Dr.

Doaa Attia Biomimicry In Eco – Sustainable Interior Design: Natural Ventilation Approach

Biomimicry In Eco – Sustainable Interior Design: Natural Ventilation Approach

Doaa Ismail Ismail Attia

Lecturer of Interior Design and Furniture, Faculty of Applied Arts, Benha University

Abstract:
Nowadays the biomimicry solutions for interior design problems is an obligation Keywords:
rather than a wish to satisfy human needs and quality of human life . In this research - interior design ,
study , biomimicry technology is used to formulate a “breathing window” model to - biomimicry design,
enhance the natural ventilation as a way of curing the ecological and sustainable
- eco-interior design ,
balance by providing social , culture, environment, and economic progress.
The proposed model is based on using the biomimicry approach; “designs looking - natural ventilation ,
to biology” to emulate the structure form and function task for chosen natural - sustainability ,
organisms; Human nose, Bee’s honey comb, and Cacti cooling plant. This - renewable energy ,
emulation can be actuated through using different natural phenomena’s: evaporative - Breathing Window
cooling, shading, and changing light to heat, which natural organisms used to adapt
themself to the surrounding climate. The “Breathing Window” consists of steps
with specific feature and task. In summer: increases shade , reduce heat gain around
and on window by reflecting direct sunrays then , cool and filter air flow passing
through window using evaporative –cooling phenomena. In winter; it filter air,
permits direct sunrays to pass through window, spreading light and heat, in the far
interior environment .
The “Breathing Window” adding to cooling interior air in summer and warming it
in winter ,filter air from micro particles and dust , maintain the aesthetic design
appearance , reduce: used material , energy , weight ,pollution and cost ,also easy to
clean ,well-being of occupant ,and rating sustainability in interior environment .

Paper received 25th of January 2015, Accepted 12th of February 2015 Published 1st of April 2015
Introduction achieved by enhancing natural ventilation in the
Natural organisms interact with the environment interior environment by reformulating a new
in a successful and sustainable way, without proposed model for “Breathing Window” :that
depleting natural resources or polluting the emulate the human nose which modulates the air
environment . They designed highly efficient before entering to bronchi by cooling it in summer
biological systems that can adapt themselves to the and warming it in winter . This modulation
surrounding environmental conditions in order to process can be actuated through mimicking:
overcome different challenges . structure form, process and functional task of the
Biomimicry has the purpose of designing to human nose, the bee’s honey comb and the
emulate and integrate with natural systems when cooling cacti plant. Different ways that natural
planning for a human design with the aim of organisms used for self adaptation with the
reducing : energy , material , weight , cost and surrounding environment as: evaporative cooling ,
pollution. Interior design tried to imitate nature to shading , and converting light to heat (fiber optic
enhance and improve its capabilities. It started )are also considered
with imitating figures, forms and structures . It The idea of modulating atmospheric air before
was until the end of the 20th century, when it entering to the interior environment through
became possible to imitate nature’s process, windows by evaporative –cooling phenomena was
function and ecosystems in designs .(10) first introduced by ancient Egyptians(1300B.c)
The research paper, tries to benefit from the ,then during the Islamic era (12) and later by the
avaibility of biological information about some architecture “Hassan Fathy” in the “Breathing
chosen natural organisms which give us ideas, in Wall”,(1986)(3), and by Nottingham university in
order to emulate its design solutions by looking at using “modular porous Ceramic cuboids” , (2004 )
its form ,structure, material ,process and function , (12). Nowadays the green –facades systems are
to create optimal restorative solution to solve one new techniques using evaporative –cooling
of the important challenges in ecological interior phenomena to decrease thermal effect (17)
design, that is thermal comfort. This can be Research problem:

