God and Nature 2026 #1
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By Kristen Siaw
When the cool autumn weather arrives in New England, we are treated to a breathtaking display of colorful leaves. Psalm 19:1 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (NIV). The stunning beauty of God's creation openly praises Him. As a scientist, I find that the more I study His creation, the more awe-inspiring it becomes, and the more I am inspired in my own work. As we look to creation, the complexity and beauty of the natural world is able to inspire a unique approach to art, architecture, technology and engineering, all of which fall under the category of bioinspired design. This essay will explore some of the faith connections to this exciting field.
The field of bioinspired design can be broadly broken into three distinct categories: biomorphism, bioutilization, and biomimetics (or biomimicry) (1). These three areas of bioinspired design all utilize aspects of nature, yet the end result of each is vastly different in both the application and the products that are produced.
Biomorphic design seeks to create objects that visually resemble elements from nature. The term biomorphic comes from the combination of the Greek words bios, meaning ‘life’, and morphe, meaning ‘form’. Biomorphism is most commonly seen in relation to art, architecture, and industrial design (2). The first appearance of the term in art is from 1935, when Geoffrey Grigson used it in reference to art that employed shapes reminiscent of nature and living organisms. An example is a sculpture created in the 1920s-1930s by Jean Arp, an artist whose works are known to be influenced by the natural world. The sculpture, titled Sculpture to be Lost in the Forest (Figure 1 (3)), is said to evoke worn pebbles, buds and other natural forms. Arp was known for placing his sculptures in the forest near his home at Meudon, a suburb of Paris, where they could be discovered by unsuspecting hikers.
When the cool autumn weather arrives in New England, we are treated to a breathtaking display of colorful leaves. Psalm 19:1 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (NIV). The stunning beauty of God's creation openly praises Him. As a scientist, I find that the more I study His creation, the more awe-inspiring it becomes, and the more I am inspired in my own work. As we look to creation, the complexity and beauty of the natural world is able to inspire a unique approach to art, architecture, technology and engineering, all of which fall under the category of bioinspired design. This essay will explore some of the faith connections to this exciting field.
The field of bioinspired design can be broadly broken into three distinct categories: biomorphism, bioutilization, and biomimetics (or biomimicry) (1). These three areas of bioinspired design all utilize aspects of nature, yet the end result of each is vastly different in both the application and the products that are produced.
Biomorphic design seeks to create objects that visually resemble elements from nature. The term biomorphic comes from the combination of the Greek words bios, meaning ‘life’, and morphe, meaning ‘form’. Biomorphism is most commonly seen in relation to art, architecture, and industrial design (2). The first appearance of the term in art is from 1935, when Geoffrey Grigson used it in reference to art that employed shapes reminiscent of nature and living organisms. An example is a sculpture created in the 1920s-1930s by Jean Arp, an artist whose works are known to be influenced by the natural world. The sculpture, titled Sculpture to be Lost in the Forest (Figure 1 (3)), is said to evoke worn pebbles, buds and other natural forms. Arp was known for placing his sculptures in the forest near his home at Meudon, a suburb of Paris, where they could be discovered by unsuspecting hikers.
Figure 1 Sculpture by Jean Arp titled “Sculpture to be Lost in the Forest”
(Source: www.tate.org.uk © DACS, 2021)
Biomorphism can also be seen in industrial design, as in the chairs of Arne Jacobsen such as Ant (1951), Egg (1957), and Swan (1957), created for the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and produced by Fritz Hansen (Figure 2 (4)). The beauty found in nature is a source of inspiration, whether it is the graceful curves of a swan or the unusual features of an ant.
Figure 2 Images of the chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen inspired by an egg (A), swan (B) and an ant (C). (Source: www.dwell.com)
One stunning example of biomorphism in architecture is the Sagrada Família, a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Barcelona, Spain. Its architect Antoni Gaudí found much of his inspiration in nature and was quoted as saying “Originality consists of returning to the origin” and “Everything comes from the great book of nature.” Gaudí believed that the best way to honor God was to derive designs inspired by nature. As Paul Fraser said, “Gaudí’s strong faith and religious background had taught him that God was perfect, and his creations within nature were an extension of that perfection. If one wanted to create a near-perfect piece of art or structure, then how could one better the form and styling of the natural world?” (5) The Sagrada Família features numerous design elements inspired by nature, which become apparent as you approach the building. The facades are designed to resemble bones of a skeleton, and the branching columns in the nave are designed to mimic the shapes of trees and branches (Figures 3 and 4 (6,7)). Inspired by his belief that nature reflected God's perfection, Gaudí would incorporate casts of real plants, animals, and even people into his sculptures.
