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For almost every aspect of human life there is a structure – a mall for shopping, a post office for mailing letters, a bank for holding money – even a structure for washing cars.

In our world, architecture also serves as a cultural status symbol, showing the global community how far we have come in technology and sophistication. However, we are continually inspired by the ancient, yet timeless, designs found in nature. There are animal architects whose creations rival the work of some of our best architects.

Beaver’s build their infamous dams, spiders weave their gossamer webs, bees construct hives layered with intricate octagonal combs. Prairie dogs create sprawling “towns” that can cover thousands of subterranean miles with interconnected passages, rooms and chambers that each serve specific purposes. Ants too carve out underground labyrinths grain by grain to depths that can reach 50ft below the surface. Through a process of elimination termites simply chip away at wooden structures hollowing out and removing layers of tree bark – leaving behind gothic spires that rival those of Gaudi’s beloved Sagrada Familia.

Of all the structures we build it is the place we call “home” that seems to remain closest to our hearts. Here we celebrate “Animal Houses” and the animal architects behind the constructions. While we as a species continue to commit to the value of sustainability we can look to animal architects for a blue print on how to use materials that are effortlessly offered by nature and create structures that blend into the environment while leaving behind only what can be used again.