How Termite Mounds Inspire Ventilation in Modern Architecture
Termites may be considered a pest, but they have inspired architects for decades. Architects and builders have taken notice of the ventilation system in termite mounds in particular, and it has even been the inspiration for models of contemporary building design. In this blog, I will talk about how these ventilation systems have been used by architects to create some of the most iconic buildings.
Soil, termite faeces, and saliva are combined to create termite mounds. The mound appears substantial and solid, but it is actually quite porous. (The Incredible Termite Mound, 2011) Tiny openings in its walls allow outside air to enter and permeate the entire building, regulating temperature and humidity inside. This remarkable natural system has inspired innovative architectural designs that mimic these passive cooling techniques. These mounds can stand as high as 20 feet tall and have 18-inch walls. (Termite Mounds, n.d.) Their intricate structure showcases how nature’s designs can offer sustainable solutions for modern architecture.
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Termite ventilation systems are complex; they have a massive central chimney inside the hill linked to a network of tunnels around the mound. In comparison to the air in the insulated chimney, the air in the surrounding areas of the mound warms up more quickly during the day. Warm air rises as a result, while cooler air from chimneys sinks, forming a closed convection cell that drives circulation rather than external pressure from the wind as had been originally assumed. The ventilation system, however, reverses at night as the air in the buttresses rapidly cools and drops to a temperature below that of the central chimney. (How Termite Mounds ‘Breathe’, 2022) I believe that the use of these systems could help architects to adapt to different climates.
A key example of where these systems have been implemented is the Council House 2 which is an office building in Melbourne, Australia. A termite mound’s design principles were used to construct the office building. Natural convection was used in the construction to mimic the termite mechanism that was used to regulate and maintain the temperature in the mound. By using a bark façade, it enables the building to control its natural ventilation when it rains. (Biju, 2020) The façade that is used is one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture I have ever come across.
Another example is the Eastgate Centre, Zimbabwe. The centre, an office and shopping complex designed by Mick Pearce is a sophisticated example of how natural cooling may be used. The building’s ventilation system, which draws inspiration from termites’ natural cooling mechanism, allows air to enter at lower floors and exit through chimneys. Comparing the natural system to a typical building, the energy usage is reduced by 10%. (Biju, 2020)
In conclusion, the ventilation system in termite mounds is a fascinating illustration of nature’s inventiveness, and it has motivated architects and builders to develop innovative techniques for designing buildings that can accommodate a variety of climatic conditions efficiently. I believe that by studying nature, we can gain important knowledge that will improve the sustainability and efficiency of our buildings as well as our ability to coexist with the environment.
References:
The Animal House | The Incredible Termite Mound | Nature. (2011, October 28). PBS. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-animal-house-the-incredible-termite-mound/7222/ Biju, A. (2020, June 4). 10 Stunning examples of Biomimicry in Architecture – RTF. RTF | Rethinking The Future. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/2020/06/04/a952-10-stunning-examples-of-biomimicry-in-architecture/ How termite mounds ‘breathe’. (2022, July 29). Science. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.science.org/content/article/how-termite-mounds-breathe What We Can Learn From Termite Mounds. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.terminix.com/termites/colonies/mounds/
Image References:
Image 1: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/140731-termites-mounds-insects-entomology-science
Image 2: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-animal-house-the-incredible-termite-mound/7222/
Image 3 and 4: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/2020/06/04/a952-10-stunning-examples-of-biomimicry-in-architecture/