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- In closed buildings as: work places, education forces. For example ; the structure form of the
places, hospitals, people habitations ..etc ,which moving organism is often tailored in curvilinear
are mechanically ventilated ,people feel locked up form to maximize efficiency to resist
and suffer from the sick building syndrome. environmental stresses with the minimum amount
These complaints are sufficiently remedied by the of mobile energy .fig(2,3, 4)(6)
opening of windows.
- The amount of electricity and energy used for air
conditioning is huge .
- Increasing environmental pollutants due to
burning out coal or gas to run the air conditioners.
Object of research:
To find a Biomimicry sustainable eco- interior ( Fig 2) ( Fig 3) ( Fig 4)
design solution to enhance the efficiency of (Fig 2,3,4) Dissipation of forces through
natural ventilation in interior environments with curvilinear structure form.
minimum usage of material, energy consumption,
pollution and cost, to obtain good health impact on
the human body.
Research methodology:
The research follows the analytic, descriptive
method to acknowledge the elements of the
research problem in trial to find a design solution
for it.
1- Natural Organisms Structure Forms (Fig 5) Stress and strain for efficiency
a- Fundamentals of structure forms for of structural form of leaf.
natural organisms; • Usage of stress and strain as a base for
• Creation of maximum strength with efficiency of structural form :
minimum input material: Final structural forms for natural organisms are
Nature employs a relatively small amount of dependent on varying rates of growth and the
materials in its assemblies as compared to human product of its response to the environment and the
constructions. However, through unique properties of the material used, as well as the
configurations of these simple materials ,nature is genetics that define the growth template while
able to create structure that out perform many stresses are acting on and within the organism
man-made structures (6). For example ,bones, in structure form (Fig 5) (6)
natural organism, shows variation in their cross- b- Basic geometric structural forms for
section all over their length, to deposit the material organisms in nature:
where it is most needed . In addition, cross- The structural forms for natural organisms and
linking of the fibers in the bone contribute to the their shelters are composed of a set of basic
increase in strength without a corresponding geometric forms where each organism uses them
increase in weight or material (Fig1).(6) in different proportions and complex ways(Fig 6) .
For example : Curvature form; skulls , birds ,
bird nest cactus, Columns, tubular , Cylindrical
form: tree trunks , long bones , Corrugated form:
scallop shells, cacti plant, leaves of some plants ,
Parabolic forms, pine apple , cactus plant ,
Tension membranace forms: silkworms webs,
spider webs , bell form : bee ‘s honeycomb as
(Fig 1): creation of maximum strength with well as Spirals form : heart of sunflowers, shells .
minimum input material in human bones. (14)
• Dissipation of multidirectional forces
through curvilinear structure forms
The use of curvilinear structure forms in the
natural organism requires less input of materials
and thus reduction of weight . It also has the Cacti plant scallop shells Shell
ability to absorb and dissipate multidirectional Fig 6a

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Dr. Doaa Attia Biomimicry In Eco – Sustainable Interior Design: Natural Ventilation Approach

energy , with maximum storage places , minimum

weight and least cost. (14)
2- Biomimicry in interior design and furniture:
a- Principles of biomimicry
The principles of biomimicry are those of nature
inspiration:
sun flower pine cone Bee’s honey Nature; runs on sunlight ,uses only the energy and
Comb resources that it needs , always fits form to
Fig 6b function, recycles and finds uses for everything,
reward cooperation, depends on and develops
diversity, requires local expertise and resources ,
avoids internal excesses, taps into the power of
limits (4)
b- Biomimicry as model ,measure and
leaf of plant skull Cactus plant mentor
Fig 6c Model : studies nature’s models and emulates their
(Fig 6) Different geometrical structural forms for designs and processes to solve human problems.
natural organisms. Measure: uses the laws of nature, its strategies
and principles as a standard to judge the
c-Characteristics of natural structure forms: “rightness” of our innovations . Mentor; is a new
In general they are characterized by being Strong, way of viewing and evaluating nature, based on
flexible, aesthetic, using minimum amount of what we can learn from it not on what we can
material stable against forces, least construct extract from it. (4)
c- Biomimicry design spiral;

(Fig 7) Biomimicry design spiral. (4)

d- Benefits of biomimicry in design; “Biology influencing design” which demands
It helps to create processes that are inherently scientific analysis of biological system, so it needs
more sustainable , perform better, use less energy , a cooperation between biologists and designers”,
eliminate waste, reduce material , minimum or “Designs looking to biology” which deals with
weight and cost, also create new and efficient creating new designs by looking to the biological
products .(4) behavior , structure form and function of natural
e- Biomimicry in design process : organism and ecosystem in order to study how
Biomimicry as a design process is divided they overcome the same problem that designers
scientifically into two approaches; faced in their designs.(11)

