Have a design or engineering problem? The answer may be found in the natural world! Life appeared on Earth about 3.8 billion years ago, and since then, nature’s nonstop process of research and development has allowed organisms to adapt to changing circumstances and needs in order to become more resilient, sustainable, and efficient. Biomimicry is reframing how we think about nature. This discipline asks us to observe nature closely, to investigate how the natural world works, and to apply our observations and learnings to the human word. Engaging with biomimicry as a design strategy helps us understand that human activity takes place in the context of larger natural processes, and it challenges us to learn from nature instead of just using it for our benefit.

Put simply, biomimicry is the practice of learning from nature’s adaptations and emulating them to provide solutions to human challenges. It is innovation inspired by nature and the design strategy that was the focus of this exhibition.

Biomimicry is particularly important as we enter an era of unprecedented climate change that will challenge existing systems and even ways of life. As demonstrated in Learning from Nature, many designers and engineers who practice biomimicry are exploring ways in which we can reduce our impact on natural ecosystems and restore our symbiotic relationship with the world around us.