• Energy Research

Biomimicry is a relatively new discipline of applied science that seeks inspiration from natural systems for innovative solutions to human problems. Taking nature as ‘model, mentor and measure’ receives wide acceptance in the field of architecture but predominantly in conceptualising novel forms. The biomimicry concept is comprehensively analysed for its ability to provide more sustainable and possibly even regenerative built environments. As part of this study, first, various frameworks for approaching ‘biomimicry’ in general are discussed and then relevant examples pertaining to architecture are evaluated. Case studies are critiqued with respect to varied levels of sustainability achieved and its causative factors. In the second part, an approach model for ‘biomimetic architecture’ in the context of Mumbai is presented and applicable strategies based on climatic adaptation are suggested using local biodiversity as a library of organisms. The generic example of ‘human skin’ addressing the same ad...

Abstract Environmental design (eco-design) has been identified in both academic and policy circles as a point of intervention in the product lifecycle to promote environmental performance. The benefit of eco-design would be enhanced by rooting it firmly within theoretical design principles and establishing ‘sustainability’ as a functional requirement within a regulatory framework. Formulating such an innovative approach requires first understanding current practices of eco-design in industry. This paper, therefore, addresses three questions: 1) To what extent is the design process structured in practice as suggested by design theory? 2) What, if any, environmental issues do designers consider to be relevant to their products? and 3) To what extent are environmental issues incorporated into product design? Targeting primarily large UK based companies, the authors conducted open ended interviews in conjunction with a postal survey of a sample of manufacturing companies incorporating a wide range of industrial sectors. Critically, many designers are not following good design practice, which limits the possibilities for radical environmental innovation. The environmental design behaviour of companies reflects a complex balance of designers' understanding of environmental issues and the extent of the design space, influenced by legal requirements, economic and supply chain constraints. A more effective regulatory strategy informed by good design practice is required to assist companies in achieving an effective implementation of eco-design.

AbstractMunicipal waste management is, by definition, spatially organized. In the United Kingdom the national government designates waste collection and disposal responsibilities to the various scales of local government. However, whilst the highest aim of waste management is prevention, achieving this is beyond the scope of local authorities, which deal with the waste stream presented to them as an independent variable. Alternatively, product design offers a potential point of policy intervention, by which the waste stream becomes a dependent variable. This paper innovatively argues that, for eco‐design to be effective, sustainable waste management must be established as a functional requirement in the design process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

The performance gap between simulation and reality has been identified as a major challenge to achieving sustainability in the Built Environment. While Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) surveys are an integral part of better understanding building performance, and thus addressing this issue, the importance of POE remains relatively unacknowledged within the wider Built Environment community. A possible reason that has been highlighted is that POE survey data is not easily understood and utilizable by non-expert stakeholders, including designers. A potential method by which to address this is the visualization method, which has well established benefits for communication of big datasets. This paper presents two case studies where EnViz (short for “Environmental Visualization”), a prototype software application developed for research purposes, was utilized and its effectiveness tested via a range of analysis tasks. The results are discussed and compared with those of previous work that utilized variations of the methods presented here. The paper concludes by presenting the lessons drawn from the five-year period of EnViz, emphasizing the potential of environmental visualization for decision support in environmental design and engineering for the built environment, and suggests directions for future development.