Ventilation
While modern buildings may incorporate HVAC systems to ensure proper climate control within a building's thermal zones, many systems in nature do this passively. Termites are one of the best at this. Their intricate tunnel systems are capable of passively cooling the insides of their nests and providing fresh air throughout the colony. This was emulated in a building constructed in Harare Zimbabwe. Titled Eastgate, the structure utilizes convection to cool the building. Modeled after the structures found in African Termite mounds, Eastgate is built with numerous central “chimneys” which channel warm air through the center and out of the building.
https://www.mickpearce.com/Eastgate.html
Envelope Systems and Foliage
One of the many uses of an Envelope system is to direct or redirect environmental elements. In the case of rain many systems in nature utilize foliage to create a system of control over these elements. Plants will redirect water, from rain or condensation into specific places. This control allows plants such as pitcher plants to create traps for hungry insects, or how cacti will create reservoirs within themselves. Like these plants, we create a system of control over various elements using our envelope systems. Whether we are designing for water retention, adequate drainage or somewhere in between, we can learn alot from observing how various plants deal with their water resources.
