BioSkin - Research potentials for biologically inspired energy efficient façade components and systems

The research study is targeting the identification of strategic research potentials in the field of biomimetics for innovative façade technologies of the future. With the identification of useful principles of biological role models and the transfer to bionic façade concepts, interdisciplinary R&D research activities shall be improved to enable the development of sustainable solutions for climate-adaptive energy-efficient facades systems of the future.

Titel und Synopse

BioSkin - Forschungspotenziale für bionisch inspirierte energieeffiziente Fassadentechnologien

Ziel der wissenschaftlichen Grundlagenstudie ist die Identifikation von Forschungspotenzialen in der Bionik für innovative Fassadentechnologien der Zukunft. Durch die Identifikation von nutzbaren Prinzipien biologischer Vorbildmodelle und Übersetzung in bionische Fassadenkonzepte sollen interdisziplinäre F&E-Aktivitäten für die Entwicklung von klima-adaptiven energieeffizienten Fassadensystemen der Zukunft angeregt und Perspektiven für Innovationen eröffnet werden.


Project description / tasks

Status

ongoing

Summary

Starting point / motivation

Human and biological made constructions are exposed to the same environmental conditions. Hence, the requirements to shells in the nature and envelopes of buildings are comparable.

Considering that a façade has the biggest surface share of a building, it also holds the biggest potential in gain and loss of energy and comfort; not to mention the aesthetical function that makes the façade a specific architectural building component. Modern façade systems need to fulfil a wide range of variable often conflicting requirements, such as maximizing daylight inlet whilst minimizing thermal overheating, using thermal storage whilst applying light weight constructions; functions which are often inverting their priorities according to the seasons. Physical, architectural and technical objectives as well as energy efficiency and sustainable energy generation, social and economic aspects need to be considered.

Since nature is providing alternative solutions to meet a maximum of energy efficiency, adaptivity and comfort whilst using minimum of natural resources and embodied energy, the focus on biological potentials shall enable new perspectives and innovative contributions for façades of the future.

Abbildung 1: Initial scheme for the interdisciplinary approach of a biomimetic potential analyses

Contents and goals

In this research study the potentials coming from approved biological solutions in material, structures and processes will be surveyed by biomimetic methods and the most promising principles will be transferred to new concepts of biologically inspired façade systems, which combine sustainablilty with adaptivity and energy savings in a new way.

Methods of treatment

On basis of the analyses of modern façade functions (Status Quo) and the description of the visionary "sustainable façade of the future", specification profiles with technical characteristics of climate-adaptive energy-efficient façade functions will be prepared and transferred to abstract specification qualities. With these specification qualities, a comprehensive survey for effective biological role models with a specific transfer potential will be done. The identified results will be summarized in "biological data sheets" and shall demonstrate the diversity of promising biological solutions. By using methods from building and component simulation, and by the integration of models from interdisciplinary fields such as biology, ecology, material and environmental sciences, new façade concepts will be analysed and innovative potentials for new façade solutions of the future will be shown.

Expected results / conclusions

The expected biological potentials and new façade concepts will be summarized in a "Specification catalogue for innovative biologically inspired façade systems". It will serve as an information basis for further interdisciplinary research and development activities between the building sector and biomimetic disciplines to strengthen innovative solutions for sustainable façade systems of the future.

Providing a valuable know-how growth for the building industry by connecting various interdisciplinary research fields outside the building sector with façade technology related fields will be another expected benefit of the project.


Project partners

Project management

DI Susanne Gosztonyi
Austrian Institute of Technology AIT, Department Energy

Project or cooperation partner

Project support by international expert group (subcontractors):

  • Dr. Petra Gruber, transarch, AT
  • Prof. George Jeronimidis, University of Reading, Centre for Biomimetics, UK
  • Prof. Thomas Speck, Universität Freiburg, Kompetenznetz Biomimetik, BIOKON, DE
  • Prof. Sergio Altomonte, University of Nottingham, School of Built Environment, UK
  • Dr. Susanne Geissler, Austrian Energy Agency, Geschäftsfeld Gebäude & Raumwärme, AT

Contact address

Austrian Institute of Technology AIT, Energy Department
DI Susanne Gosztonyi
Giefinggasse 2, A-1210 Wien
Tel.: +43 (0) 50550-6582
Fax: +43 (0) 50550-6613
E-Mail: susanne.gosztonyi@ait.ac.at
Homepage: http://www.ait.ac.at/


FFG ID: 817620

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