Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology

We have entered a geological epoch where environmental change is driven primarily by human activity. The technology-centric approach to sustainable development as the dominant model of innovation in industrialized countries has led to expansive ecological degradation. This paper critiques this para...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth McCormick, David Thaddeus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Architectural Research Centers Consortium 2024-12-01
Series:Enquiry: The ARCC Journal of Architectural Research
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Online Access:https://arcc-repository.arcc-journal.org/index.php/arccjournal/article/view/1241
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author Elizabeth McCormick
David Thaddeus
author_facet Elizabeth McCormick
David Thaddeus
author_sort Elizabeth McCormick
collection DOAJ
description We have entered a geological epoch where environmental change is driven primarily by human activity. The technology-centric approach to sustainable development as the dominant model of innovation in industrialized countries has led to expansive ecological degradation. This paper critiques this paradigm and builds on existing literature from environmental philosophy to propose a new model of ethical, bio-inspired architectural thinking. Though Biomimicry is often celebrated as a model for nature-inspired innovation, it can inadvertently reinforce notions of mastery over nature, a harmful phenomenon that environmental philosopher Freya Mathews calls ‘anthropocentric triumphalism.’ In response to those challenges, this paper explores the philosophical underpinnings of bio-inspired design to advocate for a transformative pedagogical model within architectural education and practice. By exploring the conflicts implicit in biomimetic processes, we aim to disentangle students’ thinking from techno-centric models and prepare them for the broader societal implications of a necessary energy shift. This exploration emphasizes the importance of cultivating a holistic understanding of ecological systems, urging designers to appreciate the intricate relationships within ecosystems rather than viewing them solely as sources of technological inspiration. By addressing the conflicts inherent in biomimetic processes, this paper calls for a more comprehensive and ethical approach to biomimicry – one that emphasizes both the source of knowledge as well as its application. Ultimately, we seek to foster a responsible relationship between architecture and the natural world, paving the way for a sustainable future that goes beyond mere imitation to encompass true coexistence.
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spelling doaj-art-cce91e9b9c1445a895ff402a2c58659a2025-01-22T04:47:39ZengArchitectural Research Centers ConsortiumEnquiry: The ARCC Journal of Architectural Research2329-93392024-12-01212Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic EpistemologyElizabeth McCormick0David Thaddeus1University of North Carolina CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina Charlotte We have entered a geological epoch where environmental change is driven primarily by human activity. The technology-centric approach to sustainable development as the dominant model of innovation in industrialized countries has led to expansive ecological degradation. This paper critiques this paradigm and builds on existing literature from environmental philosophy to propose a new model of ethical, bio-inspired architectural thinking. Though Biomimicry is often celebrated as a model for nature-inspired innovation, it can inadvertently reinforce notions of mastery over nature, a harmful phenomenon that environmental philosopher Freya Mathews calls ‘anthropocentric triumphalism.’ In response to those challenges, this paper explores the philosophical underpinnings of bio-inspired design to advocate for a transformative pedagogical model within architectural education and practice. By exploring the conflicts implicit in biomimetic processes, we aim to disentangle students’ thinking from techno-centric models and prepare them for the broader societal implications of a necessary energy shift. This exploration emphasizes the importance of cultivating a holistic understanding of ecological systems, urging designers to appreciate the intricate relationships within ecosystems rather than viewing them solely as sources of technological inspiration. By addressing the conflicts inherent in biomimetic processes, this paper calls for a more comprehensive and ethical approach to biomimicry – one that emphasizes both the source of knowledge as well as its application. Ultimately, we seek to foster a responsible relationship between architecture and the natural world, paving the way for a sustainable future that goes beyond mere imitation to encompass true coexistence. https://arcc-repository.arcc-journal.org/index.php/arccjournal/article/view/1241Bio-inspired designPedagogyanthropocentrismsustainable designArchitectural education
spellingShingle Elizabeth McCormick
David Thaddeus
Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology
Enquiry: The ARCC Journal of Architectural Research
Bio-inspired design
Pedagogy
anthropocentrism
sustainable design
Architectural education
title Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology
title_full Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology
title_fullStr Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology
title_full_unstemmed Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology
title_short Navigating a Climate in Crisis through a Biomimetic Epistemology
title_sort navigating a climate in crisis through a biomimetic epistemology
topic Bio-inspired design
Pedagogy
anthropocentrism
sustainable design
Architectural education
url https://arcc-repository.arcc-journal.org/index.php/arccjournal/article/view/1241
work_keys_str_mv AT elizabethmccormick navigatingaclimateincrisisthroughabiomimeticepistemology
AT davidthaddeus navigatingaclimateincrisisthroughabiomimeticepistemology