ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 403

There are termites built underground and others above ground. There are also different shapes
of termite mounds. Each has a unique structure and a reason for its shape. What they share in
common is the materials used for building such magnificent and well-constructed mounds. The
termites use their mouth to transfer a mixture of soil and their spit. The muddy soil has great
advantages, which is dried by the air movement. It acts as breather or a lung that absorbs the air
outside of the mound through its cavities and small holes and transfers it into the mound as a
ventilation system (Haifig 2014).
Magnetic Termite Mounds
The magnetic termite nests located in Australia and the word ‘magnetic’ meaning it vertically
faces North and South. The reason why it is oriented in this direction is outstanding. The mounds
capture the evening sun by its flat surface facing East to West. Hansell (2007) explained that the
rising sun warms the flat surface while the western surface captured the sun set arrays. This ensures that the mounds keep a stable temperature of 33 to 34 degree Celsius until evening (Hansell
2007:45). However, this type of mounds are well known only for its shape.

Figure 1: Magnetic termite nests casting its long shadow on the land while capturing the sun to regulate its temperature (AT 2014)
Macrotermes Jeanneli Mounds
This selected termite mound in this study is the winner among multiple structures. It became as
our guide as a natural concept for its sustainability and creativity. The vertical African termites
could be considered as a small city divided into smaller communities within its mound. The colony is compacted with about million termites. There are multiple usages for every chamber and
there are reasons for every corner. All are guarded and protected by the massive walls from harsh
weathers. The mounds of the ants can reach a height of 3 or 4 meters (Hansell 2007:95). The Macrotermes Jeanneli is composed of as can be seen in Fig.2:

Sustainability in nature: lessons for yas island housing community in Abu Dhabi

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