Biomimetic Materials for Sustainable Architecture
Organisms in nature have used various methods to survive and adapt to the environments they’re in. For example, some plants have tissues with barrier properties to combat changes in the climate, and animals have developed strategies to survive in the wild. Researchers have examined these strategies to discover how to incorporate biology, in the form of biomimicking, biomimetics, and bioinspiration, into the creation of environmentally-friendly architecture that can withstand extreme conditions. The purpose of these buildings is to ensure the coexistence of man-made structures with the natural environment and promote energy conservation and sustainable development.
Biomimicry, also referred to as bionic or biomimetic, is a method that has been used to sustainably combine elements from the environment with human products. Biotechnology is a form of biomimicry that uses “biological systems for industrial processes or using any type of biological organisms to benefit human or human surroundings” (Imani et al. 1-24). Biotechnology is the technique used by scientists and researchers to apply natural solutions to technology to find innovative ways to solve human problems and create sustainable design elements. For example, the mimicking of the structure, behavior, and function of natural elements allows for humans to resolve issues like thermal insulation and waterproofing. Scientists have been able to construct new textile configurations based off of the patterns of honeycombs and soap bubbles. To be able to utilize biomimicry, scientists have researched how organisms have survived hazardous climates and other threats. Currently, the goal is to reduce energy consumption and the recycling of items for a more refined energy performance.
Natural materials may be used during the manufacturing process in building envelopes, which is the separation of buildings from the outside environment. There also exists the possibility of allowing natural materials to grow on building envelopes. Natural materials assists with the ability to improve the air quality within infrastructure through the filtration of pollutants and volatile compounds, and thermal insulation. For example, Spinifex grasses, which are known for the toughness of their leaf blades, can be used for “cladding timber frame shade structures and is used also as an adhesive material in plugging water vessels” (Imani et al. 1-24). A variation of this is where the creation of infrastructure, specifically in the textile membrane, involves natural organisms producing the material itself.
Bio-inspired materials are categorized by those that mimic the structural properties, function, recycling nature, and biological processes of natural organisms. Depending on what the material was inspired by, they may have pressure bearing and thermal properties, or intelligent response mechanisms, such as water-resistance or harvesting. Additionally, those inspired by biological processes introduce the potential for reproductive materials. On the nano-scale level, nanotechnology can be used to improve the functionality and efficiency of bio-inspired materials. These materials are a blend of conventional materials with nano-materials, in which the properties of the nano-structure have been altered for self-sufficiency. Bio-inspired materials on the macroscale level are generally biodegradable, and go through two cycles for waste reduction: biological and technical. The biological cycle involves the incorporation of natural fibers into pre-existing materials, while the technical cycle ensures the durability of the material mixture after the manufacturing process. A recent example is the creation and use of bio-aggregate based building materials, or eco-materials, which is the dispersal of synthetic plant-based materials in the polymer matrix. The manufacturing process of bio-aggregate building materials is monitored to verify the improvement of material properties and environmental protection.
Currently, the category of bio-inspired material that has gained the most traction and success has been the biomimicry of plants. A subdivision of plant biomimicry and green architecture is green bionic architecture, which incorporates “the growth principles, structural characteristics, and ecological functions of plants into the concept of architectural design” (Mei et al. 114357). The purpose of this subdivision is to mimic the growth patterns and adaptability of plants for energy conservation and the reduction of carbon emissions. There is a significant appeal towards the process of photosynthesis, and how to replicate a plant’s ability to utilize light, transport necessities, and exchange gases. The mimicking of the photosynthetic process can aid with a building’s thermal insulation, ventilation, and heating and lighting properties. It also allows for the harmonization of manmade structures with the natural environment through the use of renewable and recyclable materials. The stems of plants are also a source of inspiration for infrastructure that aim to be lightweight and sturdy. As of now, plant based biomimicry has been superior to other forms of biomimicry, and continues to be the main method used to achieve environmentally-friendly goals.
Cellular materials, such as bone, cuttlebone, wood, bamboo, and honeycomb have also shown promise as bio-inspired materials for their lightweight nature. Bone tissue, which is a combination of organic and inorganic constituents, is capable of amplifying the toughness and strength of infrastructure. Wood can be used as is, as a template for the creation of inorganic, wood-based materials, and for the use of its cellulose nanofibers for the design of structures with varying porosities. Bamboo provides a guide for material mechanics because of its unique hierarchical structure. Analysis of the structure of bamboo can lead to new bamboo-inspired composite materials and high-performance architecture. Honeycomb inspired designs usually involve lightweight structures with bending and compression capabilities. These materials open the path for the implementation of more bio-inspired materials and designs in the future.
The process of implementing biomimicry does not come without its challenges; researchers have struggled to imitate the biological fabrication process and growth processes from nature. To solve this issue, they have used additive manufacturing, a process that applies “information from a computer-aided-design (CAD) file to build three dimensional objects or to print the materials in a layer-by-layer approach” (Sandak and Butina Ogorelec). An important part of additive manufacturing is the use of novel 3D printing techniques for multiscale fabrication and continuous fabrication on the macroscale and nanoscale. These types of processes may have potential for waste reduction and lessen the time spent on manufacturing in the future. Researchers are also looking to solve the biodegradation of toxic emissions and replicate the closed-loop cycle for resources.
References
Imani, Negin, et al. "Bio-Inspired Materials: Contribution of Biology to Energy Efficiency of Buildings." Handbook of Ecomaterials, Feb. 2018, pp. 1-24. ResearchGate, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48281-1_136-1. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Mei, Xiaoqing, et al. "Research Progress on Functional, Structural and Material Design of Plant-inspired Green Bionic Buildings." Energy and Buildings, vol. 316, Aug. 2024, p. 114357. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114357. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Sandak, Anna, and Karen Butina Ogorelec. "Bioinspired Building Materials—lessons from Nature." Frontiers in Materials, vol. 10, 16 Nov. 2023. Frontiers, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2023.1283163. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.