Design As, With, and For Nature: A Comprehensive Study on The Potential of Bio-Integrated Design within the Built Environment

This thesis, "Design As, With, and For Nature: A Comprehensive Study on The Potential of Bio-Integrated Design within the Built Environment," investigates the transformative potential of bio-integrated design. By redefining the relationship between human-made structures and natural systems, this research emphasizes innovative approaches that harmonize architectural practices with ecological principles. Bio-integrated design, encompassing biomimicry, biophilia, and bio-utilization, presents a compelling strategy to address the pressing environmental challenges of the Anthropocene. Through a detailed analysis of case studies, including living walls, kinetic facades, and algae-based systems, this study reveals the multifaceted benefits of bio-integrated design, highlighting its ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. The study finds that the importance of adaptive regulatory frameworks, interdisciplinary collaboration, and educational outreach in advancing sustainable urban development is crucial. This thesis aims to contribute to the growing discourse on sustainable architecture, proposing a holistic framework that advocates for designing as, with, and for nature to foster resilient and regenerative built environments.