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Within these two approaches ,designs could be least effort to maintain their tendency in a
biomimetic in terms of three possible dimensions : triangular order (minimum energy configuration)
first; physical components (form-what it looks (8) (Fig 10) . Therefore, the circle packing forms
like, material-what it is made out of ,structure- cannot be considered as the most economical
how it is made . Second; function – what is able system, since by considering the concave
to do and process – how it works . Third ; triangles , forming hexagons this become the most
ecosystem. Most of the existing design examples economical method for partitioning a surface into
are related to: form, structure , material and in a equal units area (Fig 12). For any lattice array,
lesser extent to functional tasks , while it is either random or uniform openings , it can be
difficult to find design examples in ecosystem(10). considered that the openings will be organized
f- Optimal natural structure forms used in according to a triangular order and so the law of
interior design : stability for the closest packing and triangulation
In what follows, we consider optimal structure can be seen .(Fig 11)
forms with minimum input material and maximum
strength and are the most interesting to mimic
from nature to interior design and furniture.
• lattice structure form
A set of grouped opening which are covering a
Fig 12a The lattice structure form for hexagonal,
surface , provide a structure form with high
has minimum area, minimum material , no loss in
strength , light weight, resistant to both tensile and
area .Hexagonal perimeter=18cm.
compressive forces. then allow flexibility and
beauty ,also inherent stability . (Fig 8) Ex: a plant
(Fig 9), inside our bones (Fig 1) , hexagonal
bee’s honeycomb, (fig 6)

Fig 12b The lattice structure form for circles

minimum, area , minimum material, exist loss in
area. Circles perimeter =17.1cm

(Fig 8) lattic structure (Fig 9) lattic structure Fig 12c The lattice structure form for rectangles
form form for a plant . ,no loss in area , has large areas, use large
amount of material. rectangular Perimeter
=19,7cm
(Fig 12) Comparison between the different in
lattice structure form : area, unused space and
quantity of materials used .(9)

Fig 10: Triangulation Fig 11: Triangulation

of two-dimensional of random bubbles
closest packed arrays. viewed from above
The closest arrangement with equal spheres is chair banket
equivalent to that equilateral triangular
arrangement formed by joining the centers of
spheres . The latter exhibits inherent geometric
stability so is for closest arrangement with
spheres. (Fig 10). If the circles are tightly packed
as densely as possible with small concave triangles
formed between circles , which match the least wall in a shop chair
area with the greatest circumference . Therefore , (Fig 13) Different styles of interior design and
this would be the arrangement which requires the furniture’

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• Cross and parallel-linked structure Minimal investment of material and weight

form : that provides a maximum strength. Ex. :the
bone in the human leg (Fig 1 ), the bird nest.
s works using lattice structure form.

chair ceiling chair Table

books shelf .
(Fig 14) Different style of interior design and furniture using the concept of cross and paralle -linked
structure form
• Curvature structure form:
Living organisms that have curvature in their
bodies structure forms to reduce enormous
tension forces , makes it possible for the loads
to be supported with the least amount of:
effort, material, cost , weight, and cracks will
also be easily dealt with . Ex. : the bones in
our bodies, the forking of branches in trees wo tables designed using
(Fig 15) and the shells(Fig 4) the curvature structure form.

A stair designed using the curvature,

lattice openings, and cross-linked structure form
curvature in our pelvis

A design for ceiling and wall joined together by a

curvature structure form .
curvature in forking of trees bra (Fig 16)Different styles of interior design and
(Fig 15) Curvature structure form in nature. furniture works using curvature structure form.

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• Pleats or Veins structure form : effective thickness with only a little extra
For flat with light surfaces, the introduction of a investment of material and weight. (14)
set of pleats or veins running through the direction Ex: The veins in the structure form of the wing of
in which bending is expected, increases the an insect and plant leaf also the pleats in palm’s
leaf structure form.(Fig 17)

Veins in plants Veins in wings of Pleats in the palm’s leaf.

insects
(Fig 17) the pleats or veins structure form existed in different natural organisms .

