Architectural Design Review Based on Animal Architecture and Biogas Productions

Mozhgan Heidari¹ and Mahmud Rezaei²

¹Master of Architecture, Faculty of Arts and Architecture,Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Department of Architecture, Tehran, Iran. ²Assistant Professor and Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Tehran, Iran.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1943

ABSTRACT: This article describes animal architecture as a multi-disciplinary field of bionic science and organic architecture which is recently popularized as one of the architectural design methods. By reviewing design procedures this study aims to organize a new way of design beyond visual analogies per se. The main question proposed in this paper is then ‘what are the unique features of animal architecture methodology?’ In addition, the paper explores design methodologies to answer ‘how animal architecture method might be used beyond formal, visual and non-functional applications? For years several authors have proposed natural, organic and biological analogies in architecture. Even though designers have always been inspired by nature and employed animal analogies until recent periods, the non-formal aspects of this approach are not clearly addressed yet. While this study refers to organic and natural designs the authors focus more on architecture inspired by animals’ life. In this research biogas as a form of renewable energy derived from animals is described briefly. Furthermore, it is suggested how biogas might be applied as a non-formal analogy in design process. This applied research is conducted qualitatively by using descriptive and analytic methods and the data are broadly obtained from original documents. To verify this method some case studies are compared with the principals of animal architecture. Based on the results, it can be concluded that a new classification of animal architecture is required. This paper shows that animal architecture is not a unique, exclusive method in architecture. In fact, it is a subcategory of analogy method in which analogy happens through animal bodies or their nests. Beyond mere formal and visual approaches, this method may act as a functional approach. For example, the use of biogas in an architectural project might act as an inspiration and source for sustainable design. Moreover, different types of architectural constructions related to animal lives are recommended to be covered by this method.

KEYWORDS: Architecture design methodology; Natural and animal Architecture; biological and Organic design; Biogas

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