Course of nature

Chapter 1

Biomimicry with Petra Gruber

Petra Gruber, an architect who works at the Biomimicry Research Innovation Center at the University of Akron, explains some of the ideas that underpin the concept.

Chapter 2

Lessons from the natural world

Architecture may seem like a discipline preoccupied with sheltering us from the elements but the built environment could learn a few lessons from the natural world. We speak to two architects who are leading the charge to find out how the industry is taking inspiration from nature.

Chapter 3

Tangible Media Group

At the MIT a team known as the Tangible Media Group is sweating over a new technology and it’s not just scientists who are seeing potential in it – it’s sportswear brands too.

Chapter 4

Rome’s Olympic Village

Rome hosted the Olympic Games in 1960 and created a showpiece complex of apartment buildings that would act as a purpose-built Olympic Village. It would also form a new residential district after the athletes had dismounted their rostrums, packed their medals and headed home. More than half a century later, we find out whether it has lived up to its promise.