title: Design and construction principles in nature and architecture.
abstract: This paper will focus on how the emerging scientific discipline of biomimetics can bring new insights into the field of architecture. An analysis of both architectural and biological methodologies will show important aspects connecting these two. The foundation of this paper is a case study of convertible structures based on elastic plant movements.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.|Competence Network Biomimetics, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.|Bionics Competence Network (BIOKON eV), Germany.|Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering, Stuttgart, Germany.|Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed. j.knippers@itke.uni-stuttgart.de.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knippers
authors.affiliation: Competence Network Biomimetics, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.|Bionics Competence Network (BIOKON eV), Germany.|Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Speck
mesh_terms: D001108:Architecture / Q000295:instrumentation*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000639:trends*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003252:Construction Materials