Biomimetismo: Como imitar a natureza na Arquitectura

Jaques Julião do Patrocínio

Key information

Authors:

Jaques Julião do Patrocínio (Jaques Julião do Patrocínio Santos)

Supervisors:

Manuel Guilherme Caras Altas Duarte Pinheiro (Manuel Guilherme Caras Altas Duarte Pinheiro)

Published in

06/30/2009

Abstract

Throughout the ages man is imitating nature in construction. That?s why the use of biomimetic features in architecture has been a constant over time. The word "biomimicry" has its origins in Greek: bio - life + mimetikos - imitation. Janine Benyus was responsible for the recent systematization of biomimicry as a field of research and study. According to Benyus (1997) there are three principles (3 Ms) that describe this new field of study: 1. Nature as Model 2. Nature as a Measure 3. Nature as Mentor This dissertation aims to show how the demands of contemporary architecture - such as sustainability, functionality, or even the aesthetics - can be filled using the natural world principles. The study of biological principles that are more applicable to nature, systematized according to the criteria of the famous Roman architect Vitruvio - Utilites (functionality), Firmitas (strength) and venustas (beauty) - to which is added sustainability, has demonstrated several advantages of a biological approach to architecture. A matrix for assessing the biomimetic degree is proposed to analyze how a project meets biomimetic specifications, which was applied to real projects such as the Eastgate Center in Harare, Zimbabwe (Pearce, 1996), the Olympic Stadium in Beijing (Herzog & De Meuron, 2008), the TGV station, Rhône-Alpes (Calatrava, 1994) and three academic projects developed throughout the course. Results showed that biomimicry applied in architecture is not a utopia, but a desirable practice.