Research progress on functional, structural and material design of plant-inspired green bionic buildings

Green bionic architecture serves as a crucial means to ensure the harmonious coexistence of buildings with the natural environment, preserve ecological balance, and promote energy conservation for sustainable development. Plants, being exemplary bionic prototypes, possess outstanding adaptability and systemic performance. Despite achieving some progress in plant-inspired architectural designs, a comprehensive analysis of the functions, structures, and materials used is lacking, necessitating a thorough examination of these aspects. This study examines practical applications and typical cases of green bionic architecture inspired by plants, summarizing bionic technologies employed in the development of architectural functions, structures, and materials. Drawing inspiration from the light-conducting properties of plants, improvements in indoor temperature conditions and reduced energy consumption can be achieved, with photosensitivity mitigating excessive heating from direct sunlight. The study extracts insights from plant characteristics to guide the design morphology and enhance structural resilience. Bio-mimetic building materials, inspired by natural elements such as plant leaves, corn leaves, and plant fibers, exhibit autonomous compensation, adaptability, and maintenance capabilities, enhancing the environmental adaptability of buildings. Moreover, based on environmental adaptability and plant growth mechanisms, this study proposes a holistic design concept for plant-inspired green architecture, emphasizing key considerations for future designs. These include the development of plant-inspired architectural structures for improved energy efficiency through technological optimization and the strengthening of material technologies to achieve self-regulation, environmental protection, and efficient low-consumption maintenance. Bionic architecture should adhere to natural laws, study plant growth mechanisms, and integrate modern architectural technologies to support innovation and the rapid development of plant-inspired green architecture. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.