AN APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF BIOMIMICRY IN RESORT DESIGN

(A CASE STUDY OF PROPOSED HEALTH RESORT, LAMINGO )

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
One of the main challenges of the twenty-first century will be to bring about more sustainable human communities. The broad and diverse field of sustainability has come to be known as it helps play a central role in meeting this goal. Biomimicry, a part of it addresses the nuts-andbolts of how tourism attraction spots and its related products should be built and run, including how they relate to natural ecosystems. With proper planning, development and management, they (tourist products) can be used as tools for conserving and protecting the natural environment. This research is aimed at looking into the problem of sustainability in resorts and how the principles of biomimicry can be used as a tool to solve these problems. The model for the research is built upon the works of several environmental scientists and architects specialized in environmental sustainability. Their works, which explores Biomimicry, where flora, fauna or entire ecosystems are emulated as a basis for design, is a growing area of research in the fields of architecture and engineering. Through a resourceful literature review, and an examination of existing case studies where biomimetic technologies were explored, this thesis elaborates on distinct approaches to biomimetic design that have evolved. The whole assertion developed in these concepts of biomimetic approaches identify considerations that move to the application of natural principles and strategies such as; adopting natural forms, regenerative site design, the harvesting of renewable energy for power generation, water management and bio inspired filtration methods and the efficient use of materials in adaptation to changing conditions in the environment. These concepts were adopted and explored in the design, which was s necessary for actualizing a more realistic sustainability in regard to both the natural and human made worlds. The study has shown that a biomimetic approach to resort design involves an understanding of ecosystems, which when applied could become a vehicle for creating sustainable built environment. This would help create a viable tourism development in Nigeria.