Biomimetic adaptive building skins

Functional requirements of buildings are multiple and sometimes contradictory and must be
addressed for increased sustainability. New technologies such as biomimetic adaptive building
skins (Bio-ABS) adaptable to changing environmental conditions, can foster improved comfort
and reduced energy demand. Bio-ABS are translated from biological mechanisms offering
environmentally beneficial strategies. This project investigates the potential of achieving
multifunctionality in Bio-ABS by translating multifunctionality from nature into Bio-ABS and
simulating the environmental performance of multifunctional Bio-ABS. The project comprises
three parts: (1) Multifunctionality, (2) Translation and (3) Simulation, focusing on research gaps identified
as; the limited number of multifunctional Bio-ABS, limitations in translating multifunctionality
from nature into Bio-ABS and limitations in simulating multifunctional Bio-ABS. As a result of the scope of this project, a new design framework is developed for the generation of multifunctional biomimetic adaptive building skins, and it is demonstrated at an advanced practical development stage of a façade design. An evolutionary algorithm is used in combination with building performance simulation tools to digitally assess the environmental performance of the biomimetic adaptive building skins with a sub-hourly annual timeframe showing the morphological changes of the design.

Team

• Dr Aysu Kuru (School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Australia)
• A/Professor Philip Oldfield (School of Built Environment, The University of New South Wales, Australia)
• A/Professor Stephen Patrick Bonser (Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Australia)
• A/Professor Francesco Fiorito (Department of Civil, Environmental, Land and Building Engineering, Bari Polytechnic, Italy)