biomimicry

Biomimicry is a design strategy that emulates the innovation potential of 3,8 billion years of evolution.

Coined by Janine Benyus it is ‘design inspired by nature’. Taken literally this means ‘copying’ nature strategies such as the antimicrobial skin of sharks for operating tables and the sticky surface of the burdock (Klit) for Velcro. This is called biomimicry for innovation.

We’d rather build on Illieva’s concept of biomimicry when applied for biosynergy: not simply duplicating nature structures but embodying natural principles such as regeneration, decentralization, live-affirming technology, local sourcing of recources and multi-species collaboration. Here we create human habitats that provide housing for birds and bats like the five big cities of Brabant or we use the growing potential of trees to grow furniture, echoing the ancient practice of Khasi people growing bridges from roots of a ficus tree in India.