industry of Nature: New book offers another approach to ecology

Offering a starting point to explore the wonders of nature, Industry of Nature shows a compilation of 75 fascinating solutions which nature has developed in order to foresee in needs such as adhesion, camouflage, aerodynamics, strength, electricity generation, insulation, and much more.

AMSTERDAM.- Nature has always been a source of inspiration and resources to mankind – from the reproduction of floral motifs to the use of wood – but it has more to offer. Throughout the ages, nature has developed and optimised countless solutions to issues that also man faces daily. There is an amazing playground of smart, simple and sustainable behaviours, just waiting to be explored and learned from. Offering a starting point to explore the wonders of nature, Industry of Nature shows a compilation of 75 fascinating solutions which nature has developed in order to foresee in needs such as adhesion, camouflage, aerodynamics, strength, electricity generation, insulation, and much more. Some of these solutions have already been applied to designs which are therefore also featured in the book. For example, the light and resistant honeycomb materials that take inspiration from the cellular structure built by bees, supramolecular materials with properties of self-healing that are inspired by human skin, and the Eastgate Centre building in Zimbabwe that has passive air conditioning which requires no input of energy, inspired by termite mounds. Providing a theoretical framework, interviews with architecture studio AtelierZéroCarbone, Professor of philosophy Catherine Larrère, designer Mathieu Lehanneur and ethical marketing consultant Hervé Naillon, highlight the ecology issues from different angles. The interview with biologist Janine Benyus, co-founder of The Biomimicry Institute and The Biomimicry Guild, stands out as a point of reference and thoroughly explains what biomimicry is all about, why it is so important and how creative professionals can take part in this. Other features in the book are a chapter on the history of biomimicry and man's relationship with nature over the years, a graphical timeline showing Earth's developments, a bibliography and an extensive glossary. The ecology issue has become unavoidable and should be considered as a great opportunity to deeply change our way of thinking and acting. Industry of Nature is a kaleidoscope of information and inspiration that will hopefully expand the readers imagination and stimulate people to improve the world in which we live. Features • 75 beautiful illustrations drawn especially for this book by Dépli Design studio • Over 80 photos and descriptions of designs where techniques derived from nature were successfully applied • References on every page that link to relevant illustrations, photographs and articles on other pages