Member-only story
What Can Human Architects and Engineers Learn from Termites?
Smart insects’ lessons on building better, energy-saving homes.
Home design and urban planning have been my hobby since the first online apps appeared. Initially, I fooled around with AutoCAD — just to learn the basics — and later developed more serious projects with FloorPlanner, though I never published any.
Although I follow industry updates — especially futuristic ideas — I always knew I’d never be an architect or interior designer. But that hasn’t stopped me from admiring ingenious design wherever it appears — even in places most people would never think to look.
When we think of architects and engineers designing the buildings of the future, termites might not be the first creatures that come to mind. Yet two scientists have revealed that these tiny insects — specifically the termite species Macrotermes michaelseni from Namibia — hold valuable lessons for creating energy-efficient, comfortable interior climates in our homes.
The discovery could revolutionize architecture and help reduce the carbon footprint of air conditioning.
Termites, often dismissed as pests, are actually ecosystem engineers of immense significance. Their colossal mounds, towering up to eight meters high, have evolved over…
