LEVEL 03 · 38 examples
38 examples. System biomimicry learns from how whole ecosystems work, such as closed loops where every waste becomes another organism's food.
Fungi and fungal networks
Novobiom harnesses fungal and mycelium networks to remediate contaminated industrial sites. Fungi naturally break down pollutants and absorb heavy metals, restoring soil health without excavation or chemical treatment.
Fungal mycelium (Ganoderma and other species)
Ecovative Design grows packaging, leather, and foam from fungal mycelium fed on agricultural waste, replacing petroleum-based polystyrene and plastics with materials that are home-compostable in 30–45 days and produce 90 % fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Fungi Inspired On-site Waste Remediation - Mycocycle Mycocycle works with nature’s master decomposers, fungi, to break down complex waste streams such as construction materials and asphalt.
Ecosystems and natural circular systems
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops circular economy frameworks based on ecosystem principles. Circular economies eliminate waste by designing products and systems to cycle continuously through biological or technical loops.
Prairie Ecosystem (North American Tallgrass Prairie)
Polyculture perennial grains mimic prairie biodiversity.
Cyanobacteria / Blue-Green Algae
Harmful algal bloom biomass replaces petroleum-based EVA foam
Algal cell walls and biopolymers
Algae's structural biopolymers inspire foam materials for fully biodegradable, multifunctional footwear, replacing petroleum-based polymers.
Forest Ecosystem (Soil-Plant-Microbial Network)
Mimics forest floor decomposition for household wastewater.
Ecosystems (multiple species interdependence)
Closed-loop business model developed by the Green Business Network and Graham Wiles that cascades waste from one production stage to become input for another.
Oysters (Crassostrea virginica and other species)
Ecosystem restoration using oyster reef structures to rebuild coastal habitats, improve water quality, and provide storm protection.
Natural ecosystem nutrient cycling
This zero-waste urban greenhouse concept mimics natural ecosystem nutrient cycling, where waste from one process becomes input for another, generating food, energy, and water treatment simultaneously.
Whole systems, ecosystems, and natural capitalism principles
Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economy framework applies whole-systems and natural capitalism principles to redesign economic models. This systems-level biomimicry reframes economic success around ecological and social well-being rather than GDP growth.
Coral Reef Ecosystem
Cascade nutrient cycling modelled on coral reef trophic loops
Biological cycles (ecosystems)
Applying circular economy principles from natural ecosystems to textile production and upholstery design.
Namibian fog-basking beetle (Stenocara gracilipes)
This water amphitheatre mimics the Namibian fog-basking beetle's water harvesting mechanism, using hydrophilic/hydrophobic surfaces to condense atmospheric moisture into freshwater with 10x energy savings for desalination.
Schooling fish (mackerel and other species)
Vertical axis wind turbines arranged using principles of fish schooling to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs in wind farms.
Wetland ecosystems (multiple plant and microbial species)
Wastewater treatment systems designed as functioning ecosystems mimicking natural wetlands for biological purification.
Forests and tree ecosystems
Vincent Callebaut Architectures designs biomimetic buildings that function like living ecosystems. Vertical forests integrate vegetation into building structure, mimicking forest ecology while providing insulation, air purification, and aesthetic benefits.
Sensitive plants (Mimosa pudica), circulatory systems, solar-optimising leaf arrangements
A 20,000 m² self-heated, self-cooled, and self-ventilated commercial building in Switzerland whose footprint was generated through genetic algorithm optimisation mimicking nature's solar collection strategies, with adaptive facades inspired by sensitive plants and decentralised heat distribution like a circulatory system.
Biosphere and living ecosystems
A living, breathing office building concept by Chain10 Architecture that integrates biological systems and ecosystem functions into building design.
Various organisms and natural systems (framework)
Comprehensive building certification framework requiring buildings to function like living systems with positive environmental impact.
Mangrove trees (Rhizophora species)
Using mangrove root architecture to design living sea walls that provide coastal protection and habitat restoration.
Soil ecosystem organisms and plant communities
Coal mine land restoration using soil ecosystem principles to rebuild biologically productive landscapes from degraded mining sites.
Deciduous forest ecosystem
This Indian village replicates six ecosystem services from local deciduous forest, with roofs that release monsoonal water as vapour, permeable pavements, tree-root-inspired foundations, and anthills-modelled rainfall management.
Integrated biological systems
An ultra-low energy commercial office building in Seattle that mimics integrated natural systems for sustainability and resilience.
Nature-inspired design combined with dragon dancing tradition
A landscape and park design by Turenscape that integrates natural ecological principles with cultural traditions like dragon dancing for environmental restoration.
Human DNA structure and skiing mechanics
This Taipei tower's DNA double-helix form provides panoramic views, privacy, and structural resilience while absorbing 130 tons of CO2 annually through integrated green systems.
Nature's distributed systems and ecosystem organization
Ken Thompson developed Bioteams framework applying natural distributed organization principles to business. The framework redesigns teams and organizations to operate like decentralized biological systems.
Nature's feedback systems and ecosystem regulation
Bioteams Design develops organizational structures using natural feedback loop principles. Teams self-regulate through information feedback, enabling adaptive response without micromanagement.
Forest patch dynamics and ant communication networks
A 64-hectare carbon-positive community in rural Ontario designed by emulating forest patch dynamics and ant communication strategies to create resilient, pedestrian-focused clusters of prefabricated net-positive homes.
River delta and wetland ecosystems
This Vietnamese waterfront development integrates rather than eradicates natural wetlands and river delta systems, allowing development and ecosystem services to coexist through locally-attuned system design.
Bison grazing patterns and prairie wetland hydrology
A 600-hectare infrastructure master plan for an Indigenous Metis cultural centre in Alberta, Canada, using biomimetic strategies including bison-based regeneration and wetland restoration.
Ephemeral stream systems and forest finger ecology
A 200-hectare mixed-use master plan in Ontario that restores dried ephemeral streams and integrates forest fingers into the urban fabric, achieving measurably higher ecological performance than both pre-design conditions and traditional development.
Heterogeneous biological membranes and circulatory systems
A 121,000 m² airport and commercial complex in Singapore that uses heterogeneous glazing patterns and embedded chilled water pipe systems inspired by biological membranes and circulatory systems to strategically condition a vast indoor garden without massive energy consumption.
Prairie grassland ecosystems and earth-sheltered geology
A 109,000 ft² presidential library achieving Living Building Standard certification through earth-sheltered design, local grazing agriculture for carbon sinking, and energy generation exceeding 105% of building needs.
Swarm intelligence systems (ant colonies, bird flocks, fish schools)
Blockchain technology incorporates swarm intelligence principles enabling decentralized consensus and coordination. Distributed networks achieve agreement without central authority, mimicking how social insects organize.
Island ecosystems and Ahupua'a land management
A biomimetic commercial building on Kaua'i that uses the Living Story methodology and indigenous Hawaiian knowledge to address socio-ecological and economic challenges on the island.
Mycelium networks (fungal hyphae)
Brewery and business clustering inspired by mycelium network structure for resource sharing and integrated waste-to-resource systems.
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