"The people who design our world usually never take a biology class"

November 9, 2017 10:09 AM

Vox teams up with 99% Invisible to help explain biomimicry.
posted by hanov3r (5 comments total)

I'm only half way through the video because my internet connection is acting up and so it is taking an age to load, but its really interesting. Thanks for posting.
posted by Fence at 11:31 AM on November 9, 2017

This is so fascinating. I'm gonna have to put that book on hold at the library. I'm hungry for more examples.
posted by holmesian at 1:57 PM on November 9, 2017

Like octopus skin

Like diatoms' light capture

Like black butterflies' wings

Like augur awns

Like clams photosynthesising

Polymerizing
posted by clew at 2:44 PM on November 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Methanotrophic material making
posted by clew at 2:45 PM on November 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

I teach in an architecture school from time to time, and first year architecture students are introduced to biophilic design from their first lecture. It's concepts and materiality are examined as a central part of the coursework and field trips. For example, cement making using coral as a template. There is a lot of precise aspects to the study of biophilic design and a great book on this topic (and our coursework text) is Stephen Kellert et al Biophilic Design
posted by honey-barbara at 5:06 AM on November 11, 2017