Architectural bionics is a movement for the design and construction of expressive buildings whose layout and lines borrow from natural (i.e., biological) forms. The term “bionics” itself comes from the Greek word bion – an element of life, literally, living. Bionics is a science that borders on biology and technology. It solves engineering problems based on the analysis of the structure and vital functions of organisms. The first of those who turned to nature in his works was Leonardo da Vinci (the aircraft he created was based on the structure of a bird’s wing). The first attempts to use natural forms in construction were made by the great Spanish architect of the XIX century, Antonio Gaudi. Park Güell, created by him, is called “nature frozen in stone.”

It was these works of the great master that gave a start to the development of the bionic style architecture. Because before that, Europe and the whole world have not seen anything like it.
The architects of the whole world took bionics into service. Some adherents of bionics believe that nature has created the most aesthetic, perfect, durable and optimized designs.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, a world exhibition was organized in Paris. It was planned to erect a tower on the territory of this exhibition, which would symbolize the greatness of the French Revolution and the latest technological achievements. The competition of projects involved 700 works. The work of the Frenchman Eiffel won. This tower impressed everyone with its grace and became a symbol of France. Modern engineers made an unexpected discovery: the tower structure exactly repeats the structure of the human tibia.

Currently, bionics is developing in many areas. Architectural and construction bionics studies the laws of the formation of structural organization of living tissues, analyzes the constructive systems of living organisms, and explores the principles of saving material, energy and life support. A striking example of architectural and constructional bionics is a complete analogy of the structure of cereal stems and some modern building structures, like the Quadracci Pavilion by Santiago Calatrava. Revealing the secrets of the structure of living organisms, you can get new opportunities and methods in the architecture of structures.

In recent years, bionics has confirmed that most human inventions are already “patented” by nature. For example, a twentieth-century innovation, such as zippers and velcro fasteners, was developed based on a study of the structure of bird feathers. In this case, the pen threads of various orders are equipped with hooks that provide a reliable grip.
In architectural and construction bionics, a lot of attention is paid to new construction technologies. For example, in the field of developing effective and waste-free construction technologies, the development of layered structures is a promising direction. The idea was borrowed from deep-sea mollusks. Their durable shells consist of alternating hard and soft plates. When a rigid plate cracks, the deformation is absorbed by the soft layer and the crack does not go further.

Architectural bionics is an innovative style that takes all the best from nature: reliefs, contours, principles of shaping and interaction with the outside world. Worldwide, the ideas of bionic architecture have been successfully implemented by renowned architects in their beautiful creations such as the Cypress skyscraper in Shanghai, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Board building of the NMB Bank in the Netherlands, the Rolex Training Center and the Fruit Museum in Japan.

Technologies of architectural bionics.

Here are a few examples of some of the most common modern paths of bionic building development.

1. Energy Efficient House – a structure with low energy consumption or with zero energy consumption from standard sources (Energy Efficient Building).
2. Passive Building (Passive Building) – a structure with passive thermoregulation (cooling and heating through the use of environmental energy). In such houses, the use of energy-saving building materials and structures is provided and the traditional heating system is practically absent.
3. Bioclimatic Architecture – one of the movements in the style of hi-tech. The main principle of bioclimatic architecture is harmony with nature: “… so that when the bird flies into the office, it doesn’t notice that it’s inside of it.” In numerous bioclimatic skyscrapers along with barrage systems, double-skinned glazing (double-skin technology) is actively used to provide noise insulation and microclimate support, coupled with ventilation.
4. Smart House (Intellectual Building) – is a building in which, the flow of light and heat in rooms and building envelopes is optimized using computer technologies and automation.
5. Healthy Building – is a building in which, along with the use of energy-saving technologies and alternative energy sources, natural building materials (mixtures of earth and clay, wood, stone, sand, etc.) are the main priority. Technologies that are included in a “healthy” home are air purification systems from harmful fumes, gases, radioactive substances, etc.

In addition to the search for new ideas and forms, bionics studies life support systems, development and other mechanisms of the existence of natural objects, and their reactions to external influences. Perhaps this new perspective of nature will show us the path to the architecture of the future.

Author: Master in Architectural Science Anastasia Rudenko