Biodesign: About Biomimicry
- Eyoung Kim
- Mar 17, 2023
- 2 min read
The term biomimicry, also known as Biomimetics, has originated from the Greek words bio, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to emulate. Like what the root of the word suggests, according to the Biomimicry Institute, biomimicry is a strategy for seeking “sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature”.
There are three existing elements in biomimicry; Ethos, (Re)connect, and Emulate. Ethos, in this case, represents the ideological understanding of how life works in nature. This philosophical ideology allows people to render products or environments that are beneficial to life. Connect is to seek value in ourselves being interconnected with the place on earth. Lastly, Emulate refers to the scientific method or technology that’s essential to replicate nature forms.
Designers are known to regularly integrate the concept of biomimicry in their own products. To comprehend the reason why we need to refer back to the past. Throughout history, humans have consistently aimed to find solutions by getting inspiration from nature. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519), one of the prominent artists during the era of Renaissance, studied birds to implement human flight. Investigating and examining the anatomy that allowed birds to fly, Leonardo Da Vinci invented the “ornithopter”, the flying machine that was based on the inspiration gained from birds. Even though the ornithopter failed to function properly, in 1903, the Wright brothers successfully created the first plane based on Leonardo Da Vinci’s project.
Biomimicry has been the source of inspiration for humans to design sustainable development and find solutions, especially in architecture throughout history. Not only it gives inspiration, but it also changes the perspective of viewing the world. Viewing the space of Earth to be profoundly interconnected with us, humans come up with rational decisions that incorporate global sustainability and collaboration. Thanks to the exponential growth in scientific technology, We humans are proportionally given more opportunities to design and develop ideas based on biomimicry.
Work Cited
Y Studios. “Insights: Passion: Y Studios - Biomimicry Design: Mother Nature's Influence on Products and Design.” Y Studios, Y Studios, 13 June 2020, https://ystudios.com/insights-passion/biomimicry-design.
(PDF) the State of the Art in Biomimetics - Researchgate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234097984_The_state_of_the_art_in_biomimetics.
Rovalo, Erin. “What Are the Essential Elements of Biomimicry?” Biomimicry 3.8 Blog: Synapse.bio, Biomimicry 3.8 Blog: Synapse.bio, 22 Feb. 2018, https://synapse.bio/blog//essential-elements-of-biomimicry.
“What Is Biomimicry?” Biomimicry Institute, 21 Feb. 2023, https://biomimicry.org/what-is-biomimicry/#:~:text=The%203%20Essential%20Elements%20of,core%20values%20at%20its%20essence.
“Leonardo Da Vinci's Flying Machine Invention.” Leonardo Da Vinci Inventions, https://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/flying-machine.
Ghisleni, Camilla. “What Is Biomimetic Architecture?” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 31 Dec. 2020, https://www.archdaily.com/954004/what-is-biomimetic-architecture.
Gaia. What Is Biomimicry?, http://environment-ecology.com/biomimicry-bioneers/367-what-is-biomimicry.html.