Eastgate Centre, Biomimetic Architecture, Biomimicry, Biomimetic Design, Biomimicry of Termite Mounds, Green Building With Termites, Eco Building, Sustainable Design, Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa, sustainable architecture, biomimicry, termite mound, construction, natural cooling, natural ventilation
Biomimicry’s Cool Alternative: Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe
The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, typifies the best of green architecture and ecologically sensitive adaptation. The country’s largest office and shopping complex is an architectural marvel in its use of biomimicry principles. The mid-rise building, designed by architect Mick Pearce in conjunction with engineers at Arup Associates, has no conventional air-conditioning or heating, yet stays regulated year round with dramatically less energy consumption using design methods inspired by indigenous Zimbabwean masonry and the self-cooling mounds of African termites!