Biomimicry-Katie Hill

Biomimicry is a study of nature and its processes used to inspire solving human problems. Janine Benyus, author of Biomimicry:Innovation by Nature, looks to nature as a "model, measure, and mentor". That is the perfect description for nature's role in biomimicry. Nature plays as a model by showing an example of how the problem should be solved. Nature sets measurements by giving example of what needs to be taken into consideration to solve to the problem. Finally, nature is biomimicry's mentor by proving the correct outcome if the problem has been solved seccessfully. Nature is full of systems an patterns that aid for one another, and solve one another's problems. If we were to look to nature for inspiration for elements of design and creation, the end results will be more successful.

Now, wallowing in your success would not be wourth it unless resting among clouds. Resting among clouds? Is that possible? With Cheng-Tsung Feng and Kai-Ting Lin's Daydreamer it is. The Daydreamer is a series of foam balls connected to create a large pillow for lounging. This ball pillow consists of artificial fur, 9 low-density foam balls, 40 high-density foam balls, and canvas. The foam balls are made to move around and adjust to how the user wishes to lie upon them. The Daydreamer can become a couch, bed, or any arrangement used for lounging. This ball pillow was made to feel as if lying on a cloud, which is exactly what it does. A cloud serves as a model because it looks like a cloud and forms to the user as they please. A cloud shows measurement of how comfortable the ball pillow should be. Finally, a cloud is the perfect mentor for this ball pillow because everyone dreams of lying on a cloud. Using a cloud as a problem solver for the perfect lounge area is a great way of using biomimicry.

Unlike the Daydreamer, the next item does not exactly problem solve, yet it does show much inspiration from nature. The UK pavilion was invented by Thomas Heatherwick, presented at the Shanghai expo of 2010. The pavilion has long rods shooting out of the outside. These rods extend into the inside and on the ends are cased in seeds creating a seed cathedral. These long rods sway in response to wind and collect any light source from the sun in order to act as a fibre optic filaments that light up the inside aswell. At night the structure glows from the interior. The long rods on the outside wave around like cilia, cilia can be used as protection for a cell. What I have imagined as the purpose of the structure is to show how the cilia protects the inside seeds. Through the celia, only light is captured, which makes the seeds encasement glow. The glowing of the seeds represents life and the light captured in the cilia represents energy. Only energy is needed to make this seed cathedral alive, energy is the only thing that the cilia (rods) allow into the pavilion, hence protection against anything else. Though this does not exactly require a model, measure, and mentor from nature, the pavilion still represents a design that used many inspirations from nature.

Bio-mimicrybyLoves' Destiny

For my last example I wanted to show somthing a little bit different. Biomimicry is a fantastic way of showing art aswell as design. A lot of artists use nature to inspire their work and how they go about making their work. Biomimicry can also be shown through music. I've found this song called "Bio-mimicry" by Loves' Destiny. This piece uses different sounds of nature put together to make a song, except for the background melody and the snare that kicks in at about 1 minute and 41 seconds but the song returns to the sounds of nature after 2 minutes and 31 seconds. At the beginning there are faint bird noises that create a calm sense, followed by a light breeze, almost silent, but intriguing. Then, the sounds of a forest builds the listener up to the climax of snares, which then dies down again to an almost silent noise.

Also two other websites that show a lot of biomimicry in their architecture are:

we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/architecture

gadarchitecture.com/projects

(I would've used these as examples but they did not have much information)

designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/10105/uk-pavilion-at-shanghai-world-expo-2010.html

yankodesign.com/2010/06/16/conglomeration-of-ball-pillows/

soundcloud.com/loves-destiny/bio-mimicry

this song was posted on:

facebook.com/pages/Biomimicry/105624339460014