This full-color volume proposes an innovative methodology that uses the functional aspects of nature to inspire improvements in building design and form, encouraging designers to apply biomimetic principles to architectural processes. The book focuses on the analysis of various animal skins, translating the principles of communication, thermoregulation, water balance, and protection into the built environment. Illustrating how biomimetic principles can create a more sustainable way of building, this is the first time the author's new methodology-as well as the 12 case studies-has been published.

This full-color volume proposes an innovative methodology that uses the functional aspects of nature to inspire improvements in building design and form, encouraging designers to apply biomimetic principles to architectural processes. The book focuses on the analysis of various animal skins, translating the principles of communication, thermoregulation, water balance, and protection into the built environment. Illustrating how biomimetic principles can create a more sustainable way of building, this is the first time the author's new methodology-as well as the 12 case studies-has been published.

This book provides the readers with a timely guide to the application of biomimetic principles in architecture and engineering design. As a result of a combined effort by two internationally recognized authorities, the biologist Werner Nachtigall and the architect Göran Pohl, the book describes the principles which can be used to compare nature and technology, and at the same time it presents detailed explanations and examples showing how biology can be used as a source of inspiration and “translated” in building and architectural solutions (biomimicry). Even though nature cannot be directly copied, the living world can provide architects and engineers with a wealth of analogues and inspirations for their own creative designs. But how can analysis of natural entities give rise to advanced and sustainable design? By reporting on the latest bionic design methods and using extensive artwork, the book guides readers through the field of nature-inspired architecture, offering an extraordinary resource for professional architects, engineers, designers and urban planners, as well as for university teachers, researchers and students. Natural evolution is seen throughout the book as a powerful resource that can serve architecture and design by providing innovative, optimal and sustainable solutions.

This book collects contributions of forefront research and practices related to the use of the enabling technologies of Industry 4.0 in the architecture and design fields and their impact on the UN's Sustainable Developments goals. The book is structured into three sections (research, practice, and technologies), with the goal of creating a new framework useful for widespread awareness necessary to initiate technology transfer processes for the benefit of the public sector, universities, research centers, and innovative companies, and a new professional figure capable of controlling the entire process is essential. Thus, the book chapters arouse a series of relevant topics such as computational and parametric design, performance-based architecture, data-driven design strategies, parametric environmental design and analysis, computational and parametric structural design and analysis, AI and machine learning, BIM and interoperability, VR and AR, digital and robotic fabrication, additive manufacturing and 3D printing, R&D and entrepreneurship, circular architecture, and didactics. In the post-digital era, where the essence of design lies in the control and information of the process that holistically involves all the aspects mentioned above, rather than in formal research, it is necessary to understand technologies and analyze the advantages that they can bring in terms of environmental sustainability and product innovation.

The 5th International Conference on Civil Engineering and Urban Planning (CEUP2016) was held in Xi'an, China on August 23 - 26, 2016. CEUP2016 gathered outstanding scientists and researchers worldwide to exchange and discuss new findings in civil engineering and urban planning associated with transportation and environmental topics. The conference program committee is also greatly honored to have four renowned experts for taking time off to present their keynotes to the conference.The conference had received a total of 410 submissions, which after peer review by the Technical Program Committee, only 108 were selected to be included in this conference proceedings, which covers Architecture and Urban Planning; Civil Engineering and Transportation Engineering.

The surprising ways nature has influenced architecture. It may come as a surprise to learn that architects have found solutions to all kinds of design challenges in nature! Some have looked to nature to solve a structural problem, like creating an earthquake-proof bridge by mimicking the extremely long roots of a special type of grass. Others have turned to nature for artistic inspiration, designing buildings and bridges that evoke the movement of swimming fish or a bird in flight. When it comes to style and structure, nature and architecture make perfect partners! From cactuses to birdsê wings, termite towers to honeycombs, inspiration for ingenious design is everywhere around us!

Biomimicry for Materials, Design and Habitats: Innovations and Applications and is a survey of the recent work of recognized experts in a variety of fields who employ biomimicry and related paradigms to solve key problems of interest within design, science, technology, and society. Topics covered include innovations from biomimicry in materials, product design, architecture, and biological sciences. The book is a useful resource for educators, designers, researchers, engineers, and materials scientists, taking them from the theory behind biomimicry to real world applications. Living systems have evolved innovative solutions to challenges that humans face on a daily basis. Nonlinear multifunctional systems that have a symbiotic relationship with their environment are the domain of nature. Morphological solutions for buildings inspired by nature can be used for skins, surfaces, and structures to facilitate environmental adaptation of buildings to increase occupant comfort and reduce energy demands. Birds can teach us to produce novel structures, 3D printing can be informed by oysters and mussels, and mycelium may show us the way to fabricate new biocomposites in architecture. Therefore, it is in nature that we seek inspiration for the solutions to tomorrow's challenges. - Presents new directions in education and the various applications of biomimicry within industry, including bio-inspired entrepreneurship - Discusses the role of biomimicry in education, innovation, and product design - Covers applications in systems engineering and design, novel materials with applications in 3D printing, and bio-inspired architecture - Includes perspectives on sustainability detailing the role that bio-inspiration or biomimicry plays in sustainability

This book describes the detailed process behind the development of a comprehensive thermo-bio-architectural framework (the ThBA). This framework systematically connects the thermal performance requirements of a building to relevant solutions found in the natural world. This is the first time that architecture has been connected to biology in this manner. The book provides an in-depth understanding of thermoregulatory strategies in animals and plants and links these to equivalent solutions in architectural design. The inclusion of this fundamental knowledge, along with the systematic process of accessing it, should open up new avenues for the generation of energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

This contributed volume book aims at discussing transdisciplinary approaches to address common problems. By working transdisciplinarily, researchers coming from different disciplines can work jointly using a shared conceptual framework bringing together disciplinary-specific theories and concepts. There are numerous barriers that can obstruct effective communication between different cultures, communities, religions and geographies. This book shows that through bringing together different disciplines, researchers not only can surpass these barriers but can effectively produce new venues of thought that can positively affect the development and evolution of research and education. The book discusses new and emerging applications of knowledge produced by transdisciplinary efforts and covers the interplay of many disciplines, including agriculture, economics, mathematics, engineering, industry, information technology, marketing, nanoscience, neuroscience, space exploration, human-animal relationships, among others. Consequently, it also covers the relationship between art and science, as one of the most remarkable transdisciplinary approaches that paves the way for new methods in engineering, design, architecture and many other fields.