Is Bio-mimicry / Biophilia, a viable solution for sustainable Built space /

(Architecture)?
Ar Murali J. B.Arch. M.Arch RED
Assistant Professor,

Reva University, Bangalore

Abstract
From the beginning of a Human era, Human being in the name of development, invention/discovery
knowingly / unknowingly he has created a Physical climatic condition which is dominating the bioclimatic
condition. Survey says that total energy consumed by the physical world is as follow. (Source: Global
energy use 1986 consumption by sectors.
Building construction 5%, Heating, cooling and lighting of Building 45%, Transportation 20%, Industry
20%, other 20%
As an architect / Planner / Designer in the name of Bio-mimicry /Biophilia, we are trying to be with nature
through copying/depicting the shape, form, texture, and pattern of the entity, without understanding design
principle and intention of nature. If building/shelters are designed based on the principles of nature, we
can have a Sustainable and self-sustained building (can meet agenda 21* @ Rio i.e. sustainable
architecture).
In our school, we have been taught the principles and elements of architecture and planning. But if we
include the basic designing principles of nature. The building can breathe and get older and die, can adapt
to the changing climatic condition, only if the space is designed with a biological approach. Built space
requires light, air, and water for this process as a living organism. Unfortunately, we are proving these
things artificially (Via Air conditioning / artificial lighting / artificial water bodies) due to which Energy as
well resource is getting depleting.
Animals, birds, Human beings and plants and trees (All living organisms) in this world too requires energy
and resource naturally. The building should not be with nature, it has to be within nature. Only then we can
achieve a sustainable built environment. Achieving this is only through making use of design principles of
Nature. If we try to understand nature’s principles, we can open up to many Geometrical, Physical, chemical
and biological equations. Especially Fibonacci series, Golden ratio, fractal geometry etc...
As part of the research, I will be concentrating on biochemical process and reactions within the built space
with alternative building materials which support biochemical process.

Design Principles of Nature

Design principles can easily be understood by keen observation of Plants, trees, animals, birds and Human
being. Each geographical region is having its own set of design principles it can also be called as
Vernacular. Among all, Biochemistry is the process in which it adapts itself to the changing environment,
in this process biological equation, a chemical reaction will be happening, technically we call it as a
biochemical process. For Example Photosynthesis** and Respiration***
There was equilibrium or balance been maintained in nature to the production and emission of Corban
dioxide and oxygen? But due to the development of the human race, that balance has been disturbed.
Balance can be re-achieved only when our building / built form is designed on biochemical reaction with
design principles of Nature.

*Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of the Earth
Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

**(Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, some bacteria, and some protistans use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar,
which cellular respiration converts into ATP, the "fuel" used by all living things.)

*** (Respiration is a process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the
release of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic substances)

Key words
Bio-mimicry , Biophilia, Fibonacci series, Golden ratio, fractal geometry.

Bibliographical references
Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life
By Stephen R. Kellert, Judith Heerwagen, Martin Mador

Fractal Architecture Could Be Good for You Yannick Joye Philosophy Department Faculty of Arts & Philosophy
Ghent University, Belgium yannick.joye@telenet.be

“Infinity & Fractal Geometry” by Dr. Joseph Luxum

Geometry in architecture and building, Hans Sterk, Faculteit Wiskunde en Informatica Technische Universiteit
Eindhoven

Biophilic design: the architecture of life /a documentary by Stephen R. Kellert and Bill Finnegan / 60 minutes | HD |
Color | English | 2011

Climate Responsive Architecture, a Design handbook for energy efficient Buildings by Arvind Krishnan,
Nick Baker, Simos Yannas, SV Szokolay

Building for life: designing and understanding the human-nature connection /

Stephen R. Kellert