BioInspire Magazine

The History of BioInspire

2010/09/17 Please see post on the migration of data from this weblog to a new website.

BioInspire was a monthly publication founded by John Mlade while at Colorado State University to address the interface of human design, nature and technology.  Each month, a leader in the field contributed an article on the application of biomimicry to architecture and building design. 

A total of 26 issues were published between January 2003 and July 2005.  Shortly thereafter, the BioInspire magazine distribution list was merged with the Biomimicry Institute's BioInspired! Newsletter.

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Copyright 2003-2005 BioInspire. All rights reserved. Republishing BioInspire in print or on a web site, in whole or in part, or commercial distribution in any form requires advance permission of the publisher.

New Location for BioInspire Archive

As part of the re-launch of the BioInspired! Newsletter, the associated website consolidates the BioInspired! newsletter archive, the original BioInspired e-magazine, resources  and events.  The new website supports improved tagging, rating of posts and a better search capabilities.

Please update your bookmarks - in a few months, this weblog will be discontinued.

July 2005: Sustainability in Design: Have we heard enough?

Author: Peter Crawford

Download BioInspire.26-07.06.05.pdf

Peter describes both the aesthetic and functional aspects of design, then provides a definition of sustainable design as "... meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Sometimes, taking into account how the end product is created and disposed can demonstrate how ugly and even toxic the product is.

Designers do not choose to create bad products. Many things can contribute to poor designs, include lax legal standards, time pressure and lack of information. Peter includes a number of examples from Biomimicry that show designers can create products that are truly beautiful, because they "cause no harm or ugliness, human or ecological, in any place or at any time."

April 2005: Art as Landscape/Landscape as Art Abstract:

Author: Peter Warshall

Download BioInspire.25-04.16.05.pdf

Peter argues that "Landscape ecology and modern art ... (strive to) ... accurately describe the richness and beauty we all perceive." Many concepts are shared between the two disciplines, including the configuration of patches, the contrast between edges and patches, boundaries, the importance of the 'surround' and the decision between what is foreground and what is background. Landscape art also suggests a "biocentric sense of landscape harmony" that focuses on the connections between elements. Similarly, we can appreciate the harmony in ecosystems from the perspective of the organisms that inhabit them.

February 2005: Earth's Natural Internet - Healing the planet with mushrooms

Author: Paul Stamets 

Download BioInspire.24-02.24.05.pdf

This article describes the amazing world of fungi, one of the most prevalent and diverse life-forms on earth. Fungi form critical symbiotic relationships with other species, in ways only poorly understood. The lost of fungal species in Europe may be related to declining forest vigor.

The author has been active in exploring 'mycoremediation', including treatment of heavy oils. Fungi have shown not only to be effective at breaking down toxic substances, but also acted as 'keystone' organisms encouraging other insects and plants to populate the area.

Fungi have also proven to be useful as biological filters, removing bacteria in multiple environments. Work is underway to combine mycofiltration with John Todd's Living Machines.

We have only begun to understand the full potential of fungi, which "have survived for millennia due to their inherent ability to adapt."

January 2005: What is Deep Ecology?

Author: Stephan Harding

Download BioInspire.23-01.31.05.pdf

Stephan describes the key concepts of 'deep ecology', as developed by Arne Naess and George Sessions. Deep ecology seeks answers to ethical questions about how we should live by focusing on deep experience, deep questioning, and deep commitment.

Deep experience involves the "perception of gestalts, or networks of relationships," leading to a "heightened sense of empathy and an expansion of our concern for non-human life." Deep questioning helps build "a coherent framework for elucidating fundamental beliefs," with a strong emphasis on action. It asks questions the fundamental assumptions underlying our culture, in contrast to approaches that adopt a "reform" approach. Deep commitment leads "people (to) act from their whole personality, giving rise to tremendous energy and commitment ... and will lead towards ecological sustainability."

December 2004: The Biomimicry Way

Author: Onno Koelman 

Download BioInspire.22-12.13.04.pdf

In the third article of the series, Onno focuses on an essential aspect of Biomimicry: "rewarding co-operation and making symbiotic relationships work." How can buildings learn from the diversity and interdependence of type III ecosystems? Can buildings optimize their designs to the locate climate and location? Can buildings integrate in existing developments or natural landscapes?

