The Role of Biomimicry in Interior Design Education and Structural Forms

Biomimicry is an approach that aims to develop human-made systems by mimicking nature's design principles and processes. In interior architecture education, the application of biomimicry enables students to develop their creative thinking skills and create sustainable design solutions. This approach aims to integrate the inspiring aesthetic and functional characteristics of natural systems into interior design. In this context, this study examines the course content applied within the scope of Structural Knowledge, a compulsory course in the third-semester curriculum of the Interior Architecture Department at Selçuk University's Faculty of Architecture and Design. The aim of the study is for students to analyze the structural characteristics of structures and organisms in nature using biomimicry principles and to create the main outlines of the design process in their own projects. The scope of the study included second-year interior architecture students who were asked to create shells and load-bearing systems for their interior architecture projects in the project studio as part of their Structural Knowledge course. The various shell formations that emerged as a result of the study, along with the impact of nature on the design process, were highlighted. Based on the findings obtained from the semi-structured interviews conducted, it has been revealed that there are positive views regarding the impact of biomimicry on the design process.