1. Nature inspiring Technology.
LESSON 4/5
Nature inspiring Technology.
Within this lesson you will cover:
Develop an understanding of how biomimicry has inspired architecture through shape & form.
Develop analysis techniques to discuss a range of provided images.
Produce design ideas for a new building taking inspiration from your surroundings.

2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Biomimicry & architecture design
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design 1 2 3 4 5 6
Answers:
The London Eye
Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao)
St Mary Axe ‘The Gherkin’
Big Ben
The Eden Project
Sydney Opera House
Do Now Activity – Name the famous building.
Stretch & Challenge – Guess the biomimicry inspiration.

3. Can you sketch the Gherkin from memory?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
MEMORY
The Gherkin
TEST
Can you sketch the Gherkin from memory?

4. What do you think inspired the design of the Gherkin ?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
What do you think inspired the design of the Gherkin ?
Lets discuss.
Hands up!
DON’T shout out!

5. Inspired by construction
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Inspired by construction
© V&A Images
The Gherkin’s shape, structure and ventilation scheme were all inspired by a kind of sea creature known as a glass sponge. They have delicate, elongated exoskeletons. They filter nutrients from water they suck in at their base and expel from a hole at the top. In this way this tower circulates air.
© Pawel Libera / RIBA Library Photographs Collection
© V&A Images

6. Inspired by construction – Design Task
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Inspired by construction – Design Task
© V&A Images
Design Task: Take a piece of plasticine and produce a model of the Gherkin building. You have 5 minutes to do this.
Next pass your model to your partner. Using the SCAMPER model they are to develop the design by making small changes which will create another building idea.
© Pawel Libera / RIBA Library Photographs Collection
© V&A Images

7. Can you sketch the Sydney Opera House from memory?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
MEMORY
Sydney Opera House
TEST
Can you sketch the Sydney Opera House from memory?

8. What do you think inspired the design of the Sydney Opera House?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
What do you think inspired the design of the Sydney Opera House?
Lets discuss.
Hands up!
DON’T shout out!

9. Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Inspired by shape
The architect of the Sydney Opera house was called Jørn Utzon. His design was inspired by the sails of the yachts on the harbor, ribbed palm leaves as they fan out, cloud forms and mandarin segments.

10. Inspired by shape to develop an idea
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Inspired by shape to develop an idea
The BIG Question: what do you think inspired Jørn Utzon?
Jørn Utzon had a innovative idea for the buildings shape but couldn’t work out how he would build and achieve his idea.
The solution was by cutting an orange into spherical triangles form the skin he discovered the form and developed it into the iconic design we know today.
© RIBA Library Drawings Collection

11. Inspired by shape to develop an idea
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Inspired by shape to develop an idea
Design Activity: Using an apple cut it up carefully using a knife. Cut the apple into any shapes/amount. Using the apple segments combine these shapes using cocktail sticks to model a design for a new building.
Once assembled sketch the building design that you have produced.
© RIBA Library Drawings Collection

12. Inspired by shape to develop an idea
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Inspired by shape to develop an idea
Design Activity: swap your apple segment design with your neighbour for them to peer assess.
Make one positive comment and one improvement suggestion. Feed back to your neighbour.

13. Peer assessment Review.
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge and understanding of how biomimicry has inspired shape & form of famous architectural buildings.
Biomimicry & architecture design
Peer assessment Review.
Review Activity: Using your neighbours work review their apple segment design and see if you can make any further improvements/changes to the design.
Re-sketch the changed/improved idea and annotate what changes you have made and their impact to the building design.