(Fig 18) some ceilings designed by using the pleats or veins structure form.

• Iterative structure form:

Essential light weight shape that can be iterated such that each one of these iteration will be similar to the
original shape and getting more smaller in size. (Fig 19)

(Fig 19) some interior designs and furniture based on iterative structure forms.
• The golden spiral structure form:
The golden spiral structure form is based on satisfying the golden ratio 1:1.618 which is widely found in
nature as in sun flower , shell .(Fig 20)

golden spiral structure form sun flower heat. shell

(Fig 20) natural organisms have a golden spiral structure forms.

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(Fig 21) some interior design and furniture based

3-The ”Breathing Window”: substance to cool hot air in summer , while
The research work of “Breathing Window” using blood capillaries to warm cool air in
follows the Biomimicry approach “ designs winter.
looking to biology” which is emulating the nature - Filter the atmospheric air before passing
by looking to its form, structure, material, process
further into the respiratory system by
and function to learn how natural system can
overcome the same design problem.
preventing entry of foreign micro particles
a-Method of design solution : using the mucous membrane and cilia.
The method of design solution we consider
depends on the following steps;
-Search one or more of natural organism which we
believe that it include the ideas leading to the
solution of our interior design problem.
- Study its form , structure and material to know
its process and function.
- Thinking of the role of this organism in
improving our interior design problem.
- Solve our problem by building a process which
depends on the ideas we convince about the form , Front view of external nose.
structure, material as well as the process of the
natural organism.
- Define the initial study to include more complex
detailing of components and connections to create
a solution for the interior design problem with
maximum benefits and minimum material , energy
, cost and pollution.
b-Factors that natural organisms depend on to
adjust its thermal system:
(i) Structure form and functional task for the
chosen organisms:
• Human Nose (Fig 22) (18) (Fig 22) Human nose.(18)
Structure form : Two exterior openings followed - Cooling cacti plant:( Fig 23) (19)
by nasal passages that are linked with mucous - Structure form: rips covered by thorny spines
membranes , tiny hairs (cilia) and blood adapted on buds .
capillaries. - Functional task: the role of rips and spines
Functional task :The exterior openings permit the are:
atmospheric air to pass through nasal passages - - Reflect direct sunlight to provide shade and
which has the following functional tasks; enhance heat radiation to protect cacti from the
- Modulating the temperature of the sun.
atmospheric air passing from outside to the - - Allow the air to pass through , preventing
respiratory system by moisturizing it using dust and foreign particles.
mucous membranes which secrete a sticky - -Absorb co2 from air.

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(Fig 23) cacti plant

Bee’s hexagon honey comb(21) (Fig 24)
Structure form: Hexagonal lattice structure form
with minimum recycling material.
Functional task:
- Has a large volume enough to permit day
light and air flow to pass through it.
- The structure form is inherently stable to
struggle with the exterior wind force.
(Fig 25) polar bear

(Fig 24) Bee’s hexagon honey comb(12) (Fig 26) fiber optics cable.
(ii) The ways natural organisms use to self Fiber optics are transparent glass cables for
adapt with the surrounding climate: transmitting light . Since optical fibers can be
§ Evaporative Cooling: (hot environment) . easily bent and twisted they can ‘pipe’ light into
Natural` organisms feel cool by losing even the most inaccessible locations and also
temperature through evaporation .Ex; transmit light into heat .(Fig 26)
stomates in plant leaves. (1) c- “Breathing Window”: Structure form and
§ Avoiding heat gain: (hot environment ) functional task.
- Dense small plant leaves of the spines and Structure form: (Fig 27)
hair instead of large leaves, to decrease the A body has a parallelogram shape with dimensions
surface exposed to direct sunlight , while n,m,l has the structure form of the bees lattice
allowing the fresh air to pass through it. hexagonal honey comb .It has two mxl vertical
symmetric exterior and interior hexagonal lattice
(2)
shape facades , between them exist identical
− Rotating leaves which enable the plant to horizontal parallel hexagonal passages of length n
direct its leaves away from maximum on top and close to each other, permitting exterior
exposure to the sunrays. (1) atmospheric air to passé through to the interior
− Having ribs with its shapes that provide environment . The envelope of the breathing
shade and enhance heat radiation(19). window consist of four joined pipes having a
• Transmit light into heat - fiber optic parallelogram shape; two nxlxp right and left
capability (cool environment): vertical pipes and the other two nx mx p upper and
The polar bear is able to keep its body warm even lower horizontal pipes having small opens on the
under the freezing polar conditions since its fur two nxm sides facing the interior hexagonal
carry the rays of the faint polar sun directly to the passages . The four pipes are made from a non-
animal’s body because the fur possesses fiber moisturizing and non-rusting metallic material .
optic capabilities where it converts light into heat the body hanged outside the window at a small
thus it helps to warm the bear’s body.(Fig 25)(7) distance from the wall and stand on a non-rusting
metallic plate.

