THESIS TOPIC: PROPOSED IIM AT NAGPUR

THESIS SPECIAL TOPIC: USING BIOMIMCRY TO

DESIGN PASSIVELY COOLED SPACES USING SMART
BUILDING ENVELOPES

PARTH SHAH

FO.YR. B.ARCH (Y.C.M.O.U)

ALLANA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

THESIS SPECIAL TOPIC

1.1. INDEX
Preface
Acknowledgement
1. Synopsis

2. Introduction
2.1. Biomimicry
2.1.1. Introduction to biomimicry
2.1.2. Relationship to architecture
2.2. Need for passive cooling
2.2.1. Introduction to passive cooling
2.2.2. Methods of passive cooling in terms of
planning/structural/facades/materials
2.3. Façade design inspired by nature
2.3.1. Introduction
2.3.2. Need for façade design
2.3.3. Examples

3. Data collection relating to façade design /skin

3.1. Standard façade details
3.2. Skin related details

4. Case Studies
4.1. Council house 2 (CH2) Building, Melbourne by Mick Pearce
4.2. Al Bahar Towers, Abu Dhabi, by Aedes Architects
4.3. East gate centre, Zimbabwe, By Mick Pearce
4.4. Q1 building, Germany, JSWD Architects
4.5. Comparitive Analysis of case studies
5. Survey/Interviews with consultants
5.1. Interview with Architects
5.2. Interview with engineers
5.3. Interview with consultants – HVAC, Green Buildings
5.4. Analysis

6. Derivation of design guidelines

7. Annexures
8. Bibliography
1. SYNOPSIS
INTRODUCTION

Biomimicry is a novel approach of developing designs and products or to solve human

problems by taking inspiration from nature. Passive cooling is a non-mechanical means
of cooling buildings, using an approach to building design that controls the heat entering
the structure and encourages its dissipation, it is a concept that reduces the need for
energy-intensive systems like air-conditioning.

AIM

To design a smart building façade mimicking nature to passively cool the building.

OBJECTIVE

 To study biomimicry and how it can be used in architecture

 To study how façade design can passively cool different types of buildings, through
case studies in regions having similar climate as Nagpur

 To design a skin inspired by nature, that would in turn passively cool the building.

NEED

There is an immense increase in temperature all over the world due to global warming,
we have to start designing structures in such a way that it uses minimum energy and
cools itself to reduce the greenhouse gas emission caused by air conditioning.

LIMITATIONS
  A high cost of construction may be required but overall reduces the energy
consumption required by the building.
 This dissertation would be limited to use biomimicry as a building envelope or skin,
 The research would only include technologies that mimic nature.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology for research would be

 Aim & objectives

 Introduction/ Literature review
 Data Collection
 Case studies
 Surveys/Interviews with consultants
 Analysis
 Derivation of Design ideas and design approach

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.wbdg.org/resources/biomimicry-designing-model-nature

https://www.autodesk.com/redshift/biomimicry-in-architecture/

https://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/architect-uses-ancient-
techniques-cool-modern-building-india.html
2. INTRODUCTION

2.1. BIOMIMICRY

2.1.1. INTRODUCTION TO BIOMIMICRY

Biomimicry is the imitation of models, systems and elements of nature for the, it is
a novel approach of developing designs and products or to solve human problems
by taking inspiration from nature.

The “Biomimicry” term represents a concatenation of “bio” which means life and
“mimesis” meaning imitation.

Man often takes inspiration from nature to solve problems since nature always has
answers to the most complex problems, and sophisticated processes, refined for
thousands of years. Nature can offer great examples of adaption, such as the adaption
of animals and insects to various climatic and environmental conditions. Such examples
have inspired architects and designers to study such concepts and apply them to their
designs.

Scientific research suggests that anthropogenic carbon emissions lie at the heart of global
warming, yet nature uses carbon as a building element of living organisms. An essential
issue of architectural processes is the utilization of optimum amount of resources and
thus has lower ecological footprints.

Moreover, nature also has no waste since output of one process serves as input for
another. In addition, the chemical reactions in natural processes require neither high
temperatures nor toxicity another point is that while manmade environments mainly rely
on outside energy sources, the main energy source of nature is the sun and gravity. In
this way, nature has various clues to offer humans for a more sustainable life.

For example, the solution to cool a space based on mechanical inventions by man uses
electricity or releases harmful gases which in turn pollute and damage the nature hugely.
Whereas the human body can perfectly respond and adapt to internal and external
thermal changes through its different parts to maintain comfort levels. When the body
 temperature (core, skin or both) is elevated, the body is stimulated to increase blood flow
to the skin and produce sweat to eliminate excess body heat. Thus humidifying the air
and making body cooler at the same time. The human skin is the main separator between
the body and external environments, and is the medium between core of the body and
external environment. Therefore, it is the part through which the adaption and thermal
regulation occurs.

