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!
Ribs and Arch
The first thing that came to mind was the arch structure. The most vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, are protected by the rib cage, which forms an arch structure. Additionally, the foot arch enables us to support our weight and move more efficiently. This architectural form is also commonly found in buildings, such as bridges, doors, and vaults. Our rib cage provides a secure and spacious enclosure for our organs. The use of arch structures in buildings also allows them to support extremely heavy loads.
Hydraulic Pressure
When I was a child, I lived with my grandparents on the top floor of a very old building for a few months. Sometimes the tap water system on our floor would not work, and my grandma blamed it on the low water pressure. She was right. Water is dense, and it requires potential energy to be lifted to higher elevations. The most common solutions for water supply in tall buildings are rooftop reservoir systems and booster pump systems. The fluid pressure problem is also relevant to organisms. For example, humans require blood to flow throughout the body to sustain life. Our heart acts as a "pump," circulating blood to "higher" places such as our brain. When blood pressure is too low, individuals may feel dizzy due to inadequate blood supply to the brain.
Ventilation and Respiratory Systems
Ventilation is crucial in buildings because "sick building syndrome" is closely linked to poor indoor air quality. A well-designed building should facilitate the entry and exit of fresh air at an appropriate rate. This feature is similar to the respiratory systems of organisms, which enable the entry of air rich in oxygen and the release of air containing CO2.