IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i16p7223-d1721334.html

Biomimicry and Green Architecture: Nature-Inspired Innovations for Sustainable Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Walaa Mohamed Metwally

    (Architecture Department, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The building sector is a pivotal driver of global resource depletion and environmental deterioration, being responsible for 40% of raw material consumption, 16% of water usage, 25% of timber utilization, and 40% of total energy demand. It also accounts for 30% of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, predominantly CO 2 . The operational phase of buildings is the most energy-intensive and emission-heavy stage, accounting for 85–95% of their total life-cycle energy consumption. This energy is primarily expended on heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water systems, which are largely dependent on fossil fuels. Furthermore, embodied energy, the cumulative energy expended from the extraction of materials through construction, operation, and eventual demolition, plays a substantial role in a building’s overall environmental footprint. To address these pressing challenges, this study discusses sustainable innovations within green architecture and biomimicry. Our topic supports the 2030 vision Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both directly and indirectly (SDGs 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13). This study also explores cutting-edge applications, such as algae- and slime mold-inspired decentralized urban planning, which offer innovative pathways toward energy efficiency and sustainability. Considering the integration of renewable energy sources, passive design methodologies, and eco-friendly materials, this research emphasizes the transformative potential of biomimicry and green architecture in fostering a sustainable built environment, mitigating climate change, and cultivating a regenerative coexistence between human habitats and the natural world.

