Biomimicry Process Book

BIOMIMICRY Creating a world empowered by nature’s genius

CONTENTS Primary Research

Introduction

Andrew interview Greg interview Extra sources

Meet the team What is Biomimicry?

Life principles Taxonomy 5 Framework 6

Data analysis

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Biology to design 7 Challenge to biology

Gaps within refugee camps Affinitization Insights

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First approach Secondary Research Adapt in harsh conditions Function cards 15 Skunk cabbage 20 Project scope 25

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Refugee camps 26 Temporary shelter 28 Case Studies 30

Reframed approach Secondary Research Main countries with refugees Azraq camp Case studies Case studies diagram Function cards Users

Ideation Final results / Deliverables Strategy description Revit render Close up Conclusion

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MEET THE TEAM

LUISA SOLANO M.A. Design for Sustainability Advertising

DIANA QUINTERO M.A. Design for Sustainability Industrial Design

GABRIELA VELEZ M.F.A. Design for Sustainability Design

KALEY BLASK M.F.A. Design for Sustainability Interior Design 2

As a species, humans are incredibly clever. While we have created some truly remarkable innovations, we have also created massive sustainability challenges for future generations. Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s genius; its time-tested patterns and strategies. The goal of biomimetic design is to create innovations that are able to adapt and fit in with life on Earth.

At its core, biomimicry is fueled by the idea that nature has already solved many of the issues that humans are grappling with today through time-tested patterns and processes. Over the course of 3.85 billion years, and with over 30 million species, our planet is filled with well-adapted designs. Biomimicry is not about what we can extract from nature, rather it’s about what we can learn from nature.

Consciously emulating nature’s genius, learning its secrets to survival, and applying these lessons to design work can result in sustainable design solutions that are conducive to life.

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LIFE’S PRINCIPLES Our planet is an incredibly complex, interconnected system. Some form of life has managed to sustain itself on Earth for the past 3.85 billion years, resulting in the resilient, expertly adapted ecosystems we see today. Over time, species have evolved in tandem with the Earth’s ever-changing conditions. Their survival techniques have been categorized based on their patterns into the Life’s Principles. The outermost ring of the Life’s Principles diagram is Earth’s operating conditions, which are the non-negotiable characteristics of our planet.

As biomimetic designers, we must always recognize these as the constraints in which we can design. At the center of the diagram, surrounded by the six different Life’s Principles, is “life creates conditions conducive to life”—this is both the result of the six principles and the aspirational goal we must set for ourselves as designers.

Life’s Principles is a tool for integrating nature’s genius into our work. In our case, Life’s Principles can be used as a strategic tool for design and for evaluating the sustainability and appropriateness of our designs. We referenced the Life’s Principles regularly throughout our design process as a way to set goals for our designs as well as to analyze which principles we were meeting with our design.

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TAXONOMY

The Biomimicry Taxonomy is a classification system used to organize the functions and strategies of Earth’s many organisms. Functions are why organisms do the things they do and strategies are how organisms do the things they do. Overall strategies are shown in the innermost grey band of the taxonomy, with their sub-strategies shown in the green band. The outermost light grey band of the taxonomy lists the many different functions that organisms do. In short, the taxonomy is tool to bridge the knowledge gap between biologists and designers because it uses terminology that is understandable by both parties. It allows biologists and designers to collaborate and approach design challenges in a way that is conducive to life. While we were designing our final solution, we referenced the taxonomy whenever we encountered different challenges to ask nature how it might solve these challenges.

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When it comes to practicing biomimicry, there are two different frameworks one can follow. The first, “Biology to Design” is used when the process begins with a biological inspiration that motivates the design. The second, “Challenge to Biology” is used when the process calls for a specific problem to be addressed where designers can seek out biological inspiration for the solution. Both Biology to Design and Challenge to Biology are 8-step frameworks with slightly different orders that correspond with how designers on a project team can tackle biomimicry projects. Overall, we followed the Biology to Design framework throughout this project, however, we did use the Challenge to Biology framework during the design phase whenever we needed to meet specific challenges.

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Biology to Design

1

2

3

4

Discover natural models

Abstract biological strategies

Identify function

Define context

a. Go out into nature to discover

a. Once you find a biological inspiration, determine the mechanism behind their strategy and translate that into a design principle. This step can be seen in the function cards that follow this section.

a. Identify the real challenge by determining function. Consider the biological strategy and the abstracted design principle to determine what need is being met.

a.

Define the potential contexts, or applications, for the function. Once you have identified the function, brainstorm all the different contexts in which that function needs to be accomplished. For example, a non-toxic adhesive would be beneficial in hospital settings.

organisms/ecosystems

that

either

inspire you or are accomplishing what you want to do with your design. b. Browse media resources to discover inspirational organisms. c. Brainstorm with biologists. In our case, we were lucky enough to work with Cathy J. Sakas, our “Biologist at the Design Table,” who took our class on several field trips to discover nature.

