Mountain Notes by Mischa Ko

Today we will explore what revelations we may realize when inspired by nature.

As John Muir stated, “In every walk with nature, one often receives far more than he seeks. When we are silent, we may listen, observe and learn.“

Many of our greatest innovations and inventions have been influenced by nature because nobody does it better than Nature.

One afternoon in 1941, while walking his dog, George Mestral noticed his clothing and his dog’s coat covered in hooked burr seeds. Noting how the hook seeds attached tightly to his clothing, he took inspiration from the structure of the seed and invented velcro.

It’s funny how something seemingly annoying and frustrating like pulling seeds from your clothes may give birth to such a helpful idea. Even the things that annoy us, can also empower us.

Biomimicry is the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems.

The world is filled with examples of humans being inspired by natural designs and the application of biomimicry.

When looking at nature, for example, it’s very uncommon to find right angles. Corners cause a lot of turbulence and generally are very inefficient in nature.

When we can integrate a more mindful and flowing design, modeling the soft curves of nature, our frequency shifts allowing us to work with elements, not against them.

Located in Chiang Mai, the Panyaden International School is a prime example of taking inspiration from and being in harmony with nature.

The impressive lotus flower design of Panyaden’s sports hall reflects the school’s practices of infusing Buddhist values into its academic curriculum.

The innovative structure consists mainly of treated bamboo, making the carbon footprint of the structure zero while having a lifespan of at least fifty years. The large curved open-air design utilizes natural airflow to cool the space without AC effectively.

Even the walls of the classrooms are built using earth and clay. They are better at regulating heat than concrete walls and are natural noise insulators. They make for a functionally superior and longer-lasting structure.

By building classrooms made with sustainable local materials we have created a natural environment for kids to learn about the environment and sustainability in a meaningful way.