The use of nature has become increasingly important in the design of interiors given the current pandemic. This integration of nature has been confirmed to restore people within their environments, afford a more environmentally friendly atmosphere, and appeal to economic qualities. Allied research topics include environment-behavior studies that examine relationships between human behavior and the natural and built environment, environmental experiences (e.g. restrictiveness), environmental outcomes (e.g. pro-environmental behaviors such as recycling; health-supportive environments; design preferences), and processes linking environments and behaviors that support or thwart human well-being. This presentation features the benefits of biomimicry used within the scope of interior design theory and practice. Biomimicry, a term appearing from bios (meaning life) and mimesis (meaning to imitate), became popular by scientist and author Janine Benyus in her 1997 book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. Benyus defined biomimicry as a new science that studies nature’s models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. Biomimicry suggests looking to nature as a model, measure, and mentor to emphasize sustainability. The essence of biomimicry is clear, to solve problems sustainability by using nature’s principles. Biomimicry peaks interior designers’ interests, however, there are many misconceptions about biomimicry in the field of interior design. For some, the integration of biomimicry on a design project serves merely as a solution for an interior material and/or product selection. However, just as interior designers are part of a larger system, biomimetic techniques are also related to the larger network: architecture, engineering, landscape, and the design process. Designs inspired by nature have a wide range of applications for interior environments. Literature recounts bioinspired solutions ranging from aesthetical biomimicry to technical biomimicry. Design patterns using biomimicry have the potential to reposition the environmental quality conversation to give the people’s needs equal consideration alongside conventional parameters for building performance and occupants’ satisfaction. This presentation features tools to unlock the power of nature to help solve problems for interior designers, both rising and established, in the academic and practice realm. An overview of biomimetic solutions are provided, ranging from new materials to innovative building design techniques. A case study reveals how biomimicry has been used in design firms and then inserted into an interior design curriculum to improve students understanding of sustainability and thus impacts students as they enter their career. Findings reveal being in nature helps develop a kinship; once that bond is established it becomes ever-increasingly revered. Lessons learned from nature can improve occupants’ satisfaction and lessons can save energy consumption in built environment. By infusing biomimicry as a threecord braid of lecture, lab and studio in the academic classroom, students preserve the power of nature and carry lasting lessons with them into their future as they design interior environments. A hands-on exercise will help participants in this workshop develop their own toolkit to further understand biomimicry, and thus infuse their realm of interior design to effectively solve problems with a more economic, environmental, social (sustainable) solution. Lessons learned from nature have the ability to impact a lifetime. As the world becomes ever focused on nature, biomimicry serves as a key tool for interior designers to design with nature, affording more melded and sustainable solutions.
