Bioarchitecture – a new vision of energy sustainable cities

¹ University of Wrocław, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Development, pl. Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
² The International University of Logistics and Transport in Wrocław, ul. Sołtysowicka 19B, 51-168 Wrocław, Poland

^* Corresponding author: alicja.krzeminska@uwr.edu.pl

Abstract

Transformation of the natural environment will press the humanity to search for the new look at the problems of architecture and urban design. Nowadays passive houses construction is a standard and green roofs are incorporated in the design of contemporary cities. That's why city cluster will be successively transformed into sustainable bionic systems, which allows to protect the nature and stop further degradation and exploitation of public green space. The good examples of contemporary trend of designing in harmony with nature are energy sustainable underground buildings of Malcolm Wells, who in 60s designed his first energy sufficient construction. The underground cities and rock houses were built from the early beginning of architecture, with significant examples of cities: Sanmenxia in China in Henan Province, Matmata (Tunisia), Cappadocia (Turkey), Uplisciche (Georgia) or Brlhovce (Slovakia) etc. The underground buildings and cities, blending in with the background of topography, have a positive influence on the landscape and are energy sustainable. Climate responsive design materials create effective insulation, which allows to maintain the stable temperature inside the buildings. Bioarchitecture improves the microclimate in the neighborhood through increasing oxygen concentration in atmosphere and limiting of CO₂ emission. Bioarchitecture represents new direction in changing the design priorities towards being closer with nature and it's needs.