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Life has been evolving on Planet Earth for billions of years. Through this
using unique solutions to ensure their species prolonged existence and niches
materials and resources for our benefits, analyzing and controlling our
construct expand and evolve in our terrestrial environments our actions have a
problems and challenges helps us to better understand the systems we live in,
adapting our societies to better sustain ourselves and our environments. This
While biomimetics has led to many inventions designs and practices most
important ideas boldly stand out from the pack. Termite-mound inspired self-
cooling buildings are a highly applicable sustainable biomimetic design for the
species don’t consume their ecological capital, they fit into their surroundings
and the resulting building design enact the sustainable principles of biomimetic
for almost half (forty percent) of all energy produced and consumed by humanity
degrees during the day, termites dig a kind of breeze-catcher at the base of their
mound cooling the air by means of chambers carved out of the wet mud below,
sending hot air out through a flue to the top. They constantly vary this
regulate the heat and humidity within the mound. Janine Benyus, a leader in the
field of biomimicry, sets out the principle dynamics of natural design: “Nature
runs on sunlight, Nature uses only energy it needs, Nature fits form to function,
diversity, Nature demands local expertise, Nature curbs excess from within, and
Nature taps the power of limits” (7). TERMES uses high tech 3-D digital scans of
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termite mounds to gain understanding of how the tunnels and vents regulate
modeling the termite mounds. Architect Mick Pearce designed the Eastgate
Building in Harare, Zimbabwe mimicking the termites’ the passive heating and
cooling system. This system keeps the building fresher and cooler with less
energy. The Eastgate building employs the mass of the building as insulation and
the daily temperature fluctuations outside to keep its interior uniformly cool. Fans
suck fresh air from the atrium, blowing it upstairs through hollow spaces under
the floors and into each office through baseboard vents. As the air rises and
warms, it is drawn out of the building through 48 round brick funnels on the roof.
During cool summer nights, big fans circulate air through the building seven
times an hour to chill the hollow floors. By day, smaller fans circulate air twice an
hour through the building. As a result, the air is fresh, much more so than from an
air conditioner which recycles 30 percent of the air that passes through it.
building and it uses 35 percent less energy than six conventional buildings in
Harare combined. In the first five years alone, the building saved its owner $3.5
million in energy costs.” (Lefaivre). This cooling system follows most, if not all of
Benyus’s rules of nature. Not only does Pearce’s city center naturally cool, curb
excess from within, fit its form to its function, and use only the energy it needs but
also it draws on local expertise. A Harare local, Pearce no doubt was familiar
with the termite mounds that rise out of the Zimbabwe savannah. Looking
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our now globalized economy and culture. This solution can be both costly and
ineffective. Local culture and the realities of the natural geo-climatic region have
much to teach those who are willing to reject standardized ready-made solutions.
(Lefaivre). Biomimicry suggests we look at how the species of local origin have
how to shape our own buildings and societies in order to save energy and
resources, emulating the local ecosystems. This is not an entirely new concept,
modern societies have just become reliant on wasteful and convenient habits.
We have gravitated so far from our origins that we sometimes forget that the
earth was not put here for our use but that we are in fact a small part of the
natural world. If used properly biomimicry can mend this disconnect that has
been instilled, handed down through the western paradigms of dominion and
have permeated all levels of our culture. From the way we build our homes and
cities to the way we choose to farm and raise livestock. We expand and consume
a more elegant form at a lot less cost to the planet” (6) Mick Pearce understands
this concept. Most people would classify termites as pests, terrifying or disgusting
reality termites actually build better, more efficient structures than us. This
arrogance in our species is all too common. Pearce was able to look beyond our
pre-constructed hierarchical view of other life on the planet, and his innovation
brought great success and sustainable solutions to the energy problems looming
for civilization.
brought on by impending danger or severe crisis. Our monolithic culture and non-
living environments of steel concrete and smog are the destabilizing element; we
are our own crisis. In contrast, living things maintain a dynamic stability without
objects designed to fit the constraints of commercialized modern life has shaped
marveled at the achievements of the human race, excess and speed became the
With all our knowledge of history and science we can jump-start the
in the right direction before the full effects of serious crises sink in, we may be
buildings used ninety percent less energy than their present-day counterparts,
urban areas would take less of a toll on their environments. Effective design has
the potential to change population centers and urban growth into areas of
harmony and production, instead of open sores on the planet’s surface. Not only
borrowing from nature but also appreciating and interacting with it, is the key to
of the biomimicry field and responsible design has already produced efficient,
effective and sound products and ideas for a sustainable world. Since the vast
logical jump-off point for crafting a sustainable future inclusive of all cultures and
species. If any one thing can be learned from Pearce’s architecture projects it is
that we can solve the challenges of sustainable design working outside the
have been adapting and cooperating eons, can teach us design in a low-impact
and harmonious manner more like the world which designed us.
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Works Cited
<http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/case-studies/case-
studies/architecture.html>.
<http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?
fuseaction=wanappln.commentview&comment_id=162>.
Benyus, Janine M.. Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. New York: William
Lefaivre, Liane . "Mick Pearce Profile". Architects for Peace. December 9 2009
<http://www.architectsforpeace.org/mickprofile.php>.