2.2. RELATION TO ARCHITECTURE

The most common type of biomimicry in architecture is copying surface morphology from
nature. There are lots of buildings that take their shapes from nature, from bones to leaves
and flowers to shells. Sometimes the analogy is only morphologic, as in the iconic Sydney
Opera House’s analogy with an orange shell, yet sometimes the appearance also serves
a purpose.

For instance, the roof of Esplanade Theaters in Singapore by DP Architects uses durian
fruit as a model and their spikes as inspiration for sun shading and likewise has a
secondary sun shading lattice; thus, it captures the sun, reduces its energy use, and
reduces artificial lighting

Through history, most of the structural systems were thus influenced from nature. From
the cave houses to tensile structures, the prototypes of structural systems surround us
through nature. The biomimetic approach looks at and sees insect mound in the Masonry
structures such as pyramids, shell structures in eggshells, tensile structures

Fig1.1. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, SYDNEY Fig1.2. ESPLANDADE THEATRE, SINGAPORE

Spider webs, cell structures in honeycombs, and pneumatics in soap bubbles.

So, researches in biomimetic has encouraged architects, scientists and designers to dig
deeper into the natural world-even to microscopic levels in a bid to seek answers to
sustainable design questions by mimicking biological systems that have already solved
them, solutions developed over billions of years of evolution

Fig1.3.B GREAT PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT Fig1.4.B TENSILE ROOFS INSPIRED BY SPIDERWEBS

Fig1.3. ATERMITE MOUND Fig1.4.A SPIDER WEBS

2.2. NEED FOR PASSIVE COOLING

2.2.1. INTRODUCTION TO PASSIVE COOLING

Passive cooling is a term used to encompass the wide range of design techniques that
can be employed in a building to cool it without the use of mechanical systems. Some of
these systems function on their own after they are installed and do not need any further
input from the occupants of the building other than the occasional maintenance Passive
systems do not need to be completely free of mechanical systems, so long as the systems
used are minimal; using a computer system and a small motor to open and close windows
during the day would be considered passive. This is because the window is cooling the
building on its own for the majority of the time, it just needs the help of the motor to open
and close when needed. It is also considered passive because of the small amount of
energy used in the operation of the motor. When compared to the operational costs and
the energy consumed in a traditional air conditioning system, the few watts that it takes a
motor to open a window is so minimal that it barely registers, and thus it can be considered
passive in the long run

All passive cooling strategies rely on daily changes in temperature and relative humidity.
The applicability of each system depends on the climatic conditions
2.2.2. METHODS OF PASSIVE COOLING

Protection from or prevention of heat gains encompasses all the design techniques that
minimizes the impact of solar heat gains through the building’s envelope and of internal
heat gains that is generated inside the building due occupancy and equipment. It includes
the following design techniques

Microclimate and site design - By taking into account the local climate and the site
context, specific cooling strategies can be selected to apply which are the most
appropriate for preventing overheating through the envelope of the building. The
microclimate can play a huge role in determining the most favorable building location by
analyzing the combined availability of sun and wind. The bioclimatic chart, the solar
diagram and the wind rose are relevant analysis tools in the application of this technique.

Solar control - A properly designed shading system can effectively contribute to

minimizing the solar heat gains. Shading both transparent and opaque surfaces of the
building envelope will minimize the amount of solar radiation that induces overheating in
both indoor spaces and building’s structure. By shading the building structure, the heat
gain captured through the windows and envelope will be reduced.

Building form and layout - Building orientation and an optimized distribution of interior
spaces can prevent overheating. Rooms can be zoned within the buildings in order to
reject sources of internal heat gain and/or allocating heat gains where they can be useful,
considering the different activities of the building.
For example, creating a flat, horizontal plan will increase the effectiveness of cross-
ventilation across the plan. Locating the zones vertically can take advantage of
temperature stratification. Typically, building zones in the upper levels are warmer than
the lower zones due to stratification. Vertical zoning of spaces and activities uses this
temperature stratification to accommodate zone uses according to their temperature
requirements. Form factor (i.e. the ratio between volume and surface) also plays a major
role in the building’s energy and thermal profile. This ratio can be used to shape the
building form to the specific local climate. For example, more compact forms tend to
preserve more heat than less compact forms because the ratio of the internal loads to
envelope area is significant.

Thermal insulation - Insulation in the building’s envelope will decrease the amount of
heat transferred by radiation through the facades. This principle applies both to the
opaque (walls and roof) and transparent surfaces (windows) of the envelope. Since roofs
could be a larger contributor to the interior heat load, especially in lighter constructions
(e.g. building and workshops with roof made out of metal structures), providing thermal
insulation can effectively decrease heat transfer from the roof.

