Green construction techniques and materials are becoming industry standards as construction companies and homebuyers are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and their impact on the environment. One part of this industry-wide shift is a push toward the practice of biomimicry. 

What is biomimicry and how are builders and architects using it to make their projects more environmentally friendly?

What Is Biomimicry?

First, for those unfamiliar with the term, what is biomimicry? The term was coined by scientist Janine Benyus in her 1997 book, "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature." Today, the term is defined as "the science and art of emulating nature's best biological ideas to solve human problems."

Humans have been looking at nature for inspiration for centuries. Leonardo da Vinci created the drawings of his flying machines after studying birds in flight. The Wright Brothers, the fathers of modern flight, were inspired by pigeons. Biomimicry is responsible for many of the technologies that people take for granted every single day.

The velcro on shoes was inspired by the microscopic hooks on burrs that stick to your clothes when you're outdoors. The inventor of Velcro, George de Mestral, studied the burrs after they became stuck in his dog's fur and used what he found to create the fastener material.

This is just one example of how biomimicry has changed the world. The next question is, how is this being applied to construction and architecture?

Biomimicry in Building

There are already a number of different nature-inspired techniques and tools being employed in the construction industry.

The standard photovoltaic solar cells that are becoming so popular among eco-savvy home and business owners are inspired by the way a plant leaf harvests energy from the sun via the process of photosynthesis. This is just the first incarnation of this technology, too. Researchers are working on a way to create water-gel-based solar cells that more closely resemble the inner structure of a leaf to collect energy even more efficiently.

Glues generally don't work in wet or humid environments, and getting a wood glue to dry underwater was something that was previously impossible. Now, instead of waiting long periods of time for the glue to cure in wet environments, researchers are taking a cue from the common mussel. These shellfish attach themselves to rocks using byssal threads, which are stringy protein-based fibers that are stronger than many human-made types of glue without the need for harsh chemicals like formaldehyde.

Another company is looking at spiders as a way to keep birds safe. More than 100 million birds die every single year from window collisions, and this doesn't even account for the cost of repairing the windows that they've crashed into. They're simply unable to see the transparent glass, so they think it's safe to fly through.

In 2010, one company created a clear, low-energy glass that mimicked the reflectiveness of a spider's web. Birds are able to see the strands of a spider's web, whereas they can't see the transparent glass, so they instinctively avoid the windows.

There are some massive projects that exist right now that were inspired by nature. The Shinkansen train, Japan's super-fast bullet train, used to make a massive sonic boom when it got up to speed. But after observing how the Kingfisher bird could move swiftly and nearly silently, Japanese engineers were able to redesign the train so that it cut through the air as smoothly as the bird that inspired it.

These are just a few examples of how biomimicry is being employed in the construction industry. How can existing companies start to adopt these new nature-inspired techniques and tools?

Incorporating Biomimicry

Adopting and incorporating biomimetic technologies and techniques may be challenging for established construction companies. But as consumers become more eco-friendly, making the transition won't be optional. Some studies have found that by adopting biomimetic principles, companies were able to reduce their costs by as much as 1/3, in addition to improving their carbon footprint.

Biomimicry is shaping up to be one of the biggest revolutions in construction in decades. Instead of focusing exclusively on traditional construction methods, companies can start researching what it will take to incorporate these biomimetic principles in their current and future projects.

Some of it may be simple, such as offering photovoltaic solar panels as an option that consumers can choose when designing their building, while other applications may require more dramatic changes.

The Future of Nature-Inspired Building

Traditional construction methods often saw the companies implementing them fighting against nature to complete their projects. With the push toward becoming more eco-friendly taking over the industry, this isn't going to be an option anymore. 

Biomimetic principles are becoming more popular with each passing year, and it won't be long before they turn the entire industry on its ear and force a change that's been a long time coming. Designers and architects have always been inspired by nature. Now, they have the tools and technology they need to make their visions into reality.

Author Bio: This post was written by Holly Welles. She is a real estate writer and the editor behind The Estate Update. She’s passionate about the ways in which the industry is changing and loves to stay on top of millennial market trends. You can find more of Holly's thoughts on Twitter @HollyAWelles.

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