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5

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Brainstorm bio-inspired ideas

Integrate life’s principles

Emulating design principles

Measure using life’s principles

a. Now that function and context are defined, brainstorm ideas for applying the design principle.

a. Reference the Life’s Principles to make sure they’re embedded into your favorite solutions from the brainstorming session. If they’re not, go back to brainstorming to make sure you’re meeting some of the Life’s Principles.

a. Create a design based on the form, process, or ecosystem (or all 3) of the different biological strategies you’ve identified for the project.

a. Assess your design solution to ensure it’s addressing the Life’s Principles that you want it to address.

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Challenge to Biology

1

2

3

4

Define context

Identify function

Integrate life’s principles

Discover natural models

a. Define the context and the scope of work. Explore and research the field that your challenge is involved with. For example, if you want to design for a hospital campus, find out everything there is to know about hospitals.

a. Identify the function of the challenge by determining what the real challenge is, don’t ask “what do you want to design?” (ie: an air conditioner) but ask “what do you want your design to do?” (ie: make people feel cooler).

a. Integrating Life’s Principles into the design brief before you begin designing as guidelines for what your design should accomplish.

a. “Biologize” the question being asked to frame the problem in such a way that asks “how does nature perform my design function?” b. Go out into nature to discover organisms/ecosystems that either inspire you or are accomplishing what you want to do with your design. c. Browse media resources to discover inspirational organisms. d. Brainstorm with biologists.

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5

6

7

8

Abstract biological strategies

Brainstorm bio-inspired ideas

Emulate design principles

Measure using life’s principles

a. Translate the biological strategies you’ve identified into design principles.

a. Utilize the design principles you’ve formed in a brainstorming session for design solutions.

a. Create a design based on the form, process, or ecosystem (or all 3) of the different design principles you’ve identified for the project.

a. Assess your design solution to ensure it’s addressing the Life’s Principles that you want it to address.

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BIOMIMICRY SPIRALS

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ADAPT IN HARSH CONDITIONS Whether due to global warming or geographical location, there are places on earth that present challenging conditions for humans to thrive. Our team originally focused on challenges such as water collection, water storage, and temperature regulation. We sought inspiration from nature to understand how different organisms can face these types of challenges in a successful way.

Collect water

Bromeliad

Store water

Lady’s Mantle

Skunk Cabbage

Loons

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Regulate temperature

Mangroves

Desert Snail

Collect water

Store water

Regulate temperature

Lady’s Mantle

Loons

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FUNCTION CARDS Function cards are a step in the Biology to Design framework that require levels of abstraction in order to quiet human cleverness and determine design principles.

Function cards allow us to translate the benefits and opportunities each biological strategy offers to a human solution. First, we attempt to understand the biological mechanism in as much detail as possible. This mechanism leads us to identify how the strategy works.

Those strategies tell us how the function is achieved in nature. By abstracting what nature is doing we can create design principles that emulate those functions.

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Bromeliad

Desert Snail

Mangroves

Skunk Cabbage

BROMELIAD - Bromeliaceae (Epiphytic plants) MECHANISM: Specialized leaf-based tanks in the center of the plant collect water. The leaves spiral and arrange to form a rosette cup that can hold water without leaking. Their simple strap-shaped leaves and parallel venation, make them suitable for modeling leaf hydraulic conductance.

FUNCTION: Water capturing STRATEGY: Tightly bound structure with their leaves to capture water and nutrients

DESIGN PRINCIPLE: A structure of layers using the hydrophobic surface as a channel to allow water to flow towards a storage tank.

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DESERT SNAIL (Sphincterochila boissieri) MECHANISM: Survive in hot temperatures by regulating its temperature with passive cooling. Hot air flows in the direction of lower temperature as it moves from the hot sand through the top of the shell. Keeping the living part of the snail, the soft body, within a habitable temperature threshold in a hot and arid environment. In addition to that, the thick white shell reflects 90 - 95% of the sun’s heat.

FUNCTION: Desiccation tolerance STRATEGY: Protect from light, water loss, and temperature.

DESIGN PRINCIPLE: Thick white material reflects heat and sun’s rays and thermodynamics passively cool the interior of a spiral structure.

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WHITE MANGROVES (Laguncularia racemos) MECHANISM: Survive in salt water by filtrating solids and salt.

First, proton pumps use chemical energy from the energy-transporting molecule ATP to drive protons into a compartment and establish a proton concentration gradient.

Then, an ion exchanger uses the energy of the proton gradient to move sodium ions and protons in opposite directions, at the same time. Parts of the gland that aren’t in contact with the cell are surrounded by a cuticle that prevents ions from flowing back into the cells. The sodium solution becomes concentrated and builds up pressure in the salt gland, which then secretes the salt as a concentrated solution.

FUNCTION: Water filtration STRATEGY: Excrete salt (sodium ions) to intake fresh water.

