A Biomimetic Approach to Rainwater Harvesting Strategies Through the Use of Buildings

Abstract

Water is limited and strategic basic life source as well essential factor for the continuation of life. There is no alternative to water in the nature. Access to safe water resources is a common vital requirement for all organisms. In today’s world, global warming, pollution, climate change and the rapid increase of the world population have necessitated more water use; the water resources have started to decrease, and the sustainability of those water resources has become a critical issue. After that the humans are faced with the fact that the water resources are limited, they have begun to seek for alternative solutions for the acquisition and preservation of water efficiently. In these quests, the issue of collecting rainwater has begun to be considered as a solution to water-related problems in the buildings. While humans are looking for answers to how to obtain rain water, many plants and animal species use limited water resources with sustainable methods which give tips to humans on potential water resources and modes of use. For this purpose; the study of rainwater harvesting, which has a critical aspect in terms of ensuring the sustainability of water resources, and of the most strategic environmental issues of the century we are in, has been examined. The living creatures those who succeeded in obtaining water by various techniques in the nature were researched. Innovative approaches to rainwater harvesting, one of the most promising alternatives for achieving water in the face of decreasing water resources and increasing demand, have been addressed through biomimicry and constructions in the architecture of the future. The aim of the work in this context is to realize the potential of collecting, storing and reusing rainwater in buildings which are designed with biomimetic approaches in terms of rainwater harvesting methods to contribute to the solution of water related problems in the buildings and to present possible design and manufacturing methods.