1 . Nature has inspired many of the most fascination designs around us, including those in architecture. From Barcelona’s forest-like Sagrada Familia to the modern style of Beijing’s Water Cube, nature is presented in various architectural designs. Today, architects continue to explore ways to capture the beauty of natural forms, to mimic (模仿) the way nature works or even to make natural organisms part of a building.
ArtScience Museum, Singapore
ArtScience Museum was designed to show the connection between nature and the modern city environment in which it sits. Shaped to resemble a lotus flower, it appears to float above the waterfront promenade and the water that surrounds it. Its roof collects rainwater and channels it 35 metres down to a waterfall in the centre of the space. The water is then recycled through the building’s plumbing system. Visitors are often amazed to find themselves in an urban building that so truly captures the beauty of natural forms.
The Eastgate Centre, Harare
Harare’s Eastgate Centre is a superb example of biomimicry (生物仿生). To use biomimicry is to create structures based on natural forms and processes. Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre while watching a nature documentary in which termites (白蚁) were constructing their nests. The insects built mounds covered in little holes designed to allow air to move freely in and out of the mounds. In a similar way, the Eastgate Centre has a “skin” covered in holes. During the day, warm air is drawn into the building through the holes, cooling as it reaches the middle of the building. At night, the heat absorbed by the wall during the day warms the cool air, creating a comfortable temperature inside. The design reduces the need for traditional air conditioning and heating systems, so the building uses less energy and costs less to run.
The Algae (藻类) House, Hamburg
The world’s first algae-powered building is in Hamburg, Germany. The surface of the apartment building is covered in panels that contain algae. The algae are fed with liquid nutrients and carbon dioxide to encourage them to grow. In bright sunshine, they grow faster and proved shade. The panels also capture heat from the sun and convert it into energy that powers the building. And that’s not all—the algae inside the panels can be harvested and used to produce fuel. The building therefore not only responds to its environment and uses less energy, but also reduces damage to the environment by generating its own renewable energy.
1. What is the author’s purpose in writing the message?| A．To introduce three biomimicry architects. |
| B．To show how nature fits into architecture. |
| C．To tell us how to use less energy and do less damage to the environment. |
| D．To show some buildings of the future. |
| A．ArtScience Museum looks like a flower. |
| B．The waterfall in the center of the space is formed naturally. |
| C．While in the building, visitors always find themselves in urban areas. |
| D．ArtScience Museum was designed to collect rainwater. |
| A．It was built according to the forms and processes of nature. |
| B．It is shaped like a termite nest. |
| C．Its design relics on traditional air conditioning and beating systems. |
| D．Without those holes, the building wouldn’t work. |
| A．The algae need to feed/ |
| B．The algae can be used to produce fuel/ |
| C．It’s the only algae-powered building in the world. |
| D．Panels containing algae cover the surface of the apartment. |
| A．Nature in architecture |
| B．The development of architecture |
| C．Charm of biomimicry |
| D．In harmony with the building |
