Architect Lydia Fraaije of FRAAi architects designs according to natural principles called biomimicry. "We already applied termite mound ventilation once."
Help us out: what is biomimicry?
"My aim is that all architectural designs fit within the limits and boundaries of our ecosystem. With the basic elements being: Ethos, why you do something, Emulate, conscious learning from nature, and Reconnect, understanding the connection between humans and nature."
That makes you happy. Why?
"For many people, sustainability feels like such a big and heavy task that they don't even want to get started. But biomimicry gives hope. It's a positive approach: looking at nature and what we can learn from it. After all, plants and animals are so smart! What is special about humans is that we are flexible. We can function under different conditions and in different places. We are ecosystem architects and are constantly shaping the world around us. For example, we can build large infrastructures and change entire ecosystems. We can also use this talent in a positive way and collaborate with nature to become nature-positive. We should strive to live in balance with the earth. Compared to very many life forms, humans are still only a young species, and therefore not yet so well adapted to life on earth. That too is hopeful: we can still develop. Together with nature, we can do beautiful things and make our environment better, just as species that have been around much longer do."
How did you get the idea to apply biomimicry?
"When I was eight years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian and an architect. I was always drawing, so I eventually chose to study architecture, but nature continued to fascinate me. When I first heard about biomimicry in 2006, I knew: I'm going to pursue that. I joined BiomimicryNL and apply nature-inspired innovations in my building projects."
You designed your own biomimicry showcase house, tell us more about that?
"It's not finished yet because it's always evolving. We build ourselves and then there are moments of advancing insight after which we change or adjust something again. Moreover, we get a lot of visitors. So far, we have shown over 450 interested parties around our house. These are architects and interior designers, employees of MLG Area Development, and you name it. We are at the intersection of the energy, agriculture and building transition. Because you can do a lot at that point in terms of sustainability, this project - and the topic of biomimicry in general - is attracting a lot of attention."
Does the construction industry already know these principles?
"Attention to biomimicry is growing. I designed the Symbiotic Construction Pavilion in collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat and gave advice on the sustainable renovation of the Topshuis on the Oosterscheldekering. It is increasingly understood that it is important to start from nature and not always put man first. The idea of leaving the earth well behind for future generations is also gaining acceptance."
What did you apply in your own home?
"The house provides ecosystem services. We have no connection to the sewer but allow rainwater to infiltrate into the soil. Among other things, green roofs and facades buffer rainwater, purify the air, capture particulates, contribute to biodiversity and regulate the climate in and around the house. We used prefabricated straw building elements and store 40,000 kilograms of CO2. The facade is made of charred wood that requires no maintenance. We have very simple installations because it is a low-tech passive house; in winter the sun heats it and in summer it stays cool. For very cold days we have a biomass stove. It only needs to burn for two hours to heat up the clay stucco inner walls. They then retain the heat for a very long time. Another mechanism we applied is termite mound ventilation [see the drawing]."
Termite mound ventilation? What is that?
"Termites live in deserts underground in colonies. They dig long corridors with 'chimneys' and, through that ingenious system, provide air ventilation and the right temperature to within half a degree. When the sun hits the chimneys, the warm air rises. Then they open the chimneys and create a natural draft that keeps the temperature in the middle of the hill very constant. The termites know exactly when to open or close which chimneys at what time. We learned the principle by using sensors that control electronic night ventilation. The cold air enters the ground floor here on the north side, goes up through the stairwell and can exit through the skylight. I'm in the process of developing that passive cooling system even further via home automation."
Isn't biomimicry actually a very old idea?
"Yes definitely. You could say that biomimicry is partly back on the scene. In the history of construction, you regularly come across very ingenious things during renovation projects. Monumental buildings with insulation made of seaweed or shells, the application of straw and other natural materials that used to be used, and are still very good. Yet we lost much of that about half a century ago, because it all had to be faster and cheaper. In the process, little or no consideration was given to long-term effects. The great thing is that Nico de Bont | TBI was at Dutch Design Week 2025 with a renovation cabinet, full of lots of old natural materials and methods. That makes me very happy!"
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