Graduation Year

2021

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Char Miller

Abstract

Our built environment is proving to be unsustainable in the face of climate change and human population growth. The soil is degrading, our waterways are depleted and polluted due to our agricultural systems that are reliant on chemical inputs. Our cities and homes are built in a way that guzzles natural resources, disregards their environment and remains vulnerable to natural disasters. In this thesis I outline ways in which we can shift our built environment through agriculture and architecture to be more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change adversities. This overarching solution is called biomimicry. I analyze examples of alternative agricultural methods such as “do-nothing” farming, permaculture, dry land farming and agroforestry. These techniques have been historically and currently practiced to sustain their local environment and human communities. I also examine private and commercial structures built by architects who use innovative, biomimicry design solutions. These buildings include Antonio Guadi’s casa Vincens, Basilica de la Sagrada Famila, Casa Mila; Frank Lloyd Wright’s Johnson Wax Building; Santiago Calatrava’s Turning Torso; and Mick Pearce’s Eastgate Center. These agricultural and architectural examples are outlined and analyzed in the hope of becoming more greatly recognized and adopted to create a more resilient built environment.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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