After the Lecture last week, I wanted to learn a bit more about the study of Biomimicry and the theoretical framework behind it. I didnt quiet understand the relationship between the dimensions, levels, approaches and tools and so I did a little more research.
A useful article for me was Biomimicry Approaches to Architectural design for increased sustainability. by Maibritt Zari.
The approaches I found pretty straight forward.
A) Defining a human desire or problem and looking at ways it is solved by organisms or ecosystems. Design looking to Biology
identify Initial parameters seems to be the most important step in this process.
the most significant shortfalls of this approach I think is that its solving a nominated problem it doesn't give much scope for thinking outside of the box and establishing new technology; but I think it could be useful when looking at form?
Below is an example taken from the article: the Box fish, large yet aerodynamic
this image can be found at http://www.cmsl.co.nz/assets/sm/2256/61/033-PEDERSENZARI.pdf. viewed 10/4/11
B) identifying a specific characteristic, behaviour or function and translating it into design.Biology influencing design.
This approach is really the most interesting to me. Another interesting observation that I read during my research was that similarities between human design solutions and tactics used by other species have surprisingly small overlaps considering we exist in the same context and have the same resources . ( Vincent et al. 2006, Vogel. 19998)
the main problem I can see with the Biology influencing design approach is that you either have to stumble upon the revolutionary system or it involved a lot of research to establish the most effective.
below is an example of this method: how a Lotus flower stays clean in swampy water,
This image can be found at http://www.cmsl.co.nz/assets/sm/2256/61/033-PEDERSENZARI.pdf. viewed 10.4.11
3 Levels of mimicry:
organism level- specific; like plant or animal. Involves mimicking part or whole of organism
Behavioural level- Translating an aspect of how an organism behaves, or relates to a larger context.
Ecosystem level- mimicking of whole ecosystem and common principles allowing them to successfully function.
within this is the 5 possible dimensions of Mimicry: form, Material, Construction, Process, Function.
bellow is an example from the reading involving termites.
the above table can be found at http://www.cmsl.co.nz/assets/sm/2256/61/033-PEDERSENZARI.pdf. viewed 10.4.11
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