A framework for finding inspiration in nature: Biomimetic energy efficient building design

• Published in: Energy and buildings 2020-10, Vol.225, p.110296, Article 110296
• Main Authors: Imani, Negin, Vale, Brenda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Architects; Architecture; Biology; Biomimetic design; Biomimetics; Biomimicry; Building design; Buildings; Design; Energy balance; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Energy efficient building design; Green buildings; Innovation; Innovative design; Office buildings; Sustainable design; Thermal adaptation; Thermoregulation strategies; Translations
• ISSN: 0378-7788; 1872-6178
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110296

•Architecture is familiar with the majority of biological thermal adaptations.•Translation of biological thermal adaptations require energy balance calculation.•The hierarchical connections of physiological strategies remained unexplored.•The effectiveness of biomimicry for energy efficient buildings is questionable. Biomimicry has attracted the attention of scholars and architects because of its potential for contributing to the design of energy efficient buildings. Given the importance of energy efficient buildings in reducing global building energy consumption, the aim of this research was to investigate the practical usefulness of a framework developed for designing bio-inspired energy efficient office buildings. Biologists confirmed what became known as the thermal bio-architectural framework (ThBA) was both valid and potentially useful as a bridge between biology and architecture. Using the ThBA building designers can follow a systemic process to find relevant solutions in biology to improve the thermal performance of office buildings by reducing building energy consumption. This article investigates the impact of the ThBA in improving the thermal performance of two case study office buildings in New Zealand through looking for innovative biomimetic design. The results showed that the simplest ways of translating biological thermoregulatory strategies (BTS) have been already used by architects. In addition to recognised parallels in sustainable building design, any other translations of BTS will require an energy balance calculation to ensure the innovative thermoregulatory system is energy efficient. The ThBA also suggested innovative solutions that cannot be realised given the current state of technology but that offer opportunities for further research.