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Biomimicry & Construction & Real Estate
Building the future by drawing inspiration from the intelligence of living things
Construction & real estate: between urban expansion and ecological transition
The construction and real estate industry is a global economic driver, representing almost 13% of global GDP and projected to reach $15.5 trillion by 2030. However, it is also one of the most resource-intensive, generating approximately 39% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions.
With 70% of the world's population expected to live in urban areas by 2050 , the construction and real estate sector faces major challenges. Energy optimization of buildings, resource management, and adaptation to extreme weather conditions are becoming imperatives, accentuated by evolving environmental standards and increasing pressure on materials and infrastructure.
Faced with these challenges, construction and real estate professionals must reconcile sustainability, performance, profitability, and economic competitiveness. Reducing material costs, improving energy efficiency, decreasing the carbon footprint of construction sites, and integrating innovative building solutions are all essential levers for designing the buildings of tomorrow, while keeping budgets under control.
Biomimicry presents a major technological opportunity for aeronautics:
With 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature has developed sophisticated strategies to improve structural strength , optimize energy management , and ensure optimal thermal and acoustic comfort. By drawing inspiration from these proven mechanisms, the construction and real estate sector can design more efficient, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure, adapted to climate and energy challenges.
African termite mounds , true masterpieces of natural engineering, have inspired passive ventilation systems capable of regulating building temperature by exploiting differences in air pressure, thus limiting the need for air conditioning. To further optimize thermal performance, phase change materials (PCMs) represent a promising solution. Capable of absorbing, storing, and releasing heat according to temperature variations, they improve the thermal inertia of buildings, thereby reducing heating and cooling requirements. These systems draw inspiration from several biological mechanisms, notably the subcutaneous fat of dolphins , which allows them to efficiently regulate their body temperature.
Acoustic insulation is another key issue for the comfort of buildings in urban environments. Butterfly wings , whose microstructure dissipates and absorbs sound waves, inspire the development of acoustic panels that improve the soundproofing of interior and exterior spaces.
Certain natural structures allow for the optimization of mechanical resistance and lightness in constructions . Lattice structures, observed in honeycombs or the skeleton of Venus' basket , are already being used in the design of buildings, concrete structures, and facades that are lighter and more resistant to mechanical stresses and earthquakes.
Finally, indoor air quality is a major health issue for modern buildings. Inspired by fish gills, which efficiently filter oxygen from water while retaining unwanted particles, new bio-inspired filtration systems improve air purification by capturing pollutants and fine particles, thus ensuring a healthier and better-ventilated indoor environment.
Bionnov, a French expert in biomimicry, supports construction and building and public works stakeholders in the integration of bio-inspired solutions, combining performance, energy efficiency and resilience in the face of the sector's challenges.
