Are biomimetic materials the answer for a more sustainable construction sector?

Innovation around biomimetic materials in the built environment has been inspired by the resilience of nature and natural products. For architects, engineers, designers and property developers, mimicking nature is increasingly seen as a transformative route to a greener way to build.

What are biomimetic materials?

Biomimetic materials are synthetic materials that mimic and replicate the properties of natural materials or objects, with resilience and sustainability being key objectives. Inspired by natural processes and structures, biomimetic materials are used to enhance a building’s performance and longevity.

The potential impact of biomimetic materials on construction processes is backed by research. In a paper published in ScienceDirect, researchers from the University of New South Wales state that, ‘bio-inspired materials and structures can play a crucial role in making our buildings greener, more energy-efficient, more sustainable, and more resilient’.

A widely adopted example of biomimetic design applications is concrete composite material. Other innovations are bacteria-enhanced concretes and soils, biomimetic building envelope materials, and the bio-inspired design of larger structures.

How biomimetic materials are being applied and researched in the UK

Biomimetic materials have been successfully used for high profile building designs in the UK.

The design of The Gherkin in London was inspired by the anatomy of the Venus Flower Basket sea sponge that allows the building to absorb and regulate temperature, rather than opting for energy-sapping air conditioning and heating systems.

The Eden Project’s spherical greenhouse structural system of hexagons and  pentagons was inspired by the study of pollen grains, Radiolaria and carbon molecules.

Scientific materials research is ongoing in the UK. Papers such as Biomimetic Innovation in the UK Construction Industry: An Assessment of Adoption Readiness are addressing the adoption of biomimetic materials in combating climate change alongside the need for systemic change in the sector’s traditional workflows.

What does the future hold for biomimetic materials?

Advancements in biomimetic materials have the potential to revolutionise construction practices and materials.

In an article published by MAPFRE Global Risks, Marlén López, Director of the Biomimetics Laboratory, envisages a future that is ‘more organic, sustainable, and naturally intelligent, using systems and materials with the ability to adapt, interact, self-repair, and recycle’. The challenge lies in the selection of natural models and carrying out their technological transfer.