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(Fig 27) The structure form for the “Breathing Window”

Functional task: environment is now cool and pure. The water
In the interior environment; the breathing window absorbed by the hexagonal passages pass , as
filters the atmospheric air , Cools it in summer drops through the pores of the textile ,clay or reeds
and warm it in winter . from upper passages to lower ones and finally
In summer : Takes place via two steps: through the openings to the lower horizontal pipe,
First Step; Increases shade, reduces heat gain , which when full , moves water upwards through
and filters atmospheric air the two vertical pipes using the theory of
A metallic framed panel with hexagonal lattice pounding utensils then to the upper horizontal
shaped identical with the exterior façade and pipe. The water will be reused once again by
hanged on it (Fig 28), The panel has metallic passing through the opens in the upper horizontal
pockets to cultivate small sized cacti plant which pipe to the hexagonal passages thus helping in the
is put in a felt curtain irrigated through dripping. evaporative cooling process. (Fig 29)
The felt holds a substantial amount of water
which allows the roots to remain always moist
(20). Cacti plant is a desert plant which needs
small amount of water. The functional task of
cooling cacti plant includes reducing heat gain,
increasing of shade area around and on the
window, filtrating of atmospheric air from
foreign micro particles and preventing emission
of toxic gas co2.
The hexagonal passages are made of natural (Fig 28) frontal view for the metallic framed
material as textile, clay or reeds which has porous panel, with cooling cacti plant in pockets
feature to absorb water vapor from the Second Step: Evaporative-cooling and filtering
atmospheric air and filter it from foreign particles. atmospheric air:
The atmospheric air passing to the interior

(Fig 29)In summer; a frontal sector to show how the water drops directed from the hexagonal horizontal
passages to horizontal lower pipe, to vertical pipes then droping once again from the horizontal upper pipe
..
In winter; warms, and filters the atmospheric minimum weight ,is covered by a sticky
air transparent substance . The passages reflect the
The hexagonal passages are made of a fiber optic sunrays coming from outside to the far interior
material or any other reflecting material with environment (Fig 30) and permit purified

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atmospheric air to pass as the foreign micro heating and filtering air in interior environment
particles stick on the passages surface , thus, (Fig 31).

(Fig 30) horizontal light passage.

(Fig 31) the intensity of light and heat before and after using “Breathing Window”
d- Sustainability in interior environment evaporative cooling and filtering air
The “Breathing Window” plays an important role process.
in achieving sustainability in interior • Daylight aspect;
environments. - “Breathing Window” permits the passage
• Material aspect. through interior environment a small amount of
- The materials used in “Breathing sunlight in summer versus large amount of
Window” are natural materials that have sunlight in winter into the interior environment .
the potential for unlimited recyclability, (Fig 31)
renewability, less emission of toxic gases -The daylight has an essential role in developing
and pollution. resource sustainability (sun light), economical
- The lattice hexagonal structure form of sustainability (reduced. energy )and health
sustainability (better human physical and
the” Breathing Window” uses minimum:
psychological) in interior design.
material, energy and cost.
• Social aspect
- The collected water, through the
Modulating ventilation in interior environment
evaporative –cooling process ,is reused. using the “Breathing Window “ obligate the user
- The cultivated cooling cacti plant on the to stay long time in the space so create a complex
exterior facade is an example of using intimate interaction between the person and the
natural green materials in ecological space in the social aspect.
design in the interior environment. • Heritage Cultural aspect
- The natural material used in the passages The evaporative-cooling phenomena is a heritage
has porous feature which is used in the cultural aspect since ancient
Egyptians(1300B.C)who put a wet cloth in front

