The Biomimicry Institute: Learning from Termites

Who? 

Biomimicry Institute

What?

For a sense of what the Institute does, please view our interview with Beth Rattner. Featuring examples of biomimicry in action, the Biomimicry Institute website – among many other things – gives an example of how to learn from termites to create sustainable buildings. This focuses  on the Eastgate Centre, an office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe. The complex has an internal climate control system originally inspired by the structure of termite mounds.[1]

[1] https://asknature.org/

How? 

The most recent research on termite mounds suggests that they function much like mammalian lungs and act as accessory organs for gas exchange in the underground nests.

It appears that the main mechanism is through internal air currents driven by solar heat. As outside temperatures change throughout the day and the sun strikes different surfaces on the mound, temperature gradients develop between the mound periphery and centre. These temperature gradients create currents of rising and falling air inside the mound. 

The living world holds answers for us to create a more resilient, regenerative, and beautiful world. It is time to quiet our cleverness, to observe and listen deeply, and reconnect to nature’s wisdom by asking, “How does nature solve this?”

Outcomes/Example Projects

In the Harare office complex example, rather than using a traditional fuel-based air-conditioning system to regulate temperature within the building, the Centre is designed to exploit more passive and energy-efficient mechanisms of climate control. 

This process is facilitated by fans that operate on a cycle timed to enhance heat storage during the warm daytime and heat release during the cool night-time. Various openings throughout the building further enable passive internal airflow driven by outside winds. The $35 million building saved 10% on costs up-front by not purchasing an air-conditioning system. 

Rents are less expensive in this building compared to nearby buildings because of the savings in energy costs.

The growing understanding of macro-termite mound structure and function could inspire energy-saving climate control systems, which could substantially reduce GHG emissions.

Regenerative Principles

Very High Emphasis 

Rooted in place/ context

Living systems thrive within a place, and natural ecosystems are open but contained within a context. So for regenerative business, connection to place and community matters. There is no “one size fits all” approach – it’s about working with local and regional ecosystems.

Very High Emphasis 

Interconnectivity

Interconnectedness often leads to unexpected non-linear changes because of many different feedback loops in the system. These relationships are the heart of regeneration.

Very High Emphasis 

Dynamic

Regenerative systems are Dynamic, as is nature. Change is a given: seasons cause growth, blossoming and decay. Regeneration is not something you can “solve for” once and then ignore. It’s about recognising that change is a constant and developing the capacity to continually adapt.

Design Principles

Very High Emphasis

Learning from Nature

Best illustrated through the concept of biomimicry, ‘mimicking’ nature. Most well known in the world of design and architecture, the core idea behind it is widely applicable. It’s essentially about recognising that nature has a 3.8 billion year headstart on us when it comes to learning how to adapt, survive and thrive, and so we’d be foolish not to see it as a model to learn from and be inspired by. As Janine Benyus, Founder of the Biomimicry Institute puts it: “Life creates the conditions that are conducive to life.”

Very High Emphasis

Circularity

The principle of designing waste out of the system, recovering water, waste materials and energy through production, usage and recreation processes to generate more materials and energy.

Very High Emphasis 

Aligning Inner and Outer

A crucial principle is integrity, or alignment of inner and outer. You can’t be regenerative on the outside without also being regenerative on the inside.

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