Learning from nature: biomimicry-inspired building design for carbon reduction in urban living

Abstract

The built environment contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, with urban construction accounting for over one-third of total CO₂ emissions. With increasing urbanisation and climate concerns, effective methods for reducing building emissions are essential. This research evaluates biomimicry-inspired designs in reducing carbon emissions in urban high-rise residential buildings. A comparative analysis was conducted between a conventional 35-storey residential tower and a biomimicry-inspired model based on the human femur's structural efficiency and tree trunks' aerodynamic shape. Autodesk Carbon Insight was employed to assess carbon emissions, controlling variables such as material use, occupancy patterns, climatic conditions, and mechanical systems. The biomimicry-inspired design achieved a 48.76% reduction in embodied carbon and a 47.8% reduction in operational carbon, leading to an overall carbon emission decrease of 61%. These reductions were mainly due to structural optimisation, improved passive ventilation from stack effects, and effective solar shading. This study offers new theoretical insights by integrating form-driven design with carbon analysis at early design stages. The use of Autodesk Carbon Insight not only facilitates precise carbon quantification but also bridges a critical gap in evaluating biomimetic architecture beyond aesthetics or energy modelling. Practically, the findings introduce a replicable and scalable strategy for urban development that aligns construction with natural principles. As the urban environment continues to grow, the path forward must not resist nature but emulate it, because, as nature has long demonstrated, form follows function. This approach reframes design as a dialogue with the biosphere, marking a necessary shift toward regenerative and carbon-conscious architecture.