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

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  • 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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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