EBBT: System Optimization

Factors

System Level

Ecosystems optimize resource usage at the system level, rather than at the level of individual organisms. (Kelly; Out of Control - the New Biology of Machines, 1994)

System effectiveness can coexist with individual inefficiency. (McDonough, Braungart; Cradle to Cradle - Remaking the Way We Make Things, 2002)

Closed Loop

Matter cycles in closed loops within ecosystems. (Odum; The strategy of Ecosystem Development, Science, 2002, 164, p262-270)

Waste as Food

"waste of one organism become the nourishment of the next, through connected food webs at different scales." (Odum; The strategy of Ecosystem Development, Science, 2002, 164, p262-270)

Energy Flows

Matter can be theoretically cycled indefinitely, but energy flows/degrades. (Korhonen; Presentation at the Living Future Conference, April 25-27, 2007)

"The pyramid of life is quite literally an energy distribution chart". (Benyus; Biomimicry, Innovation Inspired by Nature, 1997).

Energy Degradation

"biological systems degrade energy in a large number of small steps, rather than in a small number of large steps". Organisms 'feed' off a cascade of energy, until low-quality heat is left that cannot be put to productive work. (Allen; Applying the Principles of Ecological Emergence to Building Design and Construction, in Construction Ecology, 2002)

Multi-functionality

Organisms structure common substances such that they can fulfill multiple functions. This increases efficiency of both energy and material usage. (Benyus; Biomimicry, Innovation Inspired by Nature, 1997).

Form to Function

Fitting form to function through minimal resource usage to "create only structures and execute only processes necessary for the functions required of an organism in a particular environment." (Reap, Baumeister, Bras; Holism, Biomimicry and Sustainable Engineering, 2005)

Importance of geometry and relative proportion. (Vogel, Cat's Paws and Catapults', 1998) (Faludi, Biomimicry for Green Design. World Changing, 2005)

Applications

Multi-Functionality

Designs based on principles of multi-functionality.

Closed Loop

Designs based on closed loops.

System Optimization

Designs based on optimizing at the systems level.