One example is the Casper's building in Vancouver, British Columbia. The developer spent a year interviewing members of the local community, resulting in a mixed-use building that exemplifies diversity and co-operation. Other examples are 'eco-industrial' parks, such as Kalundborg in Denmark or the even larger network discovered by Erich Schwarz in Styria, Austria. In both cases, companies have discovered that recycled 'waste' can both be cheaper and often better quality than raw materials, when the full costs are included.

Again looking to nature for inspiration, buildings could become self-sufficient, drawing water and energy from renewable resources and eliminating the need to dispose of sewage and garbage. Clusters of buildings would co-operate, maximizing efficiency at the community level and improving resiliency.

October 2004: Biomimetic Buildings - Understanding & Applying the Lessons of Nature

Author: Onno Koelman 

Download BioInspire.21-10.26.04.pdf

Onno starts the article by posing the question: "Can we keep building and building while at the same time slow down our damage to the environment? Is there perhaps a way that building could have a restorative effect?" Onno's previous article described the three ways Biomimicry can help develop better materials, find natural process for basic heating functions, and encourage development of buildings that produce (rather than drain) resources.

The Rocky Mountain Institute has been at the forefront of the green building movement. RMI is looking to nature to solve six major problems involving buildings, including scaling in pipes, toxic adhesives, concrete, coloring, cooling and mold growth.

This article describes some specific examples, including solving the problem of pipe scaling, identifying alternatives to concrete, and the application of principles learned from termite mounds to naturally cool buildings. A key requirement is collaboration between architects, engineers, biologists and designers in a "synthesis of fields", to achieve "the non-violent overthrow of bad engineering."

September 2004: "Building the Future of Buildings"

Author: Onno Koelman

Download BioInspire.20-09.27.04.pdf

Onno provides an overview of Biomimicry and impact it has had on visionary companies, then applies its principles to the construction industry, where "buildings use approximately 40 percent of all U.S. energy ... (and) the construction industry produces up to 40 percent of the material that goes into our landfills."

Although ideas from nature show promise in radically changing how we design and construct buildings, Onno describes how natural systems could result in more subtle changes, such as a building that is "a net contributor to its surroundings" in areas such as energy and water collection, storage and distribution. Buildings could provide food while at the same time eliminating waste. RMI has been at the forefront of green development and is now preparing to lead this next revolution, facilitating the integration of biology, engineering, and architecture into a whole-systems program for making fundamentally better buildings."

August 2004: "Restorer Eco-Machines for the Culture of Aquatic Animals and the Restoration of Polluted Aquatic Environments"

Author: John Todd

Download BioInspire.19-08.19.04.pdf

The article describes how floating 'eco-machines' generating their own power and containing "treatment cells" supporting diverse life forms could rehabilitate heavily polluted ponds and canals, allowing them to once again sustain healthy population of plants and animals. 'Eco-machines' replicate the natural processes in an aquatic environment, but in a more concentrated and effective form.

Successful examples include waste treatment ponds handling contamination from landfill and poultry production, a sewage-laden canal, and a brackish, algae-loaded pond in a golf course. Future applications include fish culture and harbor-front restoration.

July 2004: "The Living Building"

Authors: Bob Berkebile and Jason McLennan

Download BioInspire.18-07.17.04.pdf

The article describes the current model of "buildings as machines" - increasingly unrelated to culture or climate, inefficient users of energy, and major contributors to waste. The authors contrast this to a prior model where buildings had evolved to meet the unique needs and material of their specific location. Rather than "machines for living in," a different model could be based on flowers:

• marvels of adaptation
• rooted in place, drawing energy from their specific location
• ecosystems in their own right
• through their beauty, provide inspiration

An increasing number of technologies are now available that are compatible with the principles of Biomimicry, including multi-purpose photovoltaics, fuel cells and ecological waste treatment. One of the leading examples demonstrating the power of combining green technologies with sustainable design principles is the EpiCenter in Bozeman, Montana, designed to "generate a significant portion of its power without pollution, clean all its own wastes on site, and respond actively to temperature changes to maintain a comfortable indoor environment." The article closes with a set of principles of the Living Building of the future, ranging from harvesting resource needs on site, to "be beautiful and inspire us to dream."

