With 3.8 billion years of hands-on experience, nature is the undisputed expert on time-tested resiliency strategies.
Biomimicry is an emerging science that looks to the natural world for ideas and inspiration for all kinds of design opportunities. The goal is to create products, processes and policies – new ways of living – that are well-adapted to life on Earth and able to endure regardless of the challenges.
Established by biologist Janine Benyus in the 1990s, biomimicry has led to some amazing innovations - from self-cleaning surfaces inspired by the lotus leaf to Olympic swimsuits that emulate the skin of a shark. Within the built environment, however, the discipline is still in its infancy.
In 2008, HOK forged an exclusive alliance with the Biomimicry Guild to integrate nature’s genius into the planning and design of buildings, communities and cities. Through this relationship, biologists and architects are currently collaborating on projects in India, the Middle East and North America to explore innovative design solutions that are in harmony with nature.
“We believe biomimicry will not only help us significantly reduce the environmental impact of our projects, but also will help define a whole new sustainable standard for our profession,” says HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus.
Buildings account for about 50% of total U.S. energy use, and biomimicry has enormous potential for helping to reduce that impact.
“Together with HOK, we are looking at what it means to be a bio-inspired company in the architecture space,” Benyus says. “And I think the answer to that question is really going to be something new in the world. Because making a bio-inspired product is one thing; making a bio-inspired city begins to change the world.”
In this video, Biomimicry Guild Co-Founder Dayna Baumeister explains how nature can guide the planning and design of buildings.
In this video, HOK Sustainable Design Director Mary Ann Lazarus talks about the benefits of the alliance.
Tags: Biomimicry, Sustainable
