University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 2012 Biomimicry: Using Nature as a Model for Design Michael J. Maglic University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses Maglic, Michael J., "Biomimicry: Using Nature as a Model for Design" (2012). Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014. 871. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/871 This thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BIOMIMICRY: USING NATURE AS A MODEL FOR DESIGN A Thesis Presented By MICHAEL J. MAGLIC Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE May 2012 Architecture+Design Program © Copyright by Michael J. Maglic 2012 All Rights Reserved BIOMIMICRY: USING NATURE AS A MODEL FOR DESIGN A Thesis Presented By MICHAEL J. MAGLIC Approved as to style and content by: _______________________________________ Steve Schreiber, Chair _______________________________________ Kathleen Lugosch, Member _______________________________________ Alexander Schreyer, Member ____________________________________ William T. Oedel, Chair Department of Art, Architecture and Art History ABSTRACT BIOMIMICRY: USING NATURE AS A MODEL FOR DESIGN MAY 2012 MICHAEL J. MAGLIC, B.S., SUNY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AT ALFRED M. ARCH, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Kathleen Lugosch The relationship and connection between architecture and nature is one that has brought forth many questions, criticisms, and solutions. Today there is a new form of design that was introduced several years ago which requires modern man to look at the natural processes found in nature for inspiration. These processes have been around for decades but only recently has their true potential begun to emerge. The question is, can we take the philosophy behind natures living organisms and use them to aid in the development of mankind? We can and it is called Biomimicry. This thesis will explore the natural processes found in two specific organisms, the Human Body and the Namaqua Chameleon. These processes will be used to influence the design and function of a medical research, manufacturing, and therapy facility that focuses on advanced robotic prosthetics. By mimicking a variety of elements from nature, the final composition will not only respond to the activities within the building, but also to the surrounding environment. It is intended for this building to relate to both Massachusetts General Hospital and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. This project displays how Biomimicry can be used as an integrative architectural design component in order to achieve complete unity between the building, the users, and the environment. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................1 1.2 Architectural Expression vs. Sustainability .......................................................2 1.3 Designing for permanence .................................................................................5 1.4 Connection between Architecture and Nature ...................................................8 BIOMIMICRY ...................................................................................................................11 2.1 What is Biomimicry .........................................................................................11 2.1.1 Framework to Biomimicry ................................................................11 EXAMPLES OF BIOMIMICRY ......................................................................................13 3.1 Organism Level ................................................................................................13 3.1.1 Namibian Beetle and Water Collection ............................................13 3.1.2 Cactus and Temperature Regulation .................................................16 3.1.3 Humpback Whale and Wind Turbines ..............................................19 3.2 Behavioral Level ..............................................................................................21 3.2.1 Termite Mound and Temperature Regulation ...................................21 3.3 Ecosystem Level ..............................................................................................23 v 3.3.1 Zira Island Master Plan .....................................................................23 3.3.2 Coral Reef Project Haiti ....................................................................26 3.4 Criticism Against Biomimicry .........................................................................29 BUILDING TYPE .............................................................................................................31 4.1 Medical Implementations .................................................................................31 4.2 Building Research ............................................................................................32 4.3 Amputees .........................................................................................................33 4.4 Prosthetics ........................................................................................................34 4.5 Building Type ..................................................................................................36 4.6 Precedents ........................................................................................................37 4.7 Program ............................................................................................................38 4.8 Design Approach .............................................................................................39 THE HUMAN BODY .......................................................................................................40 5.1 Theory ..............................................................................................................40 5.2 Spongy bone and Structure ..............................................................................40 5.2.1 Topological Optimization .................................................................42 5.3 Arteries and Fluid Distribution ........................................................................44 5.3.1Fluid Dynamics and Efficient Mechanical Systems ......................................45 THE NAMAQUA CHAMELEON ....................................................................................46 6.1 Adaptive Skin and Regulating Temperature ....................................................46 6.1.1 Adaptive Fritting and Solar Collection .............................................47 THE DESIGN ....................................................................................................................49 7.1 Moving Forward ..............................................................................................49 vi 7.2 The Site ............................................................................................................49 7.3 Building Form and Structural Skin ..................................................................53 7.4 Site Development and Program Layout ...........................................................57 7.5 Sustainable Building Technologies..................................................................63 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................68 8.1 Final Thoughts .................................................................................................68 APPENDIX: FINAL BOARDS .........................................................................................70 BIBLIOGRAPHY ..............................................................................................................76 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Digiteo Labs by Stefan Behnisch .................................................................... 4 2. Loblolly House designed by KieranTimberlake ........................................... 10 3. Stenocara Beetle Collecting Water ............................................................... 14 4. Section of Hydrological Center for the University of Namibia .................... 15 5. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture office in Qatar .................... 18 6. Humpback Whale Fin ................................................................................... 19 7. Tubercles Featured on Wind Turbine ........................................................... 20 8. Termite Mound Temperature Regulation ..................................................... 22 9. Section Showing How Temperature is Regulated ........................................ 22 10. Overall Concept of Master Plan