Years ago during my BSc in Product Design, I was taught a valuable mantra: “To innovate, you must first observe.” Although my career path has veered from the traditional contours of design, this doctrine resonates with me daily, reminding me of the profound lessons from my academic days.

One of the initial encounters with biomimicry that left an indelible mark on me was a Ted talk by architect Mick Pearce. This revelation came in an unexpected setting: on a golf course.

Pearce was struck by the architectural marvel of termite mounds. This profound inspiration led him to design Zimbabwe’s Eastgate Centre. Much like termite mounds, which maintain a consistent internal climate despite external temperature variations, the Eastgate Centre harnesses passive cooling techniques. Remarkably, the building uses 90 per cent natural climate-control systems to regulate its temperature, consuming 35 per cent less energy than other buildings of its size in Zimbabwe. It stands not just as a structure, but as a beacon of sustainable design in the modern world.

Another marvel sourced from nature is the intricate design of the humpback whale’s fin. The US Naval Academy’s research revealed that emulating these fins can lead to a significant reduction of drag by 33 per cent and an elevation of lift by 8 per cent. This discovery was not lost on Whale Power, a progressive Canadian enterprise. The company incorporated this knowledge into its wind turbines, witnessing some models outperform traditional designs by more than 40 per cent. This humpback-inspired innovation has the potential to transform various aerodynamic applications — from fans to aircraft and even surfboards.

Yet, not all nature-inspired designs are as conspicuous as whale fins or termite mounds. Consider Velcro, an innovation we often take for granted. Velcro’s story began in 1941 when George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, returned from a hunting trip to find burrs from the burdock plant clinging to his dog’s fur. Intrigued by the mechanics of these tiny hooks and loops, Mestral envisioned their potential as garment fasteners. The outcome? Velcro, an invention that has since woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives.

Japan’s intricate rail system mirrors surprising natural design techniques, as demonstrated by a unique experiment with the brainless slime mould, Physarum polycephalum. When faced with oat flakes arranged like Tokyo’s surrounding cities, the slime mould formed nutrient-distributing tubes strikingly similar to Tokyo’s rail layout. Without any central decision-making ability, the mould began with a dense meshwork that refined over time, prioritising the most useful connections.

Researchers from Japan and England transformed these observations into a mathematical model, suggesting this nature-inspired approach might benefit adaptable network designs. Such designs can be applied to early-warning sensor systems or help to understand how tumours refine their blood-vessel networks. This underpins the potential of biomimicry, where nature’s strategies can inspire innovative solutions in human challenges.

Reflecting on these instances, I appreciate how nature’s wisdom permeates my work and world view. From termite mounds to the unassuming burdock plant, each offers a unique lesson in design. They collectively emphasise that our surroundings, no matter how mundane or magnificent, contain an inexhaustible trove of inspirations. Nature continues to challenge our perceptions, inviting us to seek brilliance in the seemingly ordinary, ensuring that the next groundbreaking design is merely an observation away.

• Christian Chin-Gurret is a Bermudian writer with a Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Science in Product Design, who offers a unique perspective on shaping the future of business through innovation, disruption and technology. He can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianchingurret/