To be published in New Scientist on February 22, this article by Philip Ball (well known for his books about science and culture) speaks about the principles underlying nest construction in insects and how they can be a source of inspiration in modern architecture. This article follows a recent workshop on this subject ("From Insect Nests to Human Architecture", see the official website or my post about it) that held last September in Venice, Italy. Hereafter is the introduction of this article:

In the heart of Africa's savannah lies a city that is a model of sustainable development. Its buttressed towers are built entirely from natural, biodegradable materials. Its inhabitants live and work in quarters that are air-conditioned and humidity-regulated, without consuming a single watt of electricity. Water comes from wells that dip deep into the earth, and food is cultivated self-sufficiently in gardens within its walls. This metropolis is not just eco-friendly: with its curved walls and graceful arches, it is rather beautiful too.

This is no human city, of course. It is a termite mound.

To read the rest of this article, click here: For sustainable architecture, think bug – life – 22 February 2010 – New Scientist.