Every weekend in the summer, we set out to discover the solutions provided by living organisms to help us solve our problems, this is called biomimicry. VHere is how termite observation can help us cool our homes.
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When the sun is strong outside and it is 50°C outside, it is between 25°C and 30°C in the termite mounds, these earthen constructions which can reach eight meters in height. Termites, these insects that look like white ants, exploit the principle of natural ventilation. They constantly create air currents, by opening and closing ventilation holes throughout the day, and thus establishing an efficient cooling system, but without any energy expenditure.
We can transpose this breakdown “termite style” in our buildings. This has already been done in a church in Senegal, for example, and architects in Zimbabwe have also built a building inspired by termite mounds which is permanently self-ventilating. It therefore has no air conditioning, but inside the temperature never exceeds 27°C. However, this termite-style ventilation cannot be transposed to all buildings, because it means letting the air circulate naturally, at all times, with openings to the outside. However, the construction code requires the installation of mechanical ventilation, VMC.
Another process inspired by nature is also used in architecture: it is that of flowers which open and close according to the light. In plants, this movement is called nyctinasty. Today, some buildings are designed with mobile envelopes, flexible blades which have a different expansion behavior depending on the temperature, and which deform to protect the walls of the buildings from the heat. This technology can reduce the temperature by 2°C to 3°C without any energy expenditure.