Understanding ideas 课文精读 · 建筑中的自然元素
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Trees, plants and flowers are all around us and we enjoy their beauty every day. In fact, we are so used to them that we may even take them for granted without realising how much inspiration they have given us. When we look at a pine cone, we might think how much it looks like the tiles on a roof. An open flower might make us think how closely it resembles an umbrella. It is natural to think in this way, but of course it wasn't the umbrella that inspired the flower or the roof that inspired the pine cone.
我们身边都有花、草、树木，并且每天都能欣赏到它们的美。事实上，我们已经习惯了它们的存在，甚至可能把它们视为理所当然，却没有意识到它们给了我们多少灵感。看到一个松果，我们可能会想它看起来多么像屋顶上的瓦片；看到一朵绽开的花，我们可能会觉得它和雨伞是多么相似。以这种方式思考是很自然的，但当然不是雨伞给了花朵灵感，也不是屋顶给了松果灵感。
第2段
Nature has inspired many of the most fascinating designs around us, including those in architecture. From Barcelona's forest-like Sagrada Familia to the modern style of Beijing's Water Cube, nature is presented in various architectural designs. Today, architects continue to explore ways to capture the beauty of natural forms, to mimic the way nature works or even to make natural organisms part of a building.
我们身边许多最迷人的设计，包括建筑设计，它们的灵感都来自大自然。从巴塞罗那的森林般的圣家族大教堂到现代风格的北京水立方，在各式各样的建筑设计中都能发现自然元素。如今，建筑师不断探寻捕捉自然形态之美的方法，模仿自然运行的方式，或者让自然生物融为建筑的一部分。
第3段
ArtScience Museum, Singapore
新加坡艺术科学博物馆
第4段
People whose interest is exploring the relationship between art and science will enjoy Singapore's ArtScience Museum. The building was designed to show the connection between nature and the modern city environment in which it sits. Shaped to resemble a lotus flower, it appears to float above the waterfront promenade and the water that surrounds it. Its roof collects rainwater and channels it 35 metres down to a waterfall in the centre of the space. The water is then recycled through the building's plumbing system. Visitors are often amazed to find themselves in an urban building that so truly captures the beauty of natural forms.
对探索艺术与科学的关系感兴趣的人会乐于参观新加坡的艺术科学博物馆。该建筑旨在展示自然和现代城市环境之间的联系。它的形状像一朵莲花，漂浮在海滨长廊上，四周被水环绕。它的屋顶可收集雨水，雨水顺着管道向下35米到达博物馆中心的瀑布。然后，水通过建筑的管道系统循环使用。当置身于这样一座真实地捕捉到自然形态之美的城市建筑中时，参观者常常叹为观止。
第5段
The Eastgate Centre, Harare
哈拉雷东门大厦
第6段
Harare's Eastgate Centre is a superb example of biomimicry; to use biomimicry is to create structures based on natural forms and processes. Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre while watching a nature documentary in which termites were constructing their nests. The insects built mounds covered in little holes designed to allow air to move freely in and out of the mounds. In a similar way, the Eastgate Centre has a "skin" covered in holes. During the day, warm air is drawn into the building through the holes, cooling as it reaches the middle of the building. At night, the heat absorbed by the wall during the day warms the cool air, creating a comfortable temperature inside. The design reduces the need for traditional air conditioning and heating systems, so the building uses less energy and costs less to run.
哈拉雷东门大厦是极好的仿生学范例：利用仿生技术，在自然形态和过程的基础上创造建筑结构。津巴布韦建筑师米克·皮尔斯在一部大自然纪录片中看到白蚁筑造蚁穴，从中得到启发，从而设计了东门大厦。这种昆虫搭建表面覆有小洞的蚁丘，以保证蚁丘内外部的空气流通。东门大厦也用了相似的方法，大厦的"皮肤"上设计了很多洞。白天，暖空气通过洞口引入建筑内部，在流向建筑中部的过程中冷却下来。夜间，墙壁吸收的热量使冷空气变暖，创造着适宜的内部温度条件。该设计减少了对传统空调和供暖系统的需求，因此建筑运行能耗和成本都较低。
第7段
The Algae House, Hamburg
汉堡藻屋
第8段
The world's first algae-powered building is in Hamburg, Germany. The surface of the apartment building is covered in panels that contain algae. The algae are fed with liquid nutrients and carbon dioxide to encourage them to grow. In bright sunshine, they grow faster and provide shade. The panels also capture heat from the sun and convert it into energy that powers the building. And that's not all — the algae inside the panels can be harvested and used to produce fuel. The building therefore not only responds to its environment and uses less energy, but also reduces damage to the environment by generating its own renewable energy.
