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Biomimetics in Architecture

Architecture of Life and Buildings

  • Book
  • © 2011

Overview

Authors:
  1. Petra Gruber

    1. Institute for History of Architecture and Arts, Building Research and Preservation, Vienna Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

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  • Overview of the present state of research in the field of biomimetics in architecture
  • Shows the innovative potential of this relatively young scientific field
  • Case studies on vernacular architecture to space exploration

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages 1-5
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  2. Introduction

    • Petra Gruber
    Pages 7-8

  3. Background

    • Petra Gruber
    Pages 9-49

  4. Classical Approaches to Investigate Overlaps Between Biology and Architecture

    • Petra Gruber
    Pages 50-109

  5. New approaches and Application of Biology’s Life Criteria on Architecture

    • Petra Gruber
    Pages 110-195

  6. Case studies

    • Petra Gruber
    Pages 196-261

  7. Discussion

    • Petra Gruber
    Pages 262-263

  8. Back Matter

    Pages 264-275
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Keywords

About this book

The purpose of investigating the overlaps between architecture and biology is neither to draw borders or make further distinctions nor to declare architecture alive, but to clarify what is currently happening in the blurred fields, and to investigate the emerging discipline of „biomimetics in architecture" [Architekturbionik]. An overview of the present state of research in the relatively young scientific field of biomimetics shows the potential of the approach. The new discipline aims at innovation by making use of the subtle systems and solutions in nature having evolved within millions of years. Approaches that have been taken to transfer nature's principles to architecture have provided successful developments. The new approach presented in this book transfers the abstract concept of life onto built environment. Strategic search for life's criteria in architecture delivers a new view of architectural achievements and makes the innovative potential visible, which has not been exploited yet.

A selection of case studies illustrates the diversity of starting points: from vernacular architecture to space exploration.

Reviews

„This profound and systematic approach makes the book stand out from many other, often semi-scientific publications on the same topic.” Detail, November 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Institute for History of Architecture and Arts, Building Research and Preservation, Vienna Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

    Petra Gruber

About the author

Petra Gruber is an architect with a strong interest in biology and interdisciplinary studies. She has worked in renowned architecture companies until the founding of her on venture transarch in 2008. Her work as university assistant at the Vienna University of Technology has led to extensive research in the field of biomimetics, summarised in the doctoral thesis that was the basis of this book. She is integrated in international scientific networks and currently involved in research projects, teaching, consultancy and publications in biomimetics.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Biomimetics in Architecture

  • Book Subtitle: Architecture of Life and Buildings

  • Authors: Petra Gruber

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0332-6

  • Publisher: Springer Vienna

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Vienna 2011

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: 280

  • Topics: Basics of Construction, Design, general

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