Applications of biomimetics in architecture

Applications of biomimetics in architecture have recently been of increasing interest due to the focus on effectiveness in energy consumption and material use and to considerations of durability, recyclability, renewability, CO2 consumption and mobility of architectural constructions [40,41], 

Some of the new developments of biomimetics in architecture are discussed here. The examples shown will not necessarily be representative and are not able to match aU the numerous developments in architecture. In Germany, for example, between manifold research activities in biomimetics, there are research groups in architecture supported by a governmental research programme named BIONA . The universities that are involved in these research activities are the Technical Universities of Stuttgart and Berlin, the Bauhaus University of Weimar and the University of Applied Sciences of Saarbriicken research group Bowooss . 

The technical plant stem , as developed by the Plant Biomechanics Group of the University of Freiburg and the Institute for Textile and Process Technology (ITV) in Benkendorf, is described in a separate chapter in this book. It is the result of biomimetic research based upon a great number of structural principles from different plant species. After a comprehensive 

Another example of the use of composites in research into biomimeticaUy inspired structures in architecture are wooden tubes, under development by Prof. Peer Haller at the Technical University Dresden. 

Trees are a success model of evolution. Trunks, branches and crotches are best adapted to their environment and their form, function and stability are optimized. In these studies, attempts were made to transfer the mechanical characteristics of trees to architectural applications. 

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