Description
The concept of biomimicry is traditionally understood as a function-driven approach emphasising biological efficiency, technological innovation and ecological performance. This paper presents a reflective synthesis for expanding the concept of biomimicry by combining three approaches; architecture, semiotics and design research. We propose a theoretical framework that bridges the functional and cultural dimensions of biomimicry by integrating symbolic and interpretive systems, reflecting on the creative tensions and insights that emerge in transdisciplinary design. By integrating cultural semiotics with nature-based innovation, we argue that biomimicry can also address relational, systemic, and narrative qualities. Grounded in Actor-Network Theory, this framework challenges the conventional divide between human and non-human actors, recognising co-agency as a foundational principle towards symbiosis. The study seeks to explore how the recommendations of the 2024 Wadden Sea Quality Status Report can be interpreted to inspire regenerative and context-sensitive transformations for the area. It illustrates how biomimicry provides a multidimensional lens beyond functionality to address the Wadden Sea’s current and future challenges, enabling the translation of abstracted natural strategies into diverse design responses to climate change. This expanded perspective supports the development of regenerative and context-sensitive designs, particularly for vulnerable landscapes like the Wadden Sea, enhancing their ecological and cultural resilience.| Period | 28 Oct 2025 → 30 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 16th International Scientific Wadden Sea Symposium, ISWSS 2025: The Wadden Sea in transition: cumulative pressures and conservation |
| Event type | Conference |
| Conference number | 16 |
| Organiser | Waddenacademie KNAW |
| Sponsor | Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature |
| Location | Groningen, NetherlandsShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |
Keywords
- biomimicry
- cultural semiotics
- transdisciplinary design
- actor-network theory
- regenerative transformation