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Termites are Inspiring the Future of Green Architecture

Modern design draws heavily from nature. Biomimicry involves taking the form of natural objects or creatures and translating it into engineering. Through biomimicry, people create simple and sustainable structures- with logic backed up by nature itself.

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Termites are Inspiring the Future of Green Architecture

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  1. Termites are Inspiring the Future of Green Architecture Custom Green Suite 5, 178 Great Eastern Highway Ascot 6104 , Western Australia, Australia (089) 479-6828

  2. Modern design draws heavily from nature. Biomimicry involves taking the form of natural objects or creatures and translating it into engineering. Through biomimicry, people create simple and sustainable structures- with logic backed up by nature itself. The Hills One notable instance of large-scale biomimicry is the Council House 2 (CH2) office building in Melbourne. African architect design the building, after a similar successful enterprise with the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. Both buildings consume significantly less energy compared to traditional ones. They make use of convective airflow in order to reduce the need for air conditioning. This ‘stack effect’ mimics the structure of termite hills, which have openings located from theA top to bottom. Termite hills maintain a temperature of 30°C despite an outdoor fluctuation of 40 to -0 degrees. Termites constantly tweak the openings in order to maintain performance. Termites apply wet mud to the external structure, strengthening, expanding, and cooling the structure as the moisture dries.

  3. The Works The CH2 building works in a similar fashion by employing adaptive air pathways. Shutters line an entire side of the building, acting as the interpretation for the termite hill openings. These panels automatically open at night, allowing outside air to renew the interior atmosphere. By day, people can fully close the shutters depending on the amount of heat and light needed. The design also improves upon the cooling capacity of termite hills. The prominent waveform ceilings are equipped with exhausts and chilling panels that constantly cool the inside air. A system of water pipes run along the ceiling, expelling heat from each floor. In addition to the building’s air and cooling efficiency, the roof also features several power generation components. Photovoltaic cells, solar hot water panels, wind turbines and a gas- fired co-generation plant assist in reducing the required electricity input of the CH2. The Council House 2 is a pioneering achievement in biomimetic architecture. It cuts emissions and gas consumption by 87%, and requires only 15 and 28 percent of the respective electricity and water consumed by traditional buildings. With this amount of efficiency, the CH2 is expected to earn back its innovation budget in less than a decade. Biomimicry is getting in humanity to adhere to the natural form of the planet, and it brings solutions from places people never expect. In the future, the very insects that are notorious for destroying homes may end up inspiring them.

  4. RESOURCES: http://www.customgreen.com.au/sustainable-home-builder-perth/ http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/09/02/how-termites-inspired-mick- pearces-green-buildings

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