A BIOMIMETIC APPROACH TO THE USE AND GENERATION OF BUILDING MATERIALS IN ARCHITECTURE

The present paper deals with the subject of building materials existing in nature, used to generate animal shelters and how they can provide answers about efficiency and rational use of resources in artificially built environment. The interest for the materials used by living organisms result from the fact that they have evolved by succesfully surpassing rigorous selection processes and from the idea according to which natural systems research may result in the determination of those properties / features applicable to artificial materials. The goal is to raise awarenwess regarding the importance of the relation between form and function in architecture, the relationship between the architectural object and the environment. The means of investigation include the main categories of existing building materials found in the natural environment with their tectonic-constructive features, their generation and application, illustrated through several case studies. The result of the research can stimulate the interest towards biomimetic architecture regarding construction materials innovation and can contribute to the development of the concept of green design in architecture.