Ep 7 How Nature Moves Air Passively

Discover the secret to the Swiss Re Building (nicknamed the Gherkin) in London of how to significantly reduce wind drag by learning from ocean sponges. Function: Move air passively Biological model: Venus’ flower basket sponge Engineering translation: 30 St Mary Axe / the Gherkin Sources / further reading • Adrian, B. 2001. Shape and Structure, From Engineering to Nature. Entropy. International and Interdisciplinary Journal of Entropy and Information Studies. 3:10:3390/e3050293.https://share.google/qYRGxubisZaDMYany• Foster + Partners. Environmental strategy for 30 St Mary Axe. 2004. https://share.google/v4TSidaU65MZQ29b4• Pawlyn M. Biomimicry in Architecture. RIBA Publishing; 2011. https://share.google/fzrZ0OefoK2lfLZAVImage credits• Sponge with crab, NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition via Wikipedia • 30 St Mary’s Axe building full view via Wikimedia Written and produced by Melanie Farmer. Podcast: Wild engineers. For learning and inspiration. Music and production completed in Movavi 2026. Please validate any design application for technical use.