG . F LO O R
Lobby 1270 1 1270 1
W aiting A rea 320 1 320 1
G ift S hop 400 1 400 1
G allery 1580 1 1580 1
Library /B ird V iew 240 1 240 1
V etrinary Care 1440 1 1440 1
V et S taff Lounge 240 1 240 1
G ues t Res troom 110 2 220 1
E m ploy ee R es troom 120 2 240 1
S torage Room 150 1 150 1
Hous ek eeping 140 1 140 1
M ec hanic al 170 1 170 1
E lec tric al 180 1 180 1
Data A 140 1 140 1
Rec y c le A 180 1 180 1
Direc tor's O ffic e 140 1 140 2
O pen W ork O ffic es 60 8 480 2
E m ploy ee C onferenc e 310 1 310 2
P rinter/S upply A rea 310 1 310 2
Res ourc e Li brary 690 1 690 2
E m ploy ee D ining and Loung e 510 1 510 2
E m ploy ee S hower 120 1 120 2
E m ploy ee K itc hen 340 1 340 2
E m ploy ee Loung e 240 1 240 2
E m ploy ee R es troom 70 1 70 2
Crafts R oom 610 1 610 2
Learning R oom 620 1 620 2
K itc hen/P rep f or Learning 450 1 450 2
G ues t Loung e 240 1 240 2
G ues t Res troom 110 2 220 2
Hous ek eeping 120 1 120 2
Rec y c le B 170 1 170 2
Data B 130 1 130 2
12. FLOOR PLANS
FIRST FLOOR FURNITURE PLAN SECOND FLOOR FURNITURE PLAN
N SCALE: N/A N SCALE: N/A
14. DECISION MODEL
PRINCIPLES ANIMAL TRAITS APPLICATION
ENGAGE IN SPECIALIZED PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND
1 RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNICATION
UTILIZE ADVANCED
TELE-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
FIT FORM TO CONSTANT GROWTH FEATURE MOBILE AND
2 FUNCTION AND ADAPTATION
EVOLVING STRUCTURES
AND BUILDING SYSTEMS
USE CYCLICAL RECYCLE AND RECYCLE ENERGY AND GIVE
3 PROCESSES REUSE HABITATS
BACK TO SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT
USE LOCAL USE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
4 BE SUSTAINABLE
AMENITIES
AND PROCESSES THAT
SUPPORT THE AREA
15. PRINCIPLE 1
PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND
UTILIZE ADVANCED
TELE-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
N SCALE: N/A
The open plan of the employee offices and work spaces
promotes collaboration and teamwork. The conference
and adjoining resource room also feature the newest
technologies in idea transfer and project management.
17. PRINCIPLE 2
FEATURE MOBILE AND
EVOLVING STRUCTURES
AND BUILDING SYSTEMS
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
N SCALE: N/A
Everything within the learning rooms can be easily moved
or disassembled. All furniture and equipment is on casters,
which allows for various configurations. As well, the large
space is divided by moveable walls from “dirtt” and from a
demountable track wall system.
19. PRINCIPLE 3
RECYCLE ENERGY AND GIVE
BACK TO SURROUNDING
ENVIRONMENT
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
The veterinary care facility uses renewable N SCALE: N/A
resources. All electricity comes from solar
and hydro power. The plumbing is processed
through a gray water system and released
back into the environment for subsurface
landscape irrigation.
21. PRINCIPLE 4
USE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
AND PROCESSES THAT
SUPPORT THE AREA
All furnishings and fixtures within the gallery FIRST FLOOR PLAN
come from local distributors and are 100% post- N SCALE: N/A
consumer products or are wholly recycleable.
Also, artwork and sculptures are created by local
artists. This relationship with the surrounding area
supports growth of southern Florida and its
economy, as well as eliminates high prices and
pollutants caused by transportation.
