From biology to biomimicry: Using nature to build better structures – A review

Nature provides examples of resilient materials and structures with optimised morphologies and topologies to achieve excellent mechanical and structural properties and sustainable options for the construction industry. This paper provides an overview of nature-inspired materials applicable to buildings and civil structures. Current research on bio-inspired novel cementitious composites, bacteria-enhanced materials, building envelopes and facade systems, advanced manufacturing processes, and their applications are discussed. Moreover, this paper provides insights for future research on designing and developing bio-inspired building materials and resilient structures.