Teaching Beyond the Curriculum

Abstract

This paper explores the integration of daylighting and six bio-inspired design frameworks in undergraduate and graduate architectural design studios, including: biophilic, bioregional, bioclimatic, biomimetic, biomorphic, and biomaterial perspectives. A bio-inspired approach to daylighting strategically integrates the ecological and health benefits of nature-based design strategies with traditional daylighting approaches. How are these architectural design frameworks and strategies related, distinct, and/or integrated? The six bio-inspired frameworks discussed in this paper provide related but varied perspectives on nature and biology-inspired daylighting design. Integrating daylighting with one or more of these bio-inspired approaches is a strategic method to promote passive and low-energy strategies toward net-positive energy, carbon-neutral, and sustainable design goals while simultaneously leveraging health benefits for humans, other species, and the planet. While designs inspired by nature and biology are found throughout architectural history, during the past decade – and particularly the past several years of the global pandemic – the relationship between nature, health, and light have gained increased attention in the design disciplines. This paper explores: 1) why a bio-inspired design perspective for daylighting is important, 2) how the six frameworks mentioned above might translate into daylighting design studio exercises, design methods and strategies, qualitative and quantitative design metrics, and design and assessment tools, 3) relationships between daylighting strategies for the six frameworks, and 4) lessons to expand contemporary daylighting design theory and practice to integrate sustainability, health, and wellbeing in architectural design education.