The construction industry is known for its high energy consumption, water use and waste production. The industry needs to establish practices and strategies that embrace sustainability and a circular economy.
Architects have turned to nature for solutions. They are learning from nature to achieve environmental innovations in building structures, facade systems and marine constructions.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing with biomimetic materials provides an opportunity to reduce maintenance costs after construction and protect buildings and infrastructure. The inspiration found in nature can help solve many of the challenges faced by the building industry and the world around it.
Whether it’s the natural self-cleaning of lotus leaves or the shark scales’ antifouling properties, nature provides efficient solutions to a variety of problems. The resulting technologies can be applied to building structures, facade systems and even marine constructions.
While most of these technologies are still being developed, they can help to reduce ongoing maintenance and improve sustainability. For example, a waterproofing admixture inspired by the cactus’ ability to absorb moisture can be used to help reduce corrosion and extend the life of concrete structures. This admixture is being tested for use in the marine environment.
As the world of construction becomes increasingly eco-conscious, architects are increasingly interested in incorporating biomimetic strategies into their designs. Companies like SOPREMA are collaborating with design firms to help them incorporate design strategies from nature into projects. This often means reimagining what a material is supposed to do — for example, using the permeability of termite mounds as a model to develop a waterproof membrane.
As with other areas of research, the development of new biologically inspired materials is challenging. This is due in part to the conservative nature of the design-build industry, which can be reluctant to jettison tried-and-true materials in favor of untested innovations. However, it is also because of a lack of funding for research and development.
Fireproofing
With the construction industry responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater consumption and waste generation, sustainable development has become essential. Biomimicry is a key step towards this goal, with architects and engineers using natural systems as models for adapting construction materials.
Scientists have been developing biologically inspired materials for use in engineering applications for some time, and these advances have the potential to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of building facades. For example, chitin, a complex polymer found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, can be used to manufacture structural panels for buildings. Likewise, lignin, which is a component of wood and other plants, can be synthesized to serve as an effective fireproofing agent.
While the construction industry is slowly incorporating biomimetic solutions, there are still a number of challenges that need to be addressed. One of these is a lack of knowledge about the benefits of biomimetic design.
For this reason, it is important to educate professionals in the construction sector about the benefits of biomimicry. Similarly, researchers need to develop effective methods for transferring the knowledge of biological structures into architectural and engineering solutions. In addition, more research is needed to develop biomimetic construction materials that come with biological processes built in. One example of this is StoColor Lotusan, a water-repellent coating that emulates the effect of lotus leaves to keep buildings clean and dry.
Structural Insulation
As the industry grows increasingly concerned with reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint, biomimetic materials have become a popular solution. Inspired by structures found in nature to produce sustainable and innovative solutions, biomimetic design can be applied to a variety of civil engineering projects. Using this approach, engineers can create sustainable infrastructure that provides both function and aesthetics, while also minimizing the impact on biodiversity.
For example, a sea wall in Blackpool, England, was designed to withstand winter storms by mimicking the natural incline of sand dunes and dispersing wave energy incrementally. This biomimetic approach was much more effective than the traditional high wall and significantly reduced the energy required to maintain it.
The construction industry has long sought inspiration from nature, resulting in many of its most ingenious materials. From Percy Shaw’s cat’s eye reflective road markings to Velcro’s hook-and-loop fastener, which was modeled after the burdock burr’s way of fastening itself to dogs’ fur, there are many examples of nature-inspired products that have changed the world for the better.
However, the concept of incorporating nature’s patterns into human designs is still not well established in the design world. Architects are beginning to realize the value of biomimicry, with firms like Biomimicry 3.8 partnering with architecture firms to introduce nature-inspired design strategies into new buildings and renovations. However, this is a very new trend that will require significant collaboration between architects and building manufacturers to fully develop.
Energy Efficiency
The construction industry accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, resource utilization and solid waste generation. Achieving sustainable development in the sector requires innovation that will reduce these environmental impacts. A biomimetic approach to design is one way to achieve this goal.
However, the design-build world tends to be cautious about jettisoning traditional materials in favor of untested new ones. That’s why researchers are exploring ways to improve existing building materials and designs with biomimetic principles.
Among the most promising innovations are natural-source materials that are more energy efficient than conventional alternatives. Sheep’s wool, for instance, can replace caustic fiberglass insulation in buildings and retain its thermal efficiency over time. It also helps to regulate the interior moisture content, trapping it when humidity exceeds 65% and releasing it when it falls below that threshold.
Other biomimetic innovations take inspiration from animals, plants or microorganisms’ innovative biological systems (functions, structures and processes). These include designing lightweight materials that resemble dragonfly wings or simulating photosynthesis to capture solar energy.
Besides reducing the environmental footprint of the construction sector, biomimetic approaches can also create markets for green products and services. In addition, it can help conserve natural resources and protect biodiversity. Biomimicry also offers a wide range of social benefits, such as creating jobs and encouraging the use of recycled materials.