Behavioral and occupancy patterns - Some building management policies such as

limiting the number of people in a given area of the building can also contribute effectively
to the minimization of heat gains inside a building. Building occupants can also contribute
to indoor overheating prevention by: shutting off the lights and equipment of unoccupied
spaces, operating shading when necessary to reduce solar heat gains through windows,
or dress lighter in order to adapt better to the indoor environment by increasing their therm
al comfort tolerance.
Internal gain control - More energy-efficient lighting and electronic equipment tend to
release less energy thus contributing to less internal heat loads inside the space.

2.3. SKIN DESIGN RELATED TO NATURE

2.3.1. INTRODUCTION

The term “skin” is used in this research on a general level to refer to any human, plant
and animal coverings, including skin, hair, fur, feathers, scales, exoskeletons, and shells.
Skin is a complex and incredibly sophisticated organ that performs various functions,
including protection, sensation and heat and water regulation stated that natural skins are
an organism’s first line of defense to protect its interior from the exterior environment.

2.3.2. NEED FOR FAÇADE DESIGN INSPIRED BY NATURE

 A natural skin can regulate temperature and humidity, is often waterproof, yet permeable
when needed, integrates systems in a very thin membrane, protects from sunlight, can
repair itself and is beautiful. Plus it does all this with environmentally friendly
manufacturing, done at the local level and will not be harmful to the environment at the
ends of its life.

The harsh environmental characteristics create difficult conditions for living organisms.
Living systems are not static. They constantly need to adapt themselves to changing
internal and external conditions similarly a building with a façade inspired by this would
make the interior cool using less energy than a traditionally cooled building.

2.3.3. EXAMPLES

Those mentioned above shows that natural skins are good models for how building skins
should behave. However, current building skin are seen as barriers from the outside
world, instead of filters like a natural skin. It is seen that when evaluating natural skins in
a similar way building envelopes serve multiple roles, as they are the interface between
the building inhabitants and environmental elements.

i. The Esplanade Theater in Singapore, designed by DP Architects and Michael

Wilford.

It was inspired by the durian plant while the shell of this building was designed. The
thorny, multi-layered and semi-rigid pressurized shell of the plant protects the seeds
inside. Similarly, with a layered shading system that resembles the shell of the plant from
the outside, the building skin also prevents overheating of the interiors while allowing the
sunlight to be taken from the interior
ii. The Minister of Municipal Affairs&Agriculture (MMAA) in Qatar:

This building is designed by Aesthetics Architects. The skin of the desert cactus is applied
to the design of the skin of a desert building. The cactus plant is exposed to more night
sweats than the daytime to hold the water. Likewise, intelligent sun shading elements in
windows are also opened and closed in response to heat. Thus saving energy

iii. Q1 Building

Q1 building was designed by JSWD Architetken in Germany. This building is not just a
feathery design element- it also serves as a sophisticated sun shading system. The metal
feather elements vary in shape from trapezoids to triangles and rectangles. Aside from
the shading benefits, the different feather-like elements create a dazzling façade that
sparkles like a fish’s scales when the sun catches them just right. The metal elements
block of the harsh sun while keeping the interior cool, reducing the need for air
conditioning and climate control
iv. Council House 2 (CH2) Building

The ten storey building was designed by Architect Mick Pearce in Melbourne, Australia.
The climate control of this building mimics the ventilation system of a termite mound. CH2
includes many innovative and technological features such as photovoltaic cells, chilled
ceilings, blackwater sewage recycling systems. But by far the most striking features of
CH2 are its recycled timber louvers controlled by photovoltaic cells and the five shower
towers, in which water droplets evaporate slightly as they use up energy and thus cool
the air. Other features worthy of notice are wind-powered turbines which will help cool the
building at night, internal thermal mass, a gas fired co-generation plan, as well as the
recycling of the waste heat generated inside the building for their heating/cooling system

3. DATA COLLECTION
4. CASE STUDIES

4.1. Council House 2 (CH2) building, Melbourne, Australia by

Mick Pearce

Architects: Design Inc.

Location: Melbourne VIC, Australia

Category: Other Public Administration

Buildings

Project Team: Rob Adams (Project

Director -City of Melbourne), Mick
Pearce (Design Director),

Area: 12500.0 m2

Council House 2, an administrative

building for the City of Melbourne,
Australia

Every aspect of the building has been

examined and rethought from first
principles, evolving new precepts that are
based in the desire to be as true as
possible to the fundamental “laws of
nature”. The design philosophy is
concerned with developing appropriate
architectural responses that are a direct
and honest expression of the biodynamic
relationships that nature uses in her own
designs.
This has implications for the building’s architectural form and for all the very sophisticated
engineering within it. The composition of this building – its skin