Figure 3A: Exterior of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain showing an architectural design reminiscent of a skeleton
(Source: https://barcelonahacks.com). Figure 3B Interior nave with columns reminiscent of branching trees (Source: Temple Expiotori de la Sagrada Família).
While biomorphism utilizes the natural world for inspiration in design, bioutilization takes a different approach by directly using natural materials and organisms in practical applications. This area of bioinspired design harnesses the inherent properties of biological materials for real-world uses. A simple example is seen in the use of plants within a building to purify the air, as opposed to relying on air purification systems. Many companies have dedicated lines of indoor plants to meet this need (8). Bioutilization is also seen in the biofuels industry, where renewable resources such as algae are used in the production of new fuel sources (9), allowing for alternatives to fossil fuels.
Within the field of pharmacology, biologics are medicines that are derived from living organisms, a field that has grown tremendously in the last 25 years (10). Another area of bioutilization receiving intense interest is the use of natural resources with an emphasis on their positive environmental impacts. Ecovative Designs LLC uses fungal mycelium, the non-fruiting portion of mushrooms, to make environmentally friendly packing materials (Figure 4 (11)).
Within the field of pharmacology, biologics are medicines that are derived from living organisms, a field that has grown tremendously in the last 25 years (10). Another area of bioutilization receiving intense interest is the use of natural resources with an emphasis on their positive environmental impacts. Ecovative Designs LLC uses fungal mycelium, the non-fruiting portion of mushrooms, to make environmentally friendly packing materials (Figure 4 (11)).
Figure 4 Packaging material made from mushroom mycelium.
Source: https://ecovativedesign.com/
The third area of biologically inspired design, biomimetics—or biomimicry—looks to nature to guide new developments in the fields of materials science and engineering. What separates biomimetics from the other biologically inspired designs is that it seeks to make materials that function like nature, even if they do not look like the original natural source nor use natural components. While biomorphic designs aesthetically look like nature and bioutilization seeks to use nature in new technological fields, biomimetics uses the way natural systems work as the inspiration for new technologies. The bioinspired design can be incorporated into the chemical composition of the material, the method of fabrication, or even the 3-dimensional hierarchical structure of the material. As long as any aspect of a material is inspired by nature, it can be classified as a biomimetic material.
Biomimetic materials and technologies that derive their inspiration from the beautiful and incredible design of the natural world are too numerous to describe. One such example is the leaf of the lotus plant. It has long been observed that the leaf of the lotus remains remarkably clean and dry, even in muddy ponds. This self-cleaning nature of lotus and the phenomenon behind it is referred to as the lotus effect. The lotus effect is a result of ultrahydrophobicity, where water is unable to wet the surface of the material (Figure 6). The wetting refers to the ability of a liquid to spread and adhere to the surface of a material.
Figure 5: Drops of water on a lotus leaf showing the ultrahydrophobic surface
Wettability is a balancing act between the surface tension of the liquid and adhesion forces between the liquid and surface. When the contact forces between a liquid and surface are low, the surface tension forces are greater, and the liquid remains spherical. Lotus leaves, and other materials with the lotus effect, are found to have a hierarchical 3-dimensional structure as well as hydrophobic surfaces. The hierarchical structure and waxy coating lower the surface interaction as the surface tension forces dominate the water droplet with little to no adhesion forces between the liquid and the solid surface. As the water drop has no attractive forces between it and the surface of the lotus leaf, it will easily roll off the leaf, and, in the process, remove dirt and dust from the surface of the leaf, cleaning the plant (12).
