Please add to our community thinking by posting a few inspirational analogies of your own between the systems that you typically find in biological organisms and similar systems that we often (or should) find in buildings.
Think creatively about all the systems and features that allow creatures to survive, thrive, and adapt to their environments!
The first analogy that come to my mind is the one between the DNA and the building blueprints. In fact, the DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce (or, to refer to the instructions, to survive, thrive and adapt to their environments). Similarly, building blueprints contain all the details and specifications required to construct and maintain a building.
Another unusual analogy that I have read from [1] is the one between self-healing concrete and human body self-healing mechanisms. Self-healing concrete mimics the body's natural healing process by using materials like fibers or capsules filled with adhesive liquids in the concrete mix. When cracks occur, these elements break, releasing the healing liquid to mend the crack.
Other more common analogies that I can think of are:
- Skin of an organism and envelope of a building: the skin of an organism serves as a barrier to protect it from external elements and maintaining an internal balance (like with the body temperature). Similarly, the building envelope (any component that separates the exterior of the building from the interior) acts as a barrier, protecting the building from weather, and helping to control the indoor climate/temperature.
- The circulatory system and the plumbing system of a building: both systems transport vital fluids, like blood or water, throughout the structure, and deliver “nutrients” and waste products to different parts. They both utilize mechanisms, like the heart or valves, to uphold consistent pressure and aid the flow of these fluids.
- The nervous system of an organism and the electrical system of a building: both systems transmit signals, such as nerve impulses or electric currents, through pathways like neurons or cables to regulate different functions and responses. Additionally, they each contain central hubs, such as the brain or circuit breaker, that control the distribution and processing of information.
[1] Jianxia, S. (2012). Durability Design of Concrete Hydropower Structures. In A. Sarja & E. Vesikari (Eds.), Durability Design of Concrete Structures: Report of RILEM Technical Committee 130-CSL (pp. 239-254). CRC Press