DESIGN PRINCIPLE: A pump system that exchanges resources to compartmentalize, collect, and excrete unwanted solids, leaving fresh water inside the structure.

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EASTERN SKUNK CABBAGE (Symplocarpus foetidus) MECHANISM: Maintains an internal temperature 15° to 35°C above ambient air temperatures of -15° to +15°C. Temperature regulation is accomplished by variations in respiratory rate.

Plants respire just like animals do, and skunk cabbage produces energy from starch that’s stored in the roots.

During their pollination phase, skunk cabbage flowers consume as much oxygen, by mass, as a shrew or hummingbird. As air temperature falls, the skunk cabbage responds by increasing its metabolism and heat production.

FUNCTION: Thermogenesis STRATEGY: Using more energy while their respiration to produce heat to self-regulate their temperature.

DESIGN PRINCIPLE: A system that burns reserves to generate heat and self regulates according to climate extreme conditions.

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Eastern Skunk Cabbage (Selected) Parts LEAVES Grows in a circle around a central stem which doesn’t grow higher than ground level 15.75-21.5” L x 12-15.75” W

ROOT Large, central root surrounded by a large mass of fibrous roots that grow deeper into the ground each year 1’ L x 3-6” W

SPADIX The inner, spherical head of flowers. Pure yellow or dark purple flowers “bloom” when they release their pollen - 2-5” H SPATHE “Hood” leaf, wraps around itself to enclose the spadix mottled maroon and yellow or solid maroon - 4-6” H

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WHERE IT GROWS? Swampy, wet areas of forests in North America and Asia. Grows in soil ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

HOW IT GROWS? (put diagram, titled - skunk cabbage life cycle in the skunk cabbage images folder) *credit Nature Institute

ANIMALS IN CONTACT WITH IT Leaves contain toxic crystals of calcium oxalate, however, they are food for snails, slugs, moths, and caterpillars Gnats, carrion flies, and flesh flies pollinate the flowers because they are attracted to skunk cabbage’s smell

OTHER USES Roots were cooked and eaten by some Native American tribes. Used to treat medical conditions (headache, earache, bleeding, sores, etc.) Leaves can be dried and used in soups and stews.

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Eastern Skunk Cabbage Function Thermogenesis

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REFUGEE CAMPS There is no denying the global Refugee crisis. People around the globe are being forced to pack their bags to escape brutal violence, political conflict, or extreme weather conditions. Currently, nearly four million refugees reside in planned or self-settled camps. Today, there are more refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) than at any point since World War II. Refugee camps are usually constructed overnight after the mass exodus of people being forced from their homes. They are designed as temporary facilities with limited space and resources. However, refugees any have grown and developed into fully fledged cities, complete with vibrant economies, systems of governance, and civic institutions.

-https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/2016/refugee-camps/ 26

1 in 113

65.3m

people on Earth has now been driven from their home

displaced people

>200,000

refugees were able to return home in 2015.

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86%

are hosted in developing countries.

0.66%

of the world's refugees were approved for resettlement in another country

TEMPORARY SHELTER With this information, we initially considered improving the design of the temporary shelters used within refugee camps. Secondary research lead us to many interventions in the quality, size, and transportation of temporary shelters. We understand that the shelters are very important for the people living in the camp, as it has to act as a home for them for the duration of their life as a refugee. The design of the shelter is also important for the UNHCR and other NGO operating within a refugee camp, as they have to distribute, build, and maintain them. In order to understand the capacities, layouts and distributions we did some further research as to how the tents are constructed and the standards different camp planners are using. This gave us a better understanding of materials, space management, and durability.

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Any home, single or multi-unit dwelling or housing unit in which persons who are without housing or a fixed address receive temporary housing or shelter

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CASE STUDIES

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IKEA’s flat pack “Better Shelter” refugee shelter The Better Shelter’s lightweight yet robust frame is made from strong galvanised steel. It can be anchored to the ground and will withstand rain, snow and strong winds. The roof and walls are made of polyolefin panels treated with UV protection to reduce deterioration caused by strong sunlight. The steel frame is modular, and many of the structure’s components are interchangeable. The shelter can easily be dismantled, moved and reassembled. Unlike tents, which may require the entire structure to be changed if any part is damaged, components on Better Shelter units can be replaced individually. The expected lifespan of the structure is three years in moderate climates. The roof and wall panels are made from polymer plastic and can be recycled.

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SHIFTPOD Shiftpods by Advanced Shelter Systems are easy-to-construct and transportable. Since the founding of Advanced Shelter Systems, they have donated one Shiftpod for every 20 sold. Weighing in at 64 pounds, the Shiftpod compacts to 77”x13”x13” and can be assembled in minutes. Shiftpod’s goal is to set up kits for individuals to take with them that have a shelter, water filtration, and everything you need for a family of four to survive for 30 days and to build systems for up to 1,600 people [that can be stored] in one container.”

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