June 2004: "Places to Intervene in a System

Author: Donella H. Meadows 

Download BioInspire.17-06.22.04.pdf

This article is about "leverage points" - the "...places within a complex systems ... where a small shift in one thing can produce big changes in everything." Discovering leverage points can be challenging. Donella contends that applying leverage points correctly can often be counterintuitive.

Donella describe nine types of leverage points that can be used to drive system changes, in increasing importance:
9. Numbers, or the parameters of systems (i.e. length of delay in a feedback loop). Rarely change behaviors, unless they approach ranges that affect other factors.
8. Material stocks and flows (i.e. buffers). Usually physical entities that are not easily changed.
7. Regulating negative feedback loops (i.e. control mechanisms, such as marketing pricing). Critical that negative feedback strength matches the forces it is correcting.
6. Driving positive feedback loops. Without negative feed back, can lead to chaos. Reducing 'gain' of positive feedback loops can allow corrective measures to be effective.
5. Information flows (i.e. creation of new feedback loops). Information needs to be compelling and applied in the right place.
4. The rules of the system (incentives, punishments, constraints). Defining the scope, boundaries and degrees of freedom of the system. Critical to understand who has power over the rules.
3. The power of self-organization, creating new structures and behaviors.
2. The goals of the system.
1. The mindset or paradigm of the system, from which derive the goals, information flows, feedbacks, stocks and flows.
0. The power to transcend paradigms, recognizing that no paradigms are the "truth" .

May 2004: "Faith in Sustainability"

Author: John Mlade 

Download BioInspire.16-05.19.04.pdf

John gives a personal perspective of how "sustainability" is related to who he is and what he believes. John proposes that sustainability needs to be embraced as a spiritual movement that cuts across traditional divisions and beliefs and helps us "discover (our) core values and help us live happier, healthier and more sustainable lifestyles."

April 2004: "Earth Day 2004"

Author: John Mlade 

Download BioInspire.15-EarthDay.04.pdf

John has collected a broad range Earth Day events, including renewable energy and sustainable living fairs. John Long, founder of the Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair, said "The Fair provides effective ways to create the change they want to see in the world. It also provides the vendors with great networking opportunities with other like-minded groups, so we can start working together co-operatively and build synergy for the latest in sustainable technologies and products."

March 2004: "Healthy Diet and Lifestyles in the Race for Life on Earth"

Author: Bradley Saul (Organic Athlete)

Download BioInspire.14-03.15.04.pdf

Bradley emphasizes the importance of personal health, allowing us to continue attacking global problems while at the same time "minimizing the impact on - or better yet regenerating - the earth in the production and consumption of our food." He suggests that based on comparative anatomy, we are best suited to eating fruits and vegetables, rather than relying on grains and meats. The responsible growing of fruits and vegetables can help restore the natural environments. Bradley also discusses the role of exercise, clean air and water, and adequate rest.

February 2004: "Beyond Sustainability: From Scarcity to Abundance"

Author: David Schaller (Sustainable Development Coordinator) 

Download BioInspire.13-02.16.04.pdf

David provides an antidote to the belief that sustainability is tied to notions of scarcity and austerity, where our valiant efforts at best only slow the rate of decline. Our tendency to focus on specific pieces of the larger puzzle forces us to develop sub-optimal solutions. Our economic models encourage us to compartmentalize, leading to a belief that all transactions must be 'zero-sum' (your success must be at my expense). In contrast, David proposes that we look towards the sheer abundance and diversity of Nature for inspiration. Scarcity of trees used as firewood can become an abundance of uses, from cooking oils to powerful medicines. Natural systems have evolved not only to eliminate 'waste', but to turn waste into valuable resources. Nature has much to teach us in the separation of complex materials, such that our industrial systems no longer demand ever increasing amounts of resources, and then burn or bury the end-of-life products.

