BIOMIMETIC BREADTH

Lindsey M. Barnaba

THE FUTURE OF NATURAL DESIGN

Biomimicry is human’s imitation of natural forms and processes into the design of something completely intelligent and sustainable

WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY?

WHY BIOMIMICRY?

- Animals have already perfected some of the designs that humans still struggle with

- Humans must learn to live sustainably without causing further harm to the environment, and nature can show them how

- Organisms create natural designs that function highly effectively without the use of harmful chemicals, pollutants, or non-renewable energies

For example...

Termites are experts in heating and air-conditioning. They normally reside in sub-saharan deserts with tempera-tures that fluctuate between 35 and 105 degrees fahrenheit. However, their carefully constructed mounds remain at a steady temperature year round and their design requires no energy use. Engineers and architects are taking cues from their devices in hopes of creating a man-made building that can self-regulate its internal climate.

EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMICRY

George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, designed velcro after noticing how the seeds from the burdock plant stuck to his wool socks.

Lotusan, a paint manufacturing company, developed an exterior paint that mimicks the lotus leaf. Similar to the effect of water whicking off the leaves

of the lotus flower, their paint repels dirt and water as well.

The fibonacci spiral is a highly complex geometric sequence that is found in thousands of natural forms. This design has been applied to

fans, propellers, and impellers to help increase the flow of air and fluid.

Gecko tape is an adhesive material that is covered with nanoscopic hairs that mimic those found on geckos and lizards. The product is currently used in underwater and space station applications,and has not yet reached the

commercial mainstream production line.

PROJECT PROPOSALExtensive research conducted for the uses of biomimicry yielded that its applications have been limited within the fields of engineering, robotics, bio-medicine, and industrial and architectural design. As an interior designer, I wanted to explore the principles of biomimicry and determine which ones, if any, were applicable to interiors. However, the final design would have to represent a deeper understanding of biomimetics, other than simply alligator skin applique and nature motifs.

Therefore...

My proposal was to incorporate principles of biomimicry into interior design; with hopes of achieving a completely multi-functional and sustainable design that promotes growth and cooperation within the building’s context in its natural environment.

SAND

STICKS

GRASS STONE

MUDSNOW

CHOOSING THE SITE

The project required that students utilize an existing building.

Research suggests that my building should:

- Be in a location that is suitable for harvesting vast amounts of solar, hydro, and wind power- Contain between 14,000 and 22,000 square feet- Have a large lot size that can be used for tours outside of the nature center- Be capable of utilizing natural light in order to save on energy consumption- Be located within the boundaries of a large city

Chosen Building information:

Address: 190 NE 199th StreetLocation: North Miami Beach, FloridaYear Built: 1989Square Footage: approx. 17,000 s.f.Stories: 2Current Use: Multi-Office Building

SITE ANALYSIS

RESIDENTIAL AREAS

HOTELS

STREETS

WATER

COMMERCIAL AREAS

SITE ANALYSISSURROUNDING BUILDINGS

ROADS

WATER

GREEN AREAS

SITE ANALYSISROAD TO ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS

Star indicates actual building location on plan

ROADS

WATER

GREEN AREAS

RESIDENCES

EXISTING PATHS

EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS

SITE ANALYSISEXISTING ENVIRONMENT

BUILDING

PARKING LOT

WATER

EXISTING TREES AND SHRUBS

ROADS

SITE ANALYSISSURROUNDING BUILDINGS

BUILDING ANALYSIS

SOLAR STUDIES

6:00 am 3:00 pm 6:00 pm9:00 am 12:00 pm

HOT SPOT

MEDIUM SPOT

COOL SPOT MORNING MID-DAY AFTERNOON

N

SOLAR STUDY CONCLUSION

HOT SPOT

MEDIUM SPOT

COOL SPOT

Because of the area’s frequent rainfall

and its high exposure to sunlight, a

rooftop garden will be added to the

building. The water collected by the

plants will be harvested for plumbing,

then recycled back into the environment.

The use of solar panels is extremely

beneficial because the area receives

year-round sunlight. The solar energy

collected from the panels will help to

power the equipment and fixtures

within the building.

