This three-week workshop invites students to explore the fascinating world of animal-inspired design. In Week 1, participants will learn about the fundamentals of animal-based architecture and examine inspiring examples, including termite mounds, bee hives, bird nests, and beaver dams, to discover how nature solves structural and functional challenges through biomimicry. Students will then choose an animal to focus on and begin researching and sketching their ideas. In Week 2, students will develop their own designs, such as a pavilion, inspired by their chosen animal. They will experiment with sketches and models to bring their concepts to life. Week 3 will be dedicated to finalizing their creations and presenting their work in a showcase, sharing the process and inspiration behind their designs.
Biomimicry: how animals solve design challenges
Basics of architecture: form, function, stability, and scale
Natural and recycled materials in construction
Design thinking: research → sketch → prototype → present
Examples of animal-inspired buildings
Observe and sketch nests, shells, and hives
Research a chosen animal and plan a pavilion concept
Experiment with materials (cardboard, clay, sticks, fibers)
Build models and prototypes of designs
Collaborate on a group project
Present finished work in a final showcase
Kansateshri (Kansi) Megavarnan
Masters of Science Sustainable Design
Eesha Chen
Bachelor's in Architecture