COTE: Biomimicry & Biophilia Workshop

Registration is closed.

Join COTE for a three-hour workshop where we will do an introduction to biomimicry and biophilia and how to integrate them into your design process.

Biomimicry, in a simplified definition, is innovation inspired by nature. It is an intentional practice of learning from (not just copying) living things to better inform our design decisions. Biophilia describes Human’s innate connection and love for nature. Biophilia in the design practice is about finding ways to integrate nature into the design and has been shown to have positive health benefits and improve well-being. Both Biomimicry and Biophilia in design take inspiration from nature to help guide our design decisions and connect us with nature.

The workshop will cover the steps on how to solve design challenges by taking inspiration from nature. We will define the design impact you want to achieve, look to natural models for inspiration, abstract biological findings into design mechanisms, and develop a solution inspired by nature. The case study will feature Confluence Park where the petals of the park and rainwater collection were inspired by local flowers and water collection systems. The workshop will take place in both an indoor classroom setting and outdoors around Confluence Park, where we will do a site walk and exploration activity around confluence park.  iSites: Nature Journaling for Biomimicry, written by Erin Rovalo, will be provided at the workshop and is included in the cost of the event. “iSites: Nature Journaling for Biomimicry is a hands-on journal with prompts for observing the natural world, asking the right questions, and building your collection of inspiring biological forms, processes, and systems.

The workshop will be led by:

Kathy Zarsky – Founder, Sustainable Strategy & Systems Designer at HOLOS collaborative. Biophilic and Biomimicry Design Researcher & Advisor.
Andrew Kudless – Director at Matsys and Professor and Director of the Advanced Media Technology Lab at UH Hines College of Architecture & Design.
Kelly Lyons –  Botanist and Ecologist Professor at Trinity University
Tenna Florian – Partner at Lake|Flato Architects
Kate Sector – Design Performance Coordinator at Lake|Flato Architects

This course has been approved for 3 AIA HSW Credits.

Light refreshment will be provided.