This was an interesting exercise. I didn’t know whether to start with thinking about building systems or biological systems first. I decided to start with the building systems, and the first one that immediately came to mind was the structural frame. Of course the obvious analogy here is the skeletal system of animals. This is interesting because in places, like the Bay Area, where structural systems are exposed to seismic loads the system needs to be able to respond well, just like an animal’s skeletal system must be able to respond well to the movement of an animal.
The next system I thought about was the HVAC system, parts of which could be analogous to and animal’s respiratory system. The intake of air, the circulation of that air, the use of that air, and the exhaust of that air are all steps in both systems. Air is arguably the most important resource an animal consumes, so the respiratory system is extremely important. A building’s HVAC system may not be THAT important, but it is certainly an important system.
The last system I thought about was the Building Envelope, perhaps best represented in the skin of an animal. It’s fun thinking about the different types of “skin” a building can have, and how much of a statement can be made by varying the type and color skin. For an animal, the skin is extremely important, and could make the difference between life or death in the wild.
Below are some examples of some of the building and biological systems that I found compelling.
