GEF

Unit 9  |  New Technology and Innovative Sustainability Approaches 188 Burrs (left) were the inspiration for the invention of Velcro (right). An example of biomimicry for sustainability is the Eastgate Center, a shopping center and office building in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Eastgate Center is entirely ventilated and cooled through natural means. The Eastgate Center was designed by architect Mark Pearce, who was inspired by local termite mounds, which maintain a constant internal tempera- ture despite wide variations in outdoor temperatures. The termites open and close vents throughout the day to control airflow, keeping the interior of the mound comfortable. Similarly, the Eastgate Center draws outside air into the build- ing through vents. The air is warmed or cooled by the mass of the building, depending on whether the building or the air is hotter. By replicating the termite design principles, the Eastgate Center uses 90 percent less energy than a conven- tionally cooled building. Pearce’s approach, a form of passive heating and cooling , has since been emulated in several structures around the world. Examples of biomimicry exist in many fields, and using nature as a model for technology and design can play an increasingly vital role in the advancement of sustainability. PASSIVE HEATING AND COOLING Using building design principles to heat and cool structures without relying on additional energy inputs.