News

6 July, 2026

Dr. Negin Imani's work was picked up by Futurum to profile her biomimetic buildings project. The hope is that these articles will inspire young people who might be considering a career at the intersection of the built environment and climate science. 

We've built solid foundations in both climate science and the built environment. Each field is strong on its own, yet too often they advance in parallel rather than in concert. The next essential step is to merge that knowledge, integrating climate intelligence into the design and operation of the built environment from the ground up, so our buildings and infrastructure don't just withstand a changing climate, but actively respond to it, serving people and planet more effectively. 

The Biomimetic Buildings project, led by Dr. Imani, is one such effort, bringing together climate scientists and built environment professionals to design buildings that reduce energy use and maintain occupant comfort under changing climate and weather conditions. As a joint initiative between Dr. Negin Imani's Biomimetic Buildings project and Bodeker Scientific, the team is building a community of researchers and practitioners working where climate science and the built environment meet, developing best practices for interdisciplinary research. If you're interested in joining this growing community, please don't hesitate to contact Negin.

Inspired by how plant leaves use stomata to regulate heat and moisture, Dr. Imani and her team have developed a smart shading system that responds automatically to environmental conditions. The design combines AI-controlled rotating panels with4D-printed materials that change shape in response to humidity, creating facades that react in real time while using minimal energy. The long-term goal is to develop adaptive facades that are affordable, durable and practical for everyday buildings, helping to improve both energy efficiency and occupant comfort.  

Links to Futurum's article can be found here.

8 June 2026

The leader of the Biomimetic Buildings project, Dr Negin Imani, has recently co-authored a new book exploring how nature-inspired design can improve building performance and sustainability.

Biomimetic Adaptive Buildings, published by MDPI Books, draws on Negin's research into biomimetics',  the use of nature-inspired principles to human challenges. The book explores adaptive façades, smart bio-based materials and emerging technologies that allow buildings to respond more efficiently to changing environmental conditions.

This book has been in development for over a year, and the collaborative publication brings together international researchers, as well as industry experts, linking theory with practical applications for the built environment.

Based in Wellington, Negin has taught at Open Polytechnic for four years across Architectural Technology, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying programmes. Negin has a background in architectural engineering and around a decade of industry experience. 

"My work focuses on building performance, adaptive façade systems, and the integration of emerging technologies, including AI, smart materials and advanced fabrication, into the building envelope,” Negin says. 

Negin also serves on Open Polytechnic’s Academic Board and Research Ethics Committee and is a Senior Research Fellow at Bodeker Scientific.