EcoBalance and Biomimicry: Inspired by Nature

Question 1 of 15

1. Question

What is Biomimicry?

A sustainable design innovation tool where we look to nature for inspiration.
The conscious emulation of life’s genius.
An ancient way of thinking and solving design problems.
All of the above

Question 2 of 15

2. Question

Which of the following is an example of bioutilization?

Mimicry of a coral’s calcium carbonate production process to produce “green” concrete.
Harvesting dead coral to use as “natural” concrete.
Genetically engineering bacteria to secrete limestone to produce self-healing concrete.
All of the above

Question 3 of 15

3. Question

Which of the biomimetic case studies listed below represent(s) the emulation of FORM? Choose 3

The Crystal Palace
Calera green concrete
Pterofin wing-inspired wind generators
Interface carpet tiles

Question 4 of 15

4. Question

Which of the following statements are correct?

The SMIT Solar Ivy energy device was created by a New York-based brother and sister
team.
The “Gherkin” Building was inspired by the 3D spiral shape that is commonly found in
nature.
StoCorp’s Lotusan paint is self-healing.
Project Haiti and The Eden Project are both biomimetic architecture projects designed
by HOK Architects.

Question 5 of 15

5. Question

Which of the following case studies is/are considered Living Buildings by the Living Building Challenge
community? Choose 2

Eastgate Centre
Hartberg EcoPark
Bullitt Center
Omega Center for Sustainable Living

Question 6 of 15

6. Question

Which of the following are reasons to practice biomimicry?

Many our current practices lead to unsustainable designs.
Biomimicry can result in radically innovative design solutions.
Nature’s design solutions are efficient, effective, and elegant.
Biomimicry allows you to integrate your love of nature with your professional work.
All of the above.

Question 7 of 15

7. Question

What are two ways you can integrate biomimicry into your work?

Make sure your final design looks like something from nature.
Follow nature’s principles for design.
Emulate nature’s strategies in your design.
Be sure to spec natural materials in your design.

Question 8 of 15

8. Question

Which three of the following are part of Nature’s Design Principles?

Optimizing
Resistance
Systems-based
Adaptive

Question 9 of 15

9. Question

What are two good ways to begin integrating biomimicry into your design practice?

Go back for a graduate degree in biology or bioengineering.
Seek out projects that will be located in natural places
Go for a walk and think about how nature addresses the design challenges you are
working on.
Create more economic buildings.

Question 10 of 15

10. Question

What is the bigger objective of practicing biomimicry?

Get more LEED points.
Create more economic buildings.
Design to support life on earth.
Create more beautiful buildings.

Question 11 of 15

11. Question

A manner of design that “balances” life support systems (air, water, food, energy, materials) across life
cycle phases is ____________

Balanced Design
EcoBalance
Healthy Balance
Life Cycle Balance

Question 12 of 15

12. Question

_________is a person who employs biomimicry tools to learn from nature.

Physicist
Biomimic
EcoBalance Specialist
Emulator

Question 13 of 15

13. Question

Biomorphic designs look like something from nature without truly mimicking natural form/shape,
process or system.

True
False

Question 14 of 15

14. Question

Nature can be resilient because it

Allows for emergence rather than fixed plans
Embeds redundancy
Leverages diversity and dynamic tension
Considers decentralization
All of the Above

Question 15 of 15

15. Question

Nature’s strategies that are life-supporting include

Seeking synergies
Building for the long-term while adding value now
Making sure all activities are in harmony with life and living
Creating Interconnections within systems
A, B, C Only
All of the Above