Biomimicry as a vehicle for Designing Systems-Thinking Futures

“Empowering learners to create a sustainable future” This is the mission of Centre of Expertise Mission-Zero
at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). The postdoc candidate has expanded the existing
knowledge on biomimicry as a strategy to fulfil the mission of Mission-Zero. We knew when tackling a design
challenge, teams have difficulties sifting through the mass of information they encounter. While biomimicry
offers guidelines and methodology, there is insufficient research on complex problem solving that systemsthinking requires.
During this project, existing tools were examined and the gap of moving from a single biological
strategy to a mutualistic and/or systematic strategy during the design phase was found. The need to have a
specific tool to empower learners during this design phase and guide professionals through the translation
from biological strategy to design solution was found and a template to do so was tested and improved through
multiple feedback phases. As output for future biomimicry practitioners, a series of workshops are
supplemented with a ‘toolbox book’ including guidelines, tested templates and examples from future
biomimicry professionals, demonstrating the approach. Examples have been and will continue to be placed on
social media channels and a book launching is planned on March 4th 2024). The postdoc has shared this
information with Nuffic and the Climate Impact Hub in THUAS (in both instances students used the templates
and acted as biomimicry professionals) and as Keynote Speaker at ENIC-NARIC in Stockholm, NLingenieurs,
as well as at The British School and The International School of The Hague. A ‘Biomimicry Living Lab has
been established at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) to ensure a continuation of
ambassadors in this field. Requests to do workshops and be a keynote speaker come to the postdoc on a
weekly basis.

“Empowering learners to create a sustainable future” This is the mission of Centre of Expertise Mission-Zero at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). The postdoc candidate will expand the existing knowledge on biomimicry, which she teaches and researches, as a strategy to fulfil the mission of Mission-Zero.
We know when tackling a design challenge, teams have difficulties sifting through the mass of information they encounter. The candidate aims to recognize the value of systematic biomimicry, leading the way towards the ecosystems services we need tomorrow (Pedersen Zari, 2017). Globally, biomimicry demonstrates strategies contributing to solving global challenges such as Urban Heat Islands (UHI) and human interferences, rethinking how climate and circular challenges are approached. Examples like Eastgate building (Pearce, 2016) have demonstrated successes in the field. While biomimicry offers guidelines and methodology, there is insufficient research on complex problem solving that systems-thinking requires.
Our research question: Which factors are needed to help (novice) professionals initiate systems-thinking methods as part of their strategy? A solution should enable them to approach challenges in a systems-thinking manner just like nature does, to regenerate and resume projects.
Our focus lies with challenges in two industries with many unsustainable practices and where a sizeable impact is possible: the built environment (Circularity Gap, 2021) and fashion (Joung, 2014). Mission Zero has identified a high demand for Biomimicry in these industries.

This critical approach:
1) studies existing biomimetic tools, testing and defining gaps;
2) identifies needs of educators and professionals during and after an inter-disciplinary minor at The Hague University; and,
3) translates findings into shareable best practices through publications of results.

Findings will be implemented into tangible engaging tools for educational and professional settings. Knowledge will be inclusive and disseminated to large audiences by focusing on communication through social media and intervention conferences.