Learning from plants: a new framework to approach water-harvesting design concepts

Abstract

PurposeThis paper's main objective is to focus on the water-harvesting ability of plants and try to implement a solution-based method to outline a plant-inspired design framework.Design/methodology/approachThe current paper aims to provide a step-by-step approach to the biological-inspired design by looking deeply at plants' mechanisms and features to harvest water and conduct a method to learn them in an organized way.FindingsIn addition to the proposed framework, the fundamental water-harvesting principles of plants including increasing condensation, reducing transpiration and facilitating transportation have been extracted by investigating several adaptable plants. The relevant factors related to each of these three principles are introduced and can potentially ease the process of bio-inspiration as it contributes to the findability and understandability of a particular biologic strategy. As a result, this framework can be used to the formation of novel designs in different disciplines. In this process, the development of an architectural design concept is presented as an example.Originality/valueThe current global issue about the shortage of water leads researchers to learn adaptability from nature and increase the demands of using bio-inspired strategies. The novelty of this study is to introduce a water-harvesting design path, which has been presented using a four-step-plant-to-design process. Learning from plants' water-harvesting strategies will contribute to efficiency in different disciplines. The findings of this study have important implications for developing bio-inspired water-harvesting materials and systems. Moreover, the findings add substantially to the understanding of water-harvesting architecture and play an important role in bridging the gap between theory and practice.

From Flora to Solar Adaptive Facades: Integrating Plant-Inspired Design with Photovoltaic Technologies

“…Thus, there is a need to integrate plant mechanisms with the specific demands of building facades [29]. In the process of bio-inspiration, it is crucial to acknowledge the significance of biological characteristics and their relevance to achieving successful integration [64]. Plants exhibit remarkable abilities to control solar radiation through three key adaptive strategies: light harvesting (optimizing sunlight exposure), light regulation (minimizing sunlight exposure) and thermoregulation (temperature control).…”

“…Plants employ diverse strategies and incorporate various features to harvest solar radiation and optimize its utilization when required [64]. Esteso-Martínez et al [65] identified numerous structural and morphological characteristics related to light harvesting in certain plant species.…”

“…Here, an integrative hierarchal approach is adopted to translate biological data to a design language [5,64,82] and link it to the properties of PV technologies to present a PVintegrated Bio-ASBE framework (Figure 5). This approach encompasses two interconnected facets.…”

Environmentally Responsive Materials for Building Envelopes: A Review on Manufacturing and Biomimicry-Based Approaches

“…A theoretical framework for plant-inspired design generation was proposed by Jalali et al [ 93 ] following a solution-based approach. This approach aimed to achieve water harvesting following a four-step plant-to-design path applied to an example of a building envelope panel.…”

A Biomimetic Approach to Water Harvesting Strategies: An Architectural Point of View

“…Badarnah and Kadri (2015) designed a wall surface capable of harvesting water. Similarly, Jalali, Aliabadi, and Mahdavinejad (2021) developed a water harvesting facade proposal based on water harvesting strategies in plants. Mazzoleni (2013) also investigated water collection strategies in living things in nature and presented conceptual solutions.…”