A vertical greening unit will be used on the

south west side of the building. That particular area receives the most sunlight,

yet features no shade from overhangs or

awnings. The living wall will help deter the

heat and reduce the drastic hot spot that would affect the interior.

PROGRAM

RO O M N A M E S Q . F TG . NUM B E R TO TA L S Q . F TG . FLO O R

Lobby 1270 1 1270 1W ait ing A rea 320 1 320 1G ift S hop 400 1 400 1G allery 1580 1 1580 1Library /B ird V iew 240 1 240 1V etrinary Care 1440 1 1440 1V et S taff Lounge 240 1 240 1G ues t Res troom 110 2 220 1E m ploy ee R es troom 120 2 240 1S torage Room 150 1 150 1Hous ek eeping 140 1 140 1M ec hanic al 170 1 170 1E lec tric al 180 1 180 1Data A 140 1 140 1Rec y c le A 180 1 180 1

Direc tor's O ffic e 140 1 140 2O pen W ork O ffic es 60 8 480 2E m ploy ee C onferenc e 310 1 310 2P rinter/S upply A rea 310 1 310 2Res ourc e Li brary 690 1 690 2E m ploy ee D ining and Loung e 510 1 510 2E m ploy ee S hower 120 1 120 2E m ploy ee K itc hen 340 1 340 2E m ploy ee Loung e 240 1 240 2E m ploy ee R es troom 70 1 70 2Crafts R oom 610 1 610 2Learning R oom 620 1 620 2K itc hen/P rep f or Learning 450 1 450 2G ues t Loung e 240 1 240 2G ues t Res troom 110 2 220 2Hous ek eeping 120 1 120 2Rec y c le B 170 1 170 2Data B 130 1 130 2

FLOOR PLANS

SECOND FLOOR FURNITURE PLANSCALE: N/AN

FIRST FLOOR FURNITURE PLANSCALE: N/AN

BUILDING EXTERIOR

DECISION MODEL

PRINCIPLES

ENGAGE INRELATIONSHIPS

FIT FORM TOFUNCTION

USE CYCLICALPROCESSES

BE SUSTAINABLE

ANIMAL TRAITS

SPECIALIZEDCOMMUNICATION

CONSTANT GROWTHAND ADAPTATION

RECYCLE AND REUSE HABITATS

USE LOCALAMENITIES

APPLICATION

PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND UTILIZE ADVANCED

TELE-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

FEATURE MOBILE AND EVOLVING STRUCTURES

AND BUILDING SYSTEMS

RECYCLE ENERGY AND GIVEBACK TO SURROUNDING

ENVIRONMENT

USE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THAT

SUPPORT THE AREA

1

2

3

4

The open plan of the employee offices and work spacespromotes collaboration and teamwork. The conferenceand adjoining resource room also feature the newest

technologies in idea transfer and project management.

NSECOND FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A

PRINCIPLE 1

PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND UTILIZE ADVANCED

TELE-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

APPLICATION

Everything within the learning rooms can be easily movedor disassembled. All furniture and equipment is on casters,which allows for various configurations. As well, the large space is divided by moveable walls from “dirtt” and from a

demountable track wall system.

NSECOND FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A

PRINCIPLE 2

FEATURE MOBILE AND EVOLVING STRUCTURES

AND BUILDING SYSTEMS

APPLICATION

The veterinary care facility uses renewableresources. All electricity comes from solar

and hydro power. The plumbing is processedthrough a gray water system and released back into the environment for subsurface

landscape irrigation.

NFIRST FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A

PRINCIPLE 3

RECYCLE ENERGY AND GIVEBACK TO SURROUNDING

ENVIRONMENT

APPLICATION

PRINCIPLE 4

USE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THAT

SUPPORT THE AREA

All furnishings and fixtures within the gallerycome from local distributors and are 100% post-

consumer products or are wholly recycleable.Also, artwork and sculptures are created by local

artists. This relationship with the surrounding areasupports growth of southern Florida and its

economy, as well as eliminates high prices and pollutants caused by transportation.

NFIRST FLOOR PLANSCALE: N/A

APPLICATION

THANK YOU