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5 Buildings Inspired By Nature

May 22nd, 2020

Over the centuries, we have seen builders and architects looking towards nature for inspiration to shape their work. A major driver is seeing how nature responds to the changing environment, how species adapt and how humans could do the same in light of limited resources with depleted materials. Some incredible examples of buildings inspired by nature that inspire our vision for the future are:

  1. The East Gate Development – Architect Mick Pearce’s vision for the Eastgate centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, was born while watching termites construct their nests. Inspired by the way the insects use very limited resources to create ventilated mounds, permeating them with holes over the surface, Pearce set out to construct a building with holes all over the building’s exterior. A pioneering example of passive ventilation as the building uses renewable energy from the environment in place of normal air conditioning and heating systems.
  2. The Gherkin – UK’s iconic skyscraper built in 2004, the 180m tower has an air ventilation system similar to sea sponges and anemones. Like how sea sponges feed by allowing sea water to flow through their bodies, the Gherkin is modelled after the Venus Flower Basket Sea Sponge. Supported by an exoskeleton surface made from adhered layers of diamond-shaped glass arranged in a lattice design, it is designed so ventilation flows through the entire building.
  3. The National Taichung Theatre – in Taiwan this stunning theatre drew inspiration from the formation of rocks, caves and the transience of water a soft, flowing and mellow respite in the bustling cityscape.
  4. The Sagrada Familia Cathedral – A stunning masterpiece in Barcelona deeply influenced by the atmosphere of forests. Tree-like columns branch off near the roof for support, and in-between skylights contain green and gold glass to reflect light. Invoking the feeling of standing on a forest floor with trees towering above in the canopy allowing dappled sunlight through, this cathedral creates a contemplative atmosphere inviting prayer.
  5. The Lotus Temple New Delhi – Inspired by the shape of the lotus flower, architect Fariborz Sahba conceived of 27 freestanding marble petals arranged in groups of three to form nine sides. These materials come from Penteli mountain in Greece, the same source for the Parthenon in Athens.‘Organic buildings are the strength and lightness of the spiders’ spinning, buildings qualified by light, bred by native character to environment, married to the ground.’ – Frank Lloyd Wright

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