A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Homeostasis in nature: Nest building termites and intelligent buildings
Homeostasis is a process that counteracts out-of-balance fluxes of energy and matter so that a variety or conditions can be maintained. In buildings, we use mechanical assistance to counteract out-of-balance fluxes to achieve comfortable living conditions. Many species in nature have evolved behaviours that are homeostatic, and we might learn alternative strategies by studying them. The mound building termites, Macrotermes, construct sophisticated structures that enable the metabolic demand of the nest to be met by intercepting the prevailing wind. Ventilation of the mound and nest is ‘tidal’ and the internal structure is vascularized, so by mimicking tidal and vascularized systems in our own natural ventilation designs we could improve performance and effectiveness. The principle of homeostasis could be used as a concept to develop building elements that adapt to changes in environmental conditions and indoor demands. Distributed communication and control based on ‘stigmergy’ may enable engineers to design systems that required less energy and computing power. Additive construction methods give us freedom to design more flexible and natural looking building forms within the constraints of homeostasis and to integrate sophisticated internal configurations, with integrated adaptive and responsive capabilities.
Homeostasis in nature: Nest building termites and intelligent buildings
Homeostasis is a process that counteracts out-of-balance fluxes of energy and matter so that a variety or conditions can be maintained. In buildings, we use mechanical assistance to counteract out-of-balance fluxes to achieve comfortable living conditions. Many species in nature have evolved behaviours that are homeostatic, and we might learn alternative strategies by studying them. The mound building termites, Macrotermes, construct sophisticated structures that enable the metabolic demand of the nest to be met by intercepting the prevailing wind. Ventilation of the mound and nest is ‘tidal’ and the internal structure is vascularized, so by mimicking tidal and vascularized systems in our own natural ventilation designs we could improve performance and effectiveness. The principle of homeostasis could be used as a concept to develop building elements that adapt to changes in environmental conditions and indoor demands. Distributed communication and control based on ‘stigmergy’ may enable engineers to design systems that required less energy and computing power. Additive construction methods give us freedom to design more flexible and natural looking building forms within the constraints of homeostasis and to integrate sophisticated internal configurations, with integrated adaptive and responsive capabilities.
Homeostasis in nature: Nest building termites and intelligent buildings
Worall, Mark (author)
Intelligent Buildings International ; 3 ; 87-95
2011-04-01
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
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