Biomimetic Design for Adaptive Building Façades: A Paradigm Shift towards Environmentally Conscious Architecture

Abstract

A change in thinking has been ongoing in the architecture and building industry in response to growing concern over the role of the building industry in the excessive consumption of energy and its devastating effects on the natural environment. This shift changed the thinking of architects, engineers, and designers in the initial phases of a building’s design, with a change from the importance of geometry and form to assessing a building’s performance, from structure to a building’s skin, and from abstract aesthetics to bio-climatic aesthetics. In this context, sustainable, intelligent, and adaptive building façades were extensively researched and developed. Consequently, several typologies, strategies, and conceptual design frameworks for adaptive façades were developed with the aim of performing certain functions. This study focuses on the biomimetic methodologies developed to design adaptive façades because of their efficiency compared to other typologies. A comprehensive literature review is performed to review the design approaches toward those façades at the early stage of design. Then, the theoretical bases for three biomimetic frameworks are presented to gain an overall understanding of the concepts, opportunities, and limitations.

Biomimicry in Architecture: A Review of Definitions, Case Studies, and Design Methods

“…The study of biomimicry is not simply copying external characteristics of organisms. The design approach involves an in-depth investigation for mimicking biological mechanisms on a physiological, morphological, and behaviour level [ 12 ]. According to Benyus [ 2 ], nature has developed nine design principles, referred to as ‘Life’s Principles’: the use of sunlight; only use required energy; form to function; recycle all resources; reward cooperation; focus on diversity; demand local expertise; curb excesses from within; and tap the power of limits [ 2 ].…”

“…The outcome is a compromise that satisfies a number of needs at once [ 5 ]. As yet, BIA is effective for generating climate-responsive designs through external facades and technical systems, such as natural ventilation [ 12 ].…”

“…Using biological strategies is beneficial for various fields. To achieve sustainable and conscious architecture and minimise the overall environmental impact, buildings can be improved through the passive, efficient, and circular design principles found in nature [ 12 ]. BIA can be used to improve the external envelope by allowing more efficient ventilation, resource savings, improved thermal comfort, and the overall energy efficiency of buildings to make them all together more sustainable [ 10 ].…”

Environmentally Responsive Materials for Building Envelopes: A Review on Manufacturing and Biomimicry-Based Approaches

“…Buildings must adapt and respond dynamically to their environment to reduce their energy loads and mitigate environmental impacts [ 12 , 13 ]. Adaptive and regenerative buildings can tackle building energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, benefiting in terms of comfort and mitigation of the heat island effects [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], which changes the perspective of the envelope traditional static solution [ 17 ]. In this sense, responsive building envelopes have shown potential for energy savings, reducing energy inefficiencies and greenhouse gas emissions and improving heating, cooling, and light uses [ 16 ].…”

“…According to Romano et al [ 20 ], and resumed by Borkowski et al [ 21 ], the characterization parameters of adaptive envelopes and facades include at least one of the following: high-performance, innovative materials, and systems to absorb and store solar energy; devices to manage natural and mechanical ventilation systems; mobile screens to control solar radiation; technological solutions to enhance or control the comfort in the building; and building management systems (BMS) to manage plants and building envelope elements. All these pose the challenge of shifting buildings’ traditional design and architecture into a more sustainable, adaptative, and conscious approach that copes with the current needs [ 14 , 15 ]. However, material selection may also be challenging since finding materials suitable to the building sector depend on availability, climatic conditions, and costs [ 22 ].…”