January 2004: "Saving the World in Style"

Author: Sean Schmidt (Sustainable Style Foundation)

Download BioInspire.12-01.16.04.pdf

Sean describes the importance of individual 'style' (rather than fashion) in bringing sustainability to the mainstream. Adopting a style can help break down misconceptions about being socially and environmentally responsible, and can be a powerful force for change. Sean lists 10 tips to help us "look fabulous, live well, do good" , from emphasizing quality over quantity, to getting the full story, connecting to a cause, and inspiring a friend.

December 2003: "This Year's Reflections on Thanksgiving"

Author: David Eisenberg (Director Development Center for Appropriate Technology)

Download BioInspire.11-12.16.03.pdf

David shares with us his personal feelings about the challenges of continuing to move forward for extended periods of time in the face of overwhelming need, persistent challenges and apparent apathy from the larger community. Jonathon Porritt "...said we must deny denial without allowing that to disable us." David proposes "...standing up every day and saying no to greed, saying no to those whose power is based in fear, who insist that it is 'us' versus 'them' ... only by standing together against that fear-mongering can we have any hope of leaving anything worthwhile to any of our children anywhere on this little planet." We have to go out, engage and influence those who can make a difference, but at the same time "...remember also to get together regularly for choir practice, to learn our parts, harmonize our voices, remember we aren't alone."

November 2003: "Bioneers Youth Initiative Overview"

Author: John Mlade (The Biomimicry Guild)

Download BioInspire.10-11.18.03.pdf

This month's BioInspire is dedicated to youth initiatives and Bioneers Conference 2003, held this year between October 17-19 in San Rafael, California. The goal of the Bioneers Youth project is to "...support and catalyze youth leaders and educators engaged in environmental and social justice work, and connect them to a network of peers and accomplished mentors. Bioneers youth honor the transformative power of alliance across race, age, gender, class and culture, and importance of diversity in addressing the challenges facing the Earth." The article describes a number of projects, focused on sustainable food production, promoting youth leadership and encouraging green building initiatives.

September 2003: "A New Water Paradigm"

Author: Ryan Case (The Water Stewards Network) 

Download BioInspire.9-09.23.03.pdf

The author describes our rapid destruction of water, due to a water management paradigm based on centralization and disregard of the consequences of manipulation, including such as nutrient/pollutant build-up, high energy requirements and soil degradation. Our separation from the sources of water leads to destructive or counterproductive behavior - instead of cleaning up pollution that contaminates our water, we buy bottled water. The article includes several examples of appropriate ways to meet our needs for water, including Dr. John Todd's living water purification systems, solar distillation, rain-fed agriculture and ancient methods of water management. These examples emphasize the need for stewardship of water resources.

August 2003: "Evolution as Paradigm in Architecture and Urbanism"

Author: Norman Crowe

Download BioInspire.8-08.18.03.pdf

The author contrasts the 'modernist theory' of urban architecture with the more traditional design theories prevalent prior to the 1940s. Modernist design is based on the concept of continual re-invention and clear breaking with tradition. Examples include sterile "social housing" and the growth of suburbs, each isolated from their context and based on the theoretical precepts at the time. In comparison, traditional design focuses on 'translation' and 'transformation' - taking into account existing customs, wisdom and design. This approach is similar to biological evolution. Traditional designs are frequently based on natural analogies or have natural symbolic significance. Traditional architecture is regaining a foothold in the U.S. and Europe, partly due to a recognition of the environmental destruction associated with modern design. There is a danger that design becomes driven by nostalgia and romanticism - again, evolutionary theory can provide discipline and the necessary critical evaluation. The article includes an extensive annotated bibliography.

July 2003: "Life's Inspiration"

Author: John Mlade

Download BioInspire.7-07.17.03.pdf

The author describes the challenges of creating 'natural' designs, and the power of Biomimicry to bridge the "gap between understanding (natural principles) and the application of these principles in design." Beyond using Nature as a model, Biomimicry encourages us to apply ecological standards to evaluating our innovations, and see Nature as a source of inspiration, not merely raw materials. The article includes a number of Biomimicry examples, including:

• water harvesting systems
• self-cleaning surfaces
• self-cooling office buildings.

