Biomimicry as a Design Tool for Sustainability in Burning Man

Abstract

The architecture developed in this thesis explores how to use biomimicry for an integrative architectural element for a harmonious relationship between the building, its users, and the environment. The Black Rock Desert suffers from the carbon emission and wastes from the Burning Man Festival, where participants intensively use air-conditioners. Three infrastructure was proposed to provide electricity and water. An infrastructure provides natural heating, ventilation, air-conditioner and water collection by emulating the processes and functions of cacti, termite mounds, and prairie dog burrows. The circular economy was developed by recycling the waste from Burning Man to grow cellulose and chitin for building materials for 3D printing, and by using the locally abundant wind, sunlight, and geothermal to operate the Hydration Room. This thesis demonstrates a regenerative and sustainable built environment by integrating a circular economy for building life cycle and operation, and HVAC mechanisms from organisms for design principles.