In our world today we are constantly facing new challenges in terms of our environment and the way we live in it. More specifically, how our homes, workplaces, schools affect and are affected by the environment. We use thousands of tonnes of materials, and exuberant amounts of energy to build structures that we hope will stand up to the rigorous demands put on them by us and by nature. Bees on the other hand, create enormously strong structures under everyday conditions. No excessive heat or pressure, no chemicals added, no toxic waste - in fact, no waste at all. Charles Darwin, in "The Origin of Species", commented on the superior strength of the honeycomb, as well as economy of labour and material used in the construction process.
The real strength of honeycomb lies in Geometry... The most common structures in nature are build with equilateral triangles (60º angles) or hexagons (120º angles). Using these angles creates less pressure on any one particular point, and means that the "weight" or "stress" put on the structure is evenly distributed. Nature does indeed know what she is doing! In fact, the shape of the honeycomb is so perfect that master masons use it in their symbology.
It was in 1638 that Galileo Galilei recognised the importance of "hollow solids" and their ability to resist and support substantial loads without being of any considerable weight themselves. Appreciating the qualities of honeycomb is by no means a new trend.
"The extraordinary strength is exemplified by a comb 37 centimetres by 22.5 centimetres in size, which is made of 40 grams of wax but can contain about 1.8 kilograms of honey."- asknature.org
If only we could use the bees' techniques to create structures that could support that kind of strain!
The Beehive Tower, as envisaged by Rory Newel and Lucy Richardson from the University of Nottingham, is an example of how by imitating nature, we can improve our own lives and that of our planet. It is described as a "vertical farm" where people will live, as well as cultivate their own plants and food within the city confine of London. Each hexagon is 8 stories high and contains 8 duplex apartments. Many of the hexagons are dedicated to gardening and productivity. The hexagons face different directions so that sunlight is received on all sides.
Fundamentally, the "Hive" is the future's sustainable apartment building. It contains homes and greenhouses for food production (talk about local produce!). These greenhouses will be active in converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, providing clearer air and an oxygen rich environment in which to live (a real treat in a large city). The crops will be irrigated using a rainwater collection system, and electricity produced by wind turbines on the roof of the "Hive". Compared to today's apartment buildings and skyscrapers, the Beehive Tower would be a breakthrough in terms of an ecofriendly lifestyle. If one considers the oft used phrase "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" - the Hive will reduce the energy used in ones' food; transport and packaging costs will be expunged (as will the problem of "packaging" itself); material usage and waste will be greatly reduced; and rain water is reused.
Apart from the obvious inspiration of the hexagonal "building blocks" that were inspired by honeycombs, one has to appreciate the likeness between what the "Hive" will be and what a bee colony is. The concepts of like-minded communities living and working together to produce sustenance whilst living gracefully, and making as little impact on the environment as possible have been used in every beehive since the first bee made the first waxy hexagon.
One thing that I have noticed with the Beehive Tower, is that no effort has been made to “naturalise” the materials used in the construstion itself or imitate the beeswax's qualities. Beeswax is a natural product, produced waste-free. (No “heat, beat and treat”.) It is also very good at absorbing impact e.g. the trauma and shaking of an earthquake would not affect the structure of honeycomb. Had this been taken into consideration, the Beehive construction would be an inspiring example of benign, enduring and dynamic architecture.
In terms of function, the Beehive Tower maintains physical integrity and, due to the unique pressure distribution if the hexagon shape, it manages structural forces.
For more info (and a cool video):
http://inhabitat.com/beehive-tower-is-a-honeycomb-inspired-vertical-farm-for-london/
Image attributes:
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/08/19/after-gingerbread-android-will-be-called-honeycomb/
http://www.kathykwylie.com/blog/2010/10/geometric-shapes-in-quilts-hexagons/
Hi, I teach 5th grade math and would love to use your photo of the bee and honeycomb in my plane figures lesson. I would of course give you credit for your photo. Please let me know if it is ok to use. Thanks, knorman@glnd.k12.va.us
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