Abstract

Ecosystems biomimetics means learning from ecosystems; that is, learning from complex, resilient, self-organized systems in nature, and transferring valuable ecosystem patterns into the architectural work. However, the methodology is incipient and biomimetic tools have to cross disciplines to convey meaning for both ecology and architecture; so qualitative and quantitative tools need to be developed in order to stimulate the research in the field. In this paper, an ecological engineering tool, the energy systems diagrams as defined by ecologist H. Odum, is used to represent more than 20 sustainable-rated buildings under the light of ecological systems. The buildings selected are certified projects under the LEED, Living Building Challenge or Passive House rating systems, and data has been captured from their organizations web sites. The results show that ecological systems diagrams are powerful and effective instruments for characterization of the environmental performance of buildings in terms of energy and matter use; and that a shared language between disciplines is achievable. The validation of ecological systems diagrams as a useful biomimetic tool gives ground for further research on quantitative instruments to develop a complete methodology of ecosystems biomimetics.