世界上第一座藻类能源建筑位于德国汉堡。公寓楼表面的面板上覆盖着藻类。藻类以液体营养素和二氧化碳为养料，促进自身生长。阳光明媚的时候，它们长得更快，可以遮阳。这些面板还可以吸收太阳的热量，并转化为电能，给建筑物供电。除此之外，面板内的藻类可以收集起来，做燃料用。因此，该建筑不仅能够适应环境，减少能耗，而且自身可以产生可再生能源，减少对环境的危害。
第9段
Creating buildings such as these enables us to live in closer harmony with our environment. To meet the needs of today while protecting the world of tomorrow may be a challenge, but even the simplest organisms can help teach us how to achieve this.
创造这样的建筑物能够使我们与我们的环境更和谐地相处。保护明天的世界，同时满足当下的需求，这可能是一项挑战，但即使是最简单的生物也能帮忙，教我们如何实现目标。
二、重点单词
inspiration n.：灵感。how much inspiration they have given us
pine cone n.：松果。When we look at a pine cone
resemble v.：像；与……相似。how closely it resembles an umbrella
fascinating adj.：迷人的；极有趣的。the most fascinating designs
architect n.：建筑师。Today, architects continue to explore
mimic v.：模仿；仿效。to mimic the way nature works
organism n.：生物；有机体。make natural organisms part of a building
promenade n.：海滨大道；散步道。above the waterfront promenade
biomimicry n.：仿生学。a superb example of biomimicry
termite n.：白蚁。termites were constructing their nests
panel n.：嵌板；面板。covered in panels that contain algae
algae n.：藻类。the algae are fed with liquid nutrients
renewable adj.：可再生的。its own renewable energy
harmony n.：和谐。live in closer harmony with our environment
三、一词多义与熟词生义
take ... for granted 固定短语，课文 take them for granted 意为"把……视为理所当然、不知珍惜"，grant 此处取"承认、给予"的古义。
skin 常见义"皮肤"，课文 the Eastgate Centre has a "skin" covered in holes 中比喻建筑外立面/外墙，指"建筑表皮"。
drawn 常见义"画、拖"，课文 warm air is drawn into the building 中 be drawn 取"被吸入、被抽入"义，为 draw 的被动用法。
run 常见义"跑"，课文 costs less to run 中 run 指"（机器、建筑）运转、运行"，是科技英语常用义。
harvest 常见义"收割（庄稼）"，课文 the algae ... can be harvested 中引申为"采集、收获（藻类）"，作及物/被动用法。
powered 常见义"有动力的"，课文 energy that powers the building 中为动词 power 的第三人称单数，意为"为……提供动力"。
四、重点词块
be used to 习惯于
take ... for granted 把……视为理所当然
look like 看起来像
be inspired by 受……启发
continue to explore 继续探索
capture the beauty of 捕捉……之美
be designed to 被设计用于……
resemble a lotus flower 像一朵莲花
a superb example of 极好的……范例
based on 以……为基础
allow air to move freely 让空气自由流动
convert ... into 把……转化为
reduce the need for 减少对……的需求
live in harmony with 与……和谐相处
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】In fact, we are so used to them that we may even take them for granted without realising how much inspiration they have given us.
【主干】we are so used to them that we may take them for granted.
【分层】so ... that ... 引导结果状语从句；without realising ... 为介词短语作状语，其中 how much inspiration ... 为 Realising 的宾语从句。
【译文】事实上，我们已经习惯了它们的存在，甚至可能把它们视为理所当然，却没有意识到它们给了我们多少灵感。
【考点】so...that 结果状语从句；without + 动名词作状语；how 宾语从句。
【原句 2】The building was designed to show the connection between nature and the modern city environment in which it sits.
【主干】The building was designed to show the connection.
【分层】to show ... 为不定式作目的状语；between nature and ... environment 为介词短语修饰 connection；in which it sits 为定语从句修饰 environment（= where it sits）。
【译文】该建筑旨在展示自然和现代城市环境之间的联系。
【考点】不定式目的状语；between...and... 结构；介词 + which 定语从句。
【原句 3】Shaped to resemble a lotus flower, it appears to float above the waterfront promenade and the water that surrounds it.
【主干】it appears to float above the promenade and the water.
