Education / Media
Research reaches the next generation
Futurum features her adaptive-building research in educational resources for young people, reported by Open Polytechnic.
About Biomimicry NZ
Dr Negin Imani
Researcher in biomimetic architecture and building energy performance.
Founder of Biomimicry New Zealand.
Dr Negin Imani
Biological principles.
Architectural possibilities.
Exploring how buildings can learn from the ways living systems regulate heat and respond to their environment.
Negin's research connects architecture, biology and building science, with a focus on adaptive façades and energy-efficient design. Her PhD at Victoria University of Wellington developed the thermo-bio-architectural framework (ThBA), linking thermal challenges in buildings to relevant biological strategies.
She founded Biomimicry New Zealand in 2017 to support research, education and collaboration in nature-inspired building design. Through CO₃FutureLab, her work has brought together researchers across architecture, biology and building performance.
As principal investigator at Bodeker Scientific, she leads the 2025 MBIE Smart Ideas project investigating AI and additive manufacturing for biomimetic adaptive building façades.
Selected publicationsResearch, recognition & public conversation
A continuing enquiry.
Milestones and publications, newest first.
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Book / Co-editor
Biomimetic Adaptive Buildings
Co-edits the research collection with Brenda Vale and Derek Clements-Croome, bringing together work on responsive façades and living building systems.
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Preview publication: Editorial for Special Issue on Biomimetic Adaptive Buildings (2025)
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Research recognition
Research and rangahau excellence
Receives Open Polytechnic's award for excellence by an experienced researcher or research collaboration, recognising research and stakeholder engagement.
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Paper / Lead author
Biomimetic shading systems
Publishes collaborative research on motorised and moisture-responsive actuation for adaptive façades in Biomimetics.
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Research funding / Principal investigator
AI and additive manufacturing for adaptive façades
Named principal investigator on Bodeker Scientific's three-year MBIE Smart Ideas project, awarded $999,999 to investigate biomimetic building envelopes.
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Preview publication: Biomimetic Architecture: Exploring Adaptive Facades Inspired by Nature (2024)
Biomimetic Architecture: Exploring Adaptive Facades Inspired by Nature
Intelligent Buildings and Infrastructure with Sustainable and Social Values, Third edition
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Preview publication: Integrated Kinetic Fins for Western Facades in Territories with Low Solar Altitudes (2023)
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Award finalist / 2022 awards
Wellingtonian of the Year finalist
Named a finalist in the Environment category of the 2022 Wellys. Her university records the nomination in its March 2023 council report.
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Book / Co-editor
Biomimetic Buildings: Copying Nature for Energy Efficiency
Co-edits a collection with Brenda Vale examining nature-inspired approaches to reducing building energy use.
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Preview publication: Biomimetic Design for Building Energy Efficiency 2021 (2022)
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Preview publication: Developing a Method to Connect Thermal Physiology in Animals and Plants to the Design of Energy Efficient Buildings (2022)
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Public talk / TEDxPipitea
Bridging architecture and biology
Explores the possibilities of living buildings and biological adaptation in her TEDx talk, Biomimicry for Living Buildings.
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Award finalist
Future Thinker of the Year
Selected as a finalist in the New Zealand Green Building Council's award recognising emerging leadership in the built environment.
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Book / Co-author
Heating with Wolves, Cooling with Cacti
Co-authors the ThBA framework book with Brenda Vale, connecting biological thermal strategies with architectural design challenges.
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Paper / Co-author
A biomimetic design tool for building energy efficiency
Publishes the ThBA design-tool paper with Brenda Vale, linking building thermal challenges to biological solutions.
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Preview publication: A framework for finding inspiration in nature: Biomimetic energy efficient building design (2020)
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Doctoral research
PhD in Architecture
Completes doctoral research at Victoria University of Wellington, developing the thermo-bio-architectural framework for energy-efficient design.
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Preview publication: Thermal and Acoustic Building Insulations from Agricultural Wastes (2019)
Thermal and Acoustic Building Insulations from Agricultural Wastes
Handbook of Ecomaterials
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Preview publication: Bio-inspired Materials: Contribution of Biology to Energy Efficiency of Buildings (2019)
Bio-inspired Materials: Contribution of Biology to Energy Efficiency of Buildings
Handbook of Ecomaterials
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Preview publication: An Innovative, Hierarchical Energy Performance Data Visualization for Facilitating Recognition of Thermal Issues (2019)
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Preview publication: Biomimetic Technology and Nature Inspiration (2018)
Biomimetic Technology and Nature Inspiration
Naqshejahan: Basic Studies and New Technologies of Architecture and Planning
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Foundation
Biomimicry New Zealand is founded
Establishes a platform for research, education and collaboration in nature-inspired building design.
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Preview publication: Biomimicry as Innovation: A Systematic Review (2017)
Biomimicry as Innovation: A Systematic Review
Back to the Future: The Next 50 Years, 51st Architectural Science Association Conference
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Preview publication: Bio-Inspired Design Approach Analysis: A Case Study of Antoni Gaudi and Santiago Calatrava (2017)
Bio-Inspired Design Approach Analysis: A Case Study of Antoni Gaudi and Santiago Calatrava
International Journal of Architectural and Environmental Engineering