Suggested Citation

  • Walaa Mohamed Metwally, 2025. "Biomimicry and Green Architecture: Nature-Inspired Innovations for Sustainable Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7223-:d:1721334
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7223/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7223/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tianqi Liu & Lin Chen & Mingyu Yang & Malindu Sandanayake & Pengyun Miao & Yang Shi & Pow-Seng Yap, 2022. "Sustainability Considerations of Green Buildings: A Detailed Overview on Current Advancements and Future Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Chandan Swaroop Meena & Ashwani Kumar & Siddharth Jain & Ateeq Ur Rehman & Sachin Mishra & Naveen Kumar Sharma & Mohit Bajaj & Muhammad Shafiq & Elsayed Tag Eldin, 2022. "Innovation in Green Building Sector for Sustainable Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Elrayies, Ghada Mohammad, 2018. "Microalgae: Prospects for greener future buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1175-1191.
    4. Silvia Mazzetto, 2022. "Sustainable Heritage Preservation to Improve the Tourism Offer in Saudi Arabia," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(4), pages 195-207.
    5. Sommese, Francesco & Badarnah, Lidia & Ausiello, Gigliola, 2022. "A critical review of biomimetic building envelopes: towards a bio-adaptive model from nature to architecture," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    6. Constantin C. Bungau & Tudor Bungau & Ioana Francesca Prada & Marcela Florina Prada, 2022. "Green Buildings as a Necessity for Sustainable Environment Development: Dilemmas and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-34, October.
    7. Khozema Ahmed Ali & Mardiana Idayu Ahmad & Yusri Yusup, 2020. "Issues, Impacts, and Mitigations of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Building Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-11, September.
    8. Toshiyuki Nakagaki & Hiroyasu Yamada & Ágota Tóth, 2000. "Maze-solving by an amoeboid organism," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6803), pages 470-470, September.
    9. Eleftherios Touloupakis & Cecilia Faraloni & Ana Margarita Silva Benavides & Giuseppe Torzillo, 2021. "Recent Achievements in Microalgal Photobiological Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, November.
    10. Bazilian, Morgan & Onyeji, Ijeoma & Liebreich, Michael & MacGill, Ian & Chase, Jennifer & Shah, Jigar & Gielen, Dolf & Arent, Doug & Landfear, Doug & Zhengrong, Shi, 2013. "Re-considering the economics of photovoltaic power," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 329-338.
    11. Silvia Mazzetto, 2022. "Sustainable Heritage Preservation to Improve the Tourism Offer in Saudi Arabia," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(4), pages 195-207.
    12. Kolthoom Alkofahi & Ivan A. Duran & Najia Saqib, 2024. "Net-Zero Emissions Pathways in BRICS Economies: The Impact of Environmental Innovations, Policy, and Human Capital on Carbon Footprint Reduction," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(6), pages 106-113, November.
    13. Saqib, Najia & Shahzad, U., 2024. "Pathways to sustainability: Evaluating the impact of green energy, natural resources, FinTech, and environmental policies in resource-abundant countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    14. Ebrahim Hamid Hussein Al-Qadami & Zahiraniza Mustaffa & Mohamed E. Al-Atroush, 2022. "Evaluation of the Pavement Geothermal Energy Harvesting Technologies towards Sustainability and Renewable Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, February.
    15. Halkos, George & Gkampoura, Eleni-Christina, 2021. "Where do we stand on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals? An overview on progress," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 94-122.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cevdet Emin Ekinci & Belkis Elyigit, 2025. "A New Method in Certification of Buildings: BCA Method and a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Seyi Stephen & Clinton Aigbavboa, 2025. "Enhancing Academia–Industry Partnerships for Sustainable Building: A Change Framework for Research and Innovation Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-33, April.
    3. Xin Sui & Tianchang Chen & Gao Liu, 2026. "Business-oriented branding strategies, consumer perceptions, and marketing potential in green tourism," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Xiaoxu Dang & Liyuan Liu & Xiaopeng Deng & Na Zhang & Mengyuan Cheng, 2025. "The Risk Mitigation Effect of Social Responsibility: Evidence from International Construction Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-23, April.
    5. Sara Sampieri & Silvia Mazzetto, 2025. "Public–Private Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Tourism Hospitality: Comparisons Between Italy and Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-25, July.
    6. Prin Boonkanit & Kridchai Suthiluck, 2023. "Developing a Decision-Making Support System for a Smart Construction and Demolition Waste Transition to a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-27, June.
    7. Silvia Mazzetto & Raffaello Furlan & Reem Awwaad, 2025. "Sustainable Urban Renewal: Planning Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Riyadh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-37, May.
    8. Javed, Hasnain & Du, Jianguo & Iqbal, Shuja & Nassani, Abdelmohsen A. & Basheer, Muhammad Farhan, 2024. "The impact of mineral resource abundance on environmental degradation in ten mineral- rich countries: Do the green innovation and financial technology matter?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    9. María D. Abellán-Salinas & María López-Martínez & Gloria M. Soto, 2026. "Measuring Global Sustainable Development and the Impact of SDG Interlinkages in the XXI Century," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 181(2), pages 1-27, January.
    10. repec:aen:journl:ej37-si2-papaefthimiou is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Briguglio, Marie & Formosa, Glenn, 2017. "When households go solar: Determinants of uptake of a Photovoltaic Scheme and policy insights," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 154-162.
    12. Ondraczek, Janosch, 2014. "Are we there yet? Improving solar PV economics and power planning in developing countries: The case of Kenya," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 604-615.
    13. Baurzhan, Saule & Jenkins, Glenn P., 2016. "Off-grid solar PV: Is it an affordable or appropriate solution for rural electrification in Sub-Saharan African countries?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1405-1418.
    14. Dar, Rouf Ahmad & Tsui, To-Hung & Zhang, Le & Tong, Yen Wah & Sharon, Sigal & Shoseyov, Oded & Liu, Ronghou, 2024. "Fermentation of organic wastes through oleaginous microorganisms for lipid production - Challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    15. Halkos, George & Managi, Shunsuke, 2023. "New developments in the disciplines of environmental and resource economics," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 513-522.
    16. Jie, Guo & Jiahui, Lv, 2023. "Media attention, green technology innovation and industrial enterprises’ sustainable development: The moderating effect of environmental regulation," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 873-889.
    17. Gonçalves, M. & Figueiredo, A. & Almeida, R.M.S.F. & Vicente, R., 2024. "Dynamic façades in buildings: A systematic review across thermal comfort, energy efficiency and daylight performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    18. Wiebe, Kirsten S. & Lutz, Christian, 2016. "Endogenous technological change and the policy mix in renewable power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 739-751.
    19. Jinxiang Zang & Neilson Teruki & Sharon Yong Yee Ong & Yan Wang, 2025. "Can Enterprise Digitalization Promote Green Technological Innovation? Evidence from China’s Manufacturing Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-18, February.
    20. Gao, Cai & Yan, Chao & Zhang, Zili & Hu, Yong & Mahadevan, Sankaran & Deng, Yong, 2014. "An amoeboid algorithm for solving linear transportation problem," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 398(C), pages 179-186.
    21. Moon, Yongma & Baran, Mesut, 2018. "Economic analysis of a residential PV system from the timing perspective: A real option model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 783-795.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7223-:d:1721334. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.