Biomimicry-inspired infill patterns like spirals and honeycombs in 3D-printed concrete walls cut energy use by up to 43% and improve thermal comfort compared to solid concrete.
Buildings are more than walls and roofs—they’re responsible for 38% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions! In hot tropical regions, concrete buildings trap heat, making air conditioning work overtime. Traditional construction isn’t helping much, but there’s a game-changer: 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP).
This technique, part of the broader field of additive manufacturing, allows us to “print” buildings layer by layer. Now, imagine if these printed walls could be inspired by nature’s smartest designs—like honeycombs 🐝, spiderwebs 🕸️, spirals 🌀, and woven nests 🪹. That’s exactly what researchers at Taylor’s University in Malaysia explored.
Their question: Can biomimicry make 3D-printed walls cooler and more energy-efficient than boring solid concrete?
Spoiler: Yes. And the results are fascinating.
The study investigated bioinspired infill patterns—the internal structures inside 3D-printed concrete walls. Instead of solid concrete or simple zig-zag (“sawtooth”) patterns, the team tested:
They compared these against:
Using advanced simulations (ANSYS for heat flow, Ladybug + Honeybee tools for energy modeling), they analyzed how well these walls could resist heat and cut energy use.
The researchers followed a three-step method:
From 24 natural designs, they shortlisted 4 that are printable, structurally strong, and thermally promising.
They created digital cube prototypes (200 × 200 × 200 mm) and simulated heat transfer between a hot tropical outside (40 °C) and a cool indoor space (22 °C).
They built a digital office room (3m × 3m × 3m) using each wall pattern and ran full-year energy consumption simulations for Kuala Lumpur’s climate.
The results were crystal clear: nature-inspired walls outperformed both solid concrete and sawtooth designs.
👉 Translation: Bioinspired walls cut heat flow almost in half compared to solid concrete!
When the team ran annual energy simulations, the differences were dramatic:
The spiral wall stood out again, followed by honeycomb, weaving, and spiderweb. These walls not only insulated better but also reduced cooling demands—critical in tropical climates where AC use dominates energy bills.
So, what’s the secret sauce? Nature already has an optimized structure.
These shapes aren’t just beautiful—they’re functional blueprints for efficiency.
Beyond thermal and energy efficiency, 3D printing with bioinspired patterns has other benefits:
This aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially for sustainable cities and infrastructure.
The research is just the beginning. Here’s where the field can grow:
This study proves that biomimicry + additive manufacturing = sustainable construction. By letting nature guide our 3D-printed designs, we can:
✅ Reduce building energy demand by up to 40%
✅ Use less material, lowering carbon footprint
✅ Improve indoor comfort in hot climates
✅ Push architecture into a new era of functional beauty
In short, the walls of the future might look less like plain concrete blocks and more like seashells, honeycombs, and spiderwebs. And that’s not just aesthetic—it’s survival-smart engineering.
The researchers sum it up well: bioinspired infill patterns are a breakthrough for 3D concrete printing. The spiral design was the star, but all natural patterns tested beat conventional methods.
By merging additive manufacturing with biomimicry, we’re not just printing walls—we’re printing smarter, cooler, and greener buildings.
So next time you see a seashell, a bee’s nest, or a spider’s web, remember: they might be the blueprint for your future home. 🏡🌿
🏗️ Additive Manufacturing - A fancy name for 3D printing—instead of cutting or molding, objects are built layer by layer, like stacking pancakes, but with materials such as plastic, metal, or even concrete. - More about this concept in the article "Real-Time Smart Manufacturing: How AI and Digital Twins Are Revolutionizing Additive Manufacturing 🏭 🤖".
🧱 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) - A type of additive manufacturing that uses special concrete mixtures as “ink” to print entire walls or even houses—faster, with less waste, and more design freedom than traditional construction. - More about this concept in the article "Transforming Cities with 3D Concrete Printing: Unlocking the Future of Sustainable Urban Development 🏙️".
🌿 Biomimicry - The art of copying designs available in nature to solve human problems—like imitating a honeycomb for lightweight strength or a seashell spiral for durability and cooling. - More about this concept in the article "How Biomimicry Boosts DC Motor Control 🦓⚡".
🏠 Building Envelope - The “skin” of a building—the walls, roof, windows, and doors that separate indoors from outdoors. It controls how heat, air, and energy move in and out of the building. - More about this concept in the article "Smart Skins for the Future: Frequency-Selective Surfaces Revolutionizing Buildings 🏠⚙️".
🌡️ Thermal Performance - How well a building keeps heat out (in hot climates) or keeps it in (in cold climates). Better thermal performance = less need for air conditioning or heating. - More about this concept in the article "Beating the Heat: How Cool Roof Coatings Can Save Cities from the Urban Heat Island Effect 🌆 ☀️".
⚡ Energy Efficiency - Doing more with less energy—for buildings, this means staying comfortable indoors while using fewer kilowatt-hours for cooling, heating, and lighting. - More about this concept in the article "Smarter EnergyPlus Simulations ⚡🏢".
🔢 U-Value (Thermal Transmittance) - A number that shows how easily heat passes through a wall. Lower U-value = better insulation = cooler indoors.
♻️ Sustainability - Designing and building in ways that reduce harm to the planet—using less energy, creating less waste, and cutting carbon emissions.
Source: Arumugam, G.; Kusumo, C.M.L.; Mari, T.S. Impact of Bioinspired Infill Pattern on the Thermal and Energy Efficiency of 3D Concrete Printed Building Envelope. Architecture 2025, 5, 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture5030077
From: Taylor’s University.
