Trees, plants and flowers are all around us and we enjoy their beauty every day. We are so used to them that we may even take them for granted without realising how much inspiration they have given us. In fact, nature has inspired many of the most fascinating designs around us. 【小题1】

People who are interested in exploring the relationship between art and science will enjoy Singapore’s ArtScience Museum. Shaped like a lotus flower, it appears to float above the waterfront promenade(滨海步道) with the water surrounding it. Its roof collects rainwater and channels it 35 metres down to a waterfall in the centre of the space. 【小题2】 Visitors are often amazed to find themselves in an urban building that so truly captures the beauty of natural forms.

Based on the form and process of termite(白蚁) mounds(土堆), Harare’s Eastgate Centre is a superb example of biomimicry(仿生学). It has a “skin” covered in holes. 【小题3】 At night, the heat absorbed by the wall during the day warms the cool air, creating a suitable temperature so that people can stay inside comfortably. The design reduces the need for traditional air conditioning and heating systems, saving a lot of energy and costs.

【小题4】 The surface of the apartment building is covered in panels that contain algae. The panels can capture heat from the sun and convert it into energy that powers the building. And that’s not all — the algae inside the panels can be harvested and used to produce fuel. Therefore, the building not only uses less energy, but also reduces damage to the environment.

Great buildings like these enables us to live in closer harmony with nature. 【小题5】 It may be challenging to meet the needs of today while protecting the world of tomorrow, but even the simplest organisms can help teach us how to achieve this.