Nature is millions of years old. By contrast, human presence on Earth dates back only hundreds of thousands of years. Our lifespan is insignificant compared to the age of the Earth. Although humans have proven to be intelligent designers, we are now facing the repercussions of our approach to sustainability. Climate change and biodiversity loss have put our future at risk. However, if we take a closer look, nature reveals itself to be a highly intelligent designer, having had millions of years to evolve. Acknowledging this we have a wealth of information at our disposal by learning from nature’s designs. This practice is called biomimicry (J. Benyus). When studying nature’s design principles, we observe some of the following:
Form for Function Nature often uses specialized forms to fulfill specific functions, offering valuable lessons for architecture and design. For instance, the shape of a kingfisher’s beak inspired the design of a train’s front, which reduced air resistance, leading to lower noise levels and energy consumption.
Recycling In nature, everything is recycled—there is no waste. Every organism serves as a resource for another, whether alive or dead.
Cooperation Many organisms collaborate in ways from which we can learn. For example, bee and ant colonies demonstrate intricate cooperation that can inspire organizational models.
Diversity Nature thrives on biodiversity. Polyculture is the norm, with species working together in networks that serve various functions to support ecosystems.
Local Resources Nature predominantly utilizes local resources, though it also employs efficient strategies to spread and integrate with other ecosystems.
Balancing Excess In resilient systems, the unchecked growth of a single species is rare. Natural balance regulates populations.
Working Within Limits Natural processes, including chemical reactions, occur within a range of moderate temperatures. Nature harnesses the power of limits, ensuring processes remain efficient and sustainable.
By adopting nature’s intelligence through biomimicry, we can achieve excellent outcomes in design, whether for products or organizational structures.
Eveline Stilma