Biomimetic Approaches in Architectural Design Education

Abstract

Biomimicry, bio-inspired design, biomimetic design are all terms used to describe the imitation of models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Biomimetic approaches have recently been implemented in design thinking methods due to the global need to utilize technological advances and to meet competencies in all design-based disciplines. Many scholars have incorporated biomimetic design in architectural education to meet those competencies especially for enhancing creativity and complex problem solving. Although several studies have explored the adoption of biomimicry in design, and especially in architectural design education, almost none have developed a clear framework for this purpose. The most famous of those studies are the BID class at Georgia Institute of Technology held in 2011 and the ITECH approach at Stuttgart University carried out in 2018. This paper aims at establishing a framework of criteria for adopting biomimicry in architectural design education. This is achieved by means of a comparative analysis of current architectural design programs and experimental studies incorporating biomimetic design into their curricula in junior through senior levels. The previous mentioned experimental studies and other selected studies were reviewed and analysed, and their impact on students’ creativity was evaluated. Despite their varied approaches in teaching and varied tools in assessing the output, they all corroborated that biomimetic design functioned as a catalyst for creating a vibrant studio environment for design education and helped students in understanding the process of creative thinking and complex problem solving. The paper concludes that biomimetic design is interdisciplinary in nature and could be integrated in design curricula specifically at both junior and senior levels for the purpose of enhancing creativity. It is expected that the findings of this research would stimulate additional interest in the area of biomimicry and design thinking and contribute to developing a database of instructional resources, as well as new and effective teaching methods, to enhance the pedagogy of biomimetic design in architectural education.