The role of anatomical and ecological analogies in animal architectural design method (where animal architecture stands)

As a branch of organic architecture or the architecture inspired by nature, animal architecture has been considered as one of the common architectural design methods. The main goal of this paper is to determine the position of this architecture among architectural methods and the way these methods overlap. The research concludes that animal architecture has remarkable similarities with some design methods specifically the methods known as analogy, metaphor, biomorphic and organi-tech. Moreover, it may identify formal anatomical analogy between animals (bodies or habitats) and architectural projects. Furthermore, animals, as animate and motile natural phenomena, may also provide ecological analogies in architectural design which produce more applicable and conceptual solutions. Those, therefore; function more than mere visual images in design thinking.