The Eastgate Centre. [Photo from Wikimedia commons.] The building is made from concrete slabs and bricks. Just like the soil inside the termite mound, these materials have high “thermal mass” — which means they can absorb a lot of heat without really changing temperature.

What was the natural inspiration for the Eastgate Center in Zimbabwe?

Termite Mounds
29 thoughts on “BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE: Green Building in Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds” […] Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe has no conventional air-conditioning or cooling; it is built with large chimneys that naturally draw in cool air at night.

How are the Eastgate Centre and a termite mound similar?

The Eastgate Centre. [Photo from Wikimedia commons.] The building is made from concrete slabs and bricks. Just like the soil inside the termite mound, these materials have high “thermal mass” — which means they can absorb a lot of heat without really changing temperature.

How does Eastgate building work?

During day: machines and people generate heat, and the sun shines. Heat is absorbed by the fabric of the building, which has a high heat capacity, so that the temperature inside increases but not greatly.

When was the Eastgate mall built?

The Eastgate Shopping centre opened in phases between 1980 and 1985. Phase 2 was built between 1982-5 by John Laing plc. At the time this photo was taken it was the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe.

How do termites cool their mounds?

Termites regulate the temperature of their nests by controlling the flow of air through them.

How do African termites keep their mounds cool?

Six feet below ground level is the cellar. It’s the coolest part of the structure. Its ceiling is comprised of a series of thin plates that absorb moisture from the colony above and provide another ingenious cooling mechanism. As the moisture evaporates, the temperature falls, cooling the air around the nest.

Do termites like AC?

Termites thrive in moist and wet areas, so it isn’t a surprise that the water dripping from your AC can cause termite infestation. Since air conditioners generate gallons per day, the water waste is dumped just close to the external unit; which means wet soil that is ideal for termites to inhabit is brewing close.

What innovative building design was inspired by termites?

While subsequent research on termite mounds has altered our understanding of the function of mound structures, the Eastgate Centre still achieves a controlled internal climate with the help of cost-effective and energy-efficient mechanisms originally inspired by termite mounds. used in the Eastgate building in Harare.

How much did it cost to build Eastgate Mall?

In 1976, the projected cost of Eastgate was R40 million, which had escalated to R50 million by 1979 (one thing that hasn’t changed in 40 years is the fact that estimates and actuals seldom pair up once the concrete has set).

Who bought Eastgate Mall?

Kroger
Pictured is the Sears in Eastgate, which closed at the end of 2019 and was bought for $5.5 million by Kroger on July 19, 2021. Photo provided.

Where is the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe?

Schematic of the natural ventilation of the building The Eastgate Centre is a shopping centre and office block in central Harare, Zimbabwe, designed by Mick Pearce. Designed to be ventilated and cooled by entirely natural means, it was probably the first building in the world to use natural cooling to this level of sophistication.

Does Eastgate Centre in Harare have air conditioning?

Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe has no conventional air-conditioning or cooling; it is built with large chimneys that naturally draw in cool air at night.

Who is the architect of Eastgate Centre Harare?

The Eastgate Centre is a shopping centre and office block in central Harare, Zimbabwe whose architect is Mick Pearce.

How is the Eastgate Centre heated and cooled?

The Eastgate Centre, largely made of concrete, has a ventilation system which operates in a similar way. Outside air that is drawn in is either warmed or cooled by the building mass depending on which is hotter, the building concrete or the air.