June 2003: "Curitiba: Still the Ecological Capital?"

Author: Eve Z. Bratman

Download BioInspire.6-06.16.03.pdf

This article describes the evolution of Curitiba, Brazil from the self-proclaimed "Ecological Capital" to the "Social Capital" of Brazil. A city of three million, Curitiba has struggled to "avoid the classic case of uncontrolled development and the problems of urban sprawl." It is redefining itself "by planning for people rather than for cars, and by planning with social welfare and cultural enrichment..." Innovations include: - exchange of recyclables for food and transit tokens network of artisan fairs - bus rapid transit system, based on public input - bicycle path network - public awareness campaigns for pedestrian/cyclist safety.

May 2003: "Waking Up in the Rainforest"

Author: David Wann

Download BioInspire.5-05.16.03.pdf

This article emphasizes the importance of creating sustainable commerce that preserves natural systems instead of destroying them. Until we understand our place in nature, we will continue to consume products that appear cheap and simple to produce, yet bring hidden costs. David describes his experiences in the Rara Avis ecotourist reserve of Costa Rica. A key insight is 'complexity-in-balance', such that every niche is occupied, nothing is wasted, and resource consumption is minimized. The founder of Rara Avis, Amos Bien, is trying to demonstrate that the rain forest is worth more as a system than cut down for short-term gain, through identifying sustainable products that leave the forest intact.

April 2003: "Packaging Tips from the Porcupine Fish (and other Wild Packagers)"

Authors: Janine M. Benyus and Dayna Baumeister

Download BioInspire.4-04.16.03.pdf

This article describes some of the fascinating approaches that Nature applies to packaging, including packages that contain, packages that protect and packages that connect. Last, but not least, Nature creates packaging using benign methods, avoiding waste in all phases of the package lifecycle.

March 2003: "When Spiders Mate, New Worlds are Spun"

Author: Mikela and Philip Tarlow

Download BioInspire.3-03.17.03.pdf

This article describes emerging social trends driven by the integration of corporate and public communication, either by choice (Linux, eBay, Amazon) or through unexpected events (downloading of music, blogs/mobile video streaming as grassroots journalism). These changes in information channels can have significant impacts on power relationships, gatekeepers and channels for goods/services.

February 2003: "Biomimicry / BioDesign"

Author: David Oakey (Pond Studios) 

Download BioInspire.2-02.15.03.pdf

This article raises the question "Can we believe in human ingenuity alone to lead us to the future with chemical and scientific ways?" and suggests that a better approach lies through closer links between natural and human systems. David points out that Biomimicry is not new - nature has often been a source of inspiration for design, back to the 15th century and Leonardo da Vinci. He covers some recent examples of Biomimicry, including drag reducing surfaces based on shark skin, natural ventilation modeled on termite mounds, and proposes analogies between marketing methods and how seeds are distributed. David describes in detail his work with Interface to develop a new approach to the design and production of carpet tiles, dramatically reducing waste while increasing product life cycle (see Interface and Sustainability for additional information). The article closes on an optimistic note: by learning from the rich diversity and complexity of life, we can help create environments that enrich our well-being, while at the same being remaining true to the principles of sustainability.

January 2003: "Bio-Inspired Design: What Can We Learn from Nature?"

Author: Judith H Heerwagen, Ph.D (J.H. Heerwagen & Associates, Inc.)

Download BioInspire.1-01.15.03.pdf

This article focuses on the "forms and sensory attributes of nature that hold special psychological significance." Understanding the stimuli that attract human beings to certain environments and cause them to avoid others can lead to designs that more effectively trigger an appropriate emotional response. The article explores the implications of the "savannah hypothesis" as well as the prospect-refuge theory. The relationship of natural elements to health is discussed, as well as the impact of lighting. Lastly, the article proposes additional areas for study in "general characteristics of living organisms and life-like processes that could form the basis for bio-inspired design."