Application of biomimicry concept to improve the sustainability of the construction industry: a literature review

Abstract

The growing need for urbanisation has resulted in the intense development of the construction industry, which has negatively impacted the conservation of the environment. In this regard, to preserve the ecosystems, the concept of sustainable development was introduced, however, the effectiveness of the existing sustainability practices in the construction industry is at a questionable level. Meanwhile, the evolving concept of biomimicry, which inspires and learns from natural processes, has proven the capacity to achieve sustainable parameters when incorporated into construction processes. Yet, there is a noticeable gap in applying the biomimicry concept to improve the sustainability of the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to comprehend the applicability of the biomimicry concept in improving the sustainability of the construction industry. Accordingly, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on existing studies related to the biomimicry concept. The content analysis method was used to analyse the collected data. The findings suggested that the biomimicry concept can contribute to sustainable parameters such as material efficiency, energy efficiency and zero-waste concept. Accordingly, this study reveals the potential to improve the sustainability of the construction industry by comprehending the application of the biomimicry concept in detail. In this regard, the study discovers the enablers, barriers and strategies for biomimicry application in the construction industry. Accordingly, this study contributes to the theory and bridges the knowledge gap in utilising biomimicry applications to enhance the sustainability of the construction industry. It demonstrates how various biomimicry inspirations can positively impact sustainable parameters such as material efficiency, energy efficiency, and zero waste, thereby revealing the concept's applicability in developing a sustainable built environment.