【分层】Shaped to resemble ... 为过去分词短语作状语（表方式/伴随）；that surrounds it 为定语从句修饰 water；appears to float 为"似乎漂浮"结构。
【译文】它的形状像一朵莲花，漂浮在海滨长廊上，四周被水环绕。
【考点】过去分词作状语；that 定语从句；appear to do。
【原句 4】Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre while watching a nature documentary in which termites were constructing their nests.
【主干】Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre.
【分层】while watching ... 为省略主语和 be 的时间状语从句（= while he was watching）；in which termites were constructing ... 为定语从句修饰 documentary。
【译文】津巴布韦建筑师米克·皮尔斯在一部大自然纪录片中看到白蚁筑造蚁穴，从中得到启发，从而设计了东门大厦。
【考点】while + 分词省略句；in which 定语从句；被动语态。
【原句 5】The building therefore not only responds to its environment and uses less energy, but also reduces damage to the environment by generating its own renewable energy.
【主干】The building not only responds ... and uses ..., but also reduces damage.
【分层】not only ... but also ... 连接三个并列谓语（responds / uses / reduces）；by generating ... 为方式状语，其中 generating 后接 own renewable energy 作宾语。
【译文】因此，该建筑不仅能够适应环境，减少能耗，而且自身可以产生可再生能源，减少对环境的危害。
【考点】not only ... but also ... 并列谓语；by + 动名词作方式状语。
六、语法点清单
1. so...that 结果状语从句
we are so used to them that we may take them for granted。that 后接结果，可与 too...to / such...that 对比。
2. 过去分词作状语
Shaped to resemble a lotus flower ...；was inspired to create ...。表被动且先于谓语，常表方式或原因。
3. 定语从句（which / that / whose）
the environment in which it sits；the water that surrounds it；people whose interest is ...。注意介词 + which 与 whose 的用法。
4. not only ... but also ... 并列
not only responds ... and uses less energy, but also reduces ...。连接谓语时主语后直接并列，注意就近一致。
5. 不定式作目的/补语
was designed to show ...；was inspired to create ...；appears to float。不定式表目的或补充说明。
6. 现在分词/动名词作状语与宾语
without realising ...；by generating ...；while watching ...。介词/连词后接非谓语。
七、逻辑链
起兴（第1段）：日常草木予人灵感 → 但"仿自然"非自然仿人，而是人学自然
↓
立论（第2段）：自然启发诸多建筑，建筑师致力捕捉、模仿乃至融入自然
↓
范例一 新加坡艺术科学博物馆（第3—4段）：莲花造型、浮于水上、雨水循环
↓
范例二 哈拉雷东门大厦（第5—6段）：仿白蚁蚁穴"皮肤"，以通风调温省能耗
↓
范例三 汉堡藻屋（第7—8段）：藻类面板发电产燃，自给可再生能
↓
升华（第9段）：此类建筑促进人与环境和谐，最简生物亦能教人可持续之道
这是一篇"说明+举例"的科普说明文：第1—2段由现象入题，确立"自然启发建筑"的主旨；第3—8段以三个标志性建筑为实例，依次展示"形态仿生、结构仿生、能源仿生"；第9段总结建筑与自然和谐共生的意义，收束全篇。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：we are so ... that we may even ... without realising ...
课文：we are so used to them that we may even take them for granted without realising how much inspiration they have given us.
仿写：We are so busy that we may even ignore our health without realising how precious it is.（我们太忙，甚至会忽视健康，而不知它多么珍贵。）——用于写"习焉不察"的现象。
模板 2：... continue to explore ways to ...
课文：architects continue to explore ways to capture the beauty of natural forms.
仿写：Scientists continue to explore ways to cure the disease.（科学家不断探索治愈此病的方法。）——用于写持续探究。
模板 3：Shaped to resemble ..., it appears to ...
课文：Shaped to resemble a lotus flower, it appears to float above the water.
仿写：Shaped to resemble a bird, the bridge appears to fly across the river.（造型似鸟，这座桥仿佛飞跨江面。）——用于描写建筑/器物外形。
模板 4：... was inspired to ... while ...
课文：Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre while watching a nature documentary.
仿写：She was inspired to write the song while travelling in the mountains.（她在山中旅行时获得灵感写下这首歌。）——用于写受启发而创作。
模板 5：not only ..., but also ...
课文：The building therefore not only responds to its environment ..., but also reduces damage ...
仿写：Reading not only broadens our horizons, but also enriches our minds.（阅读不仅开阔视野，也丰富心灵。）——用于并列递进。
支付后无法下载，请加客服微信：yxyh29661 建议在QQ等浏览器中注册登录后下载，可用QQ登录 谢谢配合。