JOIN USWhen it comes to buildings world over we see many architectural marvels, be it a heritage building, commercial or housing complex. They boast of human brilliance. However, it is important to remember where it all began — with nature. Since the evolution of mankind, we have been imitating nature and look to her for inspiration. In what can be called the latest lesson in architecture, scientists have been drawing inspiration from termites.
Mound-building termites or mound-builders, found in Africa, Australia and South America, have a unique way of building houses. The termite mound has built-in climate control. It can maintain constant temperature and humidity even in the harsh climate of sub-Saharan African regions where the outside temperature varies from 3 degree celsius to 42 degree celsius.
Scientists have been studying the mound's system of temperature control, recycling and structure in order to apply the same to emerging green building technologies. It was found that the termites achieve temperature control by constantly opening and closing a series of heating and cooling vents throughout the mound over the course of the day.
With a system of carefully adjusted convection currents, air is sucked in at the lower part of the mound, down into enclosures with muddy walls, and up through a channel to the peak of the termite mound. The industrious termites constantly dig new vents and plug up old ones in order to regulate the temperature. Researchers have created 3D images of the mound’s structure and found that the idea can be incorporated in the construction of modern buildings. In fact, a mid-rise office complex in Harare, Zimbabwe, has been designed and constructed applying a technology similar to that used in the mounds. The building has no conventional air-conditioning or heating, yet it stays regulated year round. The complex uses only 10 per cent of the energy used in a conventional building of its size.
No talk of nature’s engineering feats, especially those of homes, is complete without mentioning birds’ nests. Among the birds, without a doubt, the “Weaver Bird” takes the trophy. Commonly known as Tailor Birds or Finches, Weaver Birds are known as Geejagana Hakkigalu in Kannada. They belong to the Ploceidae family. Even the popular English Sparrow, a town dweller, comes from this family. Builder of the most complex nests, Weaver Birds are named accordingly. Their conical nests can be seen suspended from branches of trees. Only the male Weaver Bird engages in the construction of the nest. These winged species, search for a safe location to build nests, generally during the mating season, usually on branches hung over abandoned wells. Did you know that to test the strength of the branch, the bird pulls on it and hangs from it for several hours?
The birds make 500 trips a day to collect small dried branches, long and dry paddy leaves and other natural materials. They use their sharp beaks to sew the nests intricately, like a master tailor. The knots formed provide stiffness to the nest. Generally, the top portion, woven like a cone, is made with leaves which prevent seepage of rain water inside
The birds gather the plant fibre and mix it well with their saliva which makes it elastic and water-proof. An awe-inspiring aspect of these nests is their lighting arrangement. The birds catch small fireflies and stick them to the inner walls of the nest, thus providing light to the nest. Their sturdy nests have a long life spread over many decades. The birds are famous for building apartments in which 100 to 300 bird families can live in individual chambers. Sounds familiar? This only goes to show how nature has a great deal to teach us, as long as we ask the right questions.