Date of Submission
Spring 5-7-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Robin Puttock
Abstract
This project studies how typical building projects contribute to our environmental issues today and possible ways to reduce that contribution moving forward. In my literature review, I discuss the potential of biomimetic design as a possible solution for more environmentally considerate architecture techniques. Building operations and the construction process are two of the leading contributors to energy consumption and our growing ecological footprint as an industry. Everything from sourcing materials, to site preparation, and ultimately building occupation, factor into the effect of a structure’s life on the environment. The embodied and operational energy use of our expanding infrastructure continues to have a negative impact on the global environment through greenhouse gas emissions and rapid site excavation. Biomimetic architectural design offers opportunities to develop construction techniques and integrated building systems that reduce energy consumption while having a less detrimental impact on the site. This thesis project is a study of life in five major ecosystems: tundra, mountainous, desert, forest, and aquatic landscapes, to find natural inspiration for developing architectural strategies. Learning how plants and animals interact within their respective domains can inform the way we design and show us how to build more cohesively with nature. Each ecosystem will showcase a biomimetic source, biomimetic solution, and an architectural application for a small two-bedroom home. The goal of this project is to discover and apply architectural opportunities from each environment that focus on site preservation and reducing energy consumption throughout the lifecycle of a building. I am exploring these biomimetic solutions with the intent of creating environmentally-friendly and engaging designs that highlight the possibilities of architecture in the future.