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of the window to cool the breeze passing through Provided that the iteration process stopped when
it as proven by drawing in tombs in Luxor.(12).It the size of the error vector of the biomimicry
developed and harnessed further during Islamic solution achieve * we summarize
Era who put porous pottery and clay jars filled the technique in the following 5 steps.
with water in plates on the balcony or window 1: develop appropriate questions from nature
boundary to cool both the water in the jar and the principles for mB, sB,fB ,go to2.
atmospheric air passing to interior 2: consider their numerical values to evaluate ᵟm,
environment(12) . In (1986) evaporative cooling ᵟS, ᵟf and evaluate .go to 3.
is used in “Breathing Wall” by Egyptian architect
3: if * go to 5, otherwise go to 4
“Hassan Fathy” (3) . Later , it is used with the
green facades systems to decrease thermal 4: Identify new more precious questions from
effect.(17) nature principles to explore and develop
more to improve and refine mB,sB,fB go to
• Economic aspect: step 2.
- The materials used in the "Breathing Window”
5: Accept this biomimicry design solution.
are natural, local, recyclable and so cheap.
4-Result:
- Using the sun and wind as a source of renewable
energy.
- The “Breathing Window “presented in this
e-A computational Iterative method to achieve paper is a model for sustainable natural
a Biomimicry design solution with certain ventilation in interior design: where it is a
accuracy: replacement for the traditional mechanical
In what follows we consider a computational ventilation systems, thus increasing the
iterative technique to achieve biomimicry design sense of belonging and attachment to the
solution with a certain accuracy. This technique is local: place, heritage and culture.
a base for a computer program includes a number - Provides good and clean natural ventilation
of subprograms to evaluate emulated : material, with suitable light through the interior
structure form and function task. space by cooling air with less light in
The spiral biomimicry design solution diagram
summer and comfortable heat and enough
(Fig 7) represents an iterative procedure where
every complete round give a biomimicry design
light, in winter, through the right usage of
solution for a considered human problem the openings.
emulating a natural design solution for the same - Maintains the aesthetic design appearance,
problem in nature . The biomimicry design easy to clean, and introduces thermal
solution must converge to natural design solution comfort and good health for the human
when the number of rounds (iterations) go to body.
infinity. This means that the biomimicry design - Satisfies sustainable aspects in interior
solution will never coincide with natural design design: environmental ( material –
solution, but converges to it to a certain accuracy . daylight), social; (intimate relation between
The convergence of the biomimicry design the user and the interior environment),
solution to the natural design solution depends on
cultural (using evaporative-cooling
the convergence of SB , fB , mB to SN, fN, mN ,
where SB , fB , mB & SN, fN, mN are representing the technique .)and economical ( Reduces
structure form, the functional task and the used energy consumption, used material and
material for both the biomimicry design solution cost .)
and the natural design solution, respectively. The
considered computational iterative technique 5- Conclusion:
depends on giving the physical features of mB , sB, - Nowadays, The world is facing two
fB and mN, sN, fN corresponding numerical values . problems: the energy problem and the nature
Let ᵟm =mN-mB , ᵟS =SN-SB , ᵟf =fN-fB, where e ≡ resources depletion problem. The “Breathing
(ᵟm, ᵟS, ᵟf) represents the error vector & =ǁeǁ= max Window “creates a design solution for
ǀᵟiǀ, i= m,s,f represents the size of e (5). Consider ventilation problem in interior environment
en is the error vector in the spiral round number n . as nature does thus, it will be having a great
Then the biomimicry design solution converges to efficiency as it reduces energy since using
natural design solution if ǁe n+1ǁ ‹ǁe n ǁ , so en→0 as renewable energy : natural sunlight & wind
n→ . and local recycling natural material : clay or

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