Biomimetic Design 

Fall 2021

Course Description: “In this course, students learn how to abstract functional strategies from nature to apply to the process of innovative design. This project-oriented studio course covers core biological principles, astounds students with the wealth of design solutions available in nature, and provides numerous case studies of innovative designs inspired by natural models. Overall, this course provides powerful metaphors and methods for looking to nature as a model, mentor, and measure in our designs.”

Final Project Objective:   There was a group and individual project in this class. Both projects guide the viewer through the Biomimicry Design Spiral. For the individual project, the design process ended with a prototype cooler that uses less material to cool food and beverage items.  The group project designed an emergency shelter inspired by nature.



Group Project

According to UNICEF, there are 1,000 requirements that emergency shelters must meet.*  However, there are several that aren’t addressed. We are focusing on the following:
• Lack of organization
• Isolation
• Lack of privacy
• Lack of temperature regulation
• Shelters not easily joined
• Lack of access to energy
• No sturdy floors
Final concept
Set up: 

STEP 1 -  The Mobile Abode comes with castors to help move into place
STEP 2 -  Once in place, the floor panel is lowered and leveled.
STEP 3 -  A crank allows the middle accordion canvas to expand.
STEP 4 -  Once fully open, the walls are locked into place
Additional - The structure can join with others.









Individual Project


The pangolin has an amazing built-in shield. The shield is made from a very resilient material that can withstand disturbance. The shield is layered, like roof shingles, the units of the shield overlap each other. Each unit had a sharp edge. 
The global cooler market is valued at $621.8 million and is expected to grow 6.4% from 2021 to 2025. 
There are two Biomimicry Spirals. One is the Biology to Design and the other is the Challenge to Biology Spiral. These spirals are helpful tools that use nature as a guide for creating design solutions. For this project, I took three trips around the Challenge to Biology Spiral. 
Final concept.
When it is threatened, a pangolin will curl itself into a tight ball, which is impenetrable to predators.






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