The 3-dimensional structure of the lotus leaf and the ultrahydrophobic properties it possesses have inspired the creation of new materials with similar self-cleaning effects. The applications are enormous, ranging from paints, coatings, roof tiles, packaging, and even fabrics. Stain- and moisture-resistant clothing have been developed where the microstructure of the textile fibers leads to poor wettability of liquids on the surface (13,14). By maintaining a tight weave and an additional coating, a water droplet is unable to penetrate the fabric and thus would roll of the surface, leaving the material unstained and with the ability to remove dust and dirt in the process (14) (Figure 6 (15)). We see from this example that the biomimetic materials that are produced do not resemble their biological inspiration, yet it is through understanding the natural world and how it works that these materials have their inspiration.
Through all these bioinspired processes and materials, we see one common theme: the utilization of nature as inspiration for novel materials and designs. Biomimicry becomes even more incredible when we recognize the creator and source of our inspirational materials and organisms. As Christians, we can explore biomaterials with a greater depth, understanding, and excitement, knowing that we are exploring God’s creation. Colossians 1:16 tells us: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
Figure 6 SEM micrograph of the superhydrophobic textile coated with ZnO
In Romans 1:20, Paul tells us that God has revealed himself in nature “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” From the beginning of creation, attributes of God are evident, and it is through his creation that we see more of who God is. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), known for his foundational work on astronomy and planetary motion, is often attributed as saying “I was merely thinking God’s thoughts after Him. Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God.” Whether Kepler said these exact words or not (their source has not been found), they state an important truth: as scientists explore the natural world and determine how it functions, we are examining the thoughts of God. We do this not for our own glory but to glorify God.
The deeper we explore the natural world around us, the more we learn about God and the more we can delight in his creation. This is especially true for the field of biomimetics, where innovative technology and new materials are made using biological processes as their inspiration. In His wisdom, God has made all things, from the animals and plants that we see around us to the complex biomineralization process that results in materials with incredible function. How marvelous is it that we can study his creation and get a glimpse of God’s wisdom in the process! God’s designs are the best designs, and His materials are the best materials, certainly worth exploring through bio-inspired designs of our own.
References
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2. Pathak, S. Biomimicry: (Innovation Inspired by Nature). Int. J. New Technol. Res. 5, (2019).
3. Sculpture to be Lost in the Forest, Jean Arp, 1932, cast c.1953-8 | Tate ImagesTate Images. Tate Images https://www.tate-images.com/preview.asp?image=T04854.
4. Daly, S. 17 Arne Jacobsen Designs We Love. Dwell https://www.dwell.com/article/arne-jacobsen-designs-53795e4d (2018).
5. La Sagrada Familia: Antoni Gaudi’s Tribute to His Faith | Highbrow Magazine. https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1145-barcelonas-la-sagrada-familia-how-antoni-gaudi-paid-tribute-his-faith.
6. La Sagrada Familia by Jordi Faulî and Anoche | 2014-05-16 | Architectural Record. https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7694-la-sagrada-familia-by-jordi-faul%C3%AE-and-anoche.
7. La Sagrada Familia: Barcelona’s Famous Church Visit Guide 🔥. https://barcelonahacks.com/sagrada-familia/ (2025).
8. p-themes. Air Purifying Indoor Plants. Hicks Nurseries https://shop.hicksnurseries.com/collections/air-purifying-indoor-plants.
9. Abdullah, M. et al. Advancements in sustainable production of biofuel by microalgae: Recent insights and future directions. Environ. Res. 262, 119902 (2024).
10. 25 years of biologic therapy. Nature https://www.nature.com/collections/ceabbcjjhf (2023).
11. Mushroom Packaging. Mushroom Packaging https://mushroompackaging.com/.
12. Yamamoto, M. et al. Theoretical Explanation of the Lotus Effect: Superhydrophobic Property Changes by Removal of Nanostructures from the Surface of a Lotus Leaf. Langmuir ACS J. Surf. Colloids 31, 7355–7363 (2015).
13. Wei, D. W. et al. Superhydrophobic modification of cellulose and cotton textiles: Methodologies and applications. J. Bioresour. Bioprod. 5, 1–15 (2020).
14. A Review on Development and Applications of Bio-Inspired Superhydrophobic Textiles. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/9/11/892.
15. Duta, L. et al. Wettability of Nanostructured Surfaces. in Wetting and Wettability (IntechOpen, 2015). doi:10.5772/60808.
Kristen Siaw is an assistant professor at Gordon College teaching in the chemistry and physics programs. Her research area is in the field of biomimetics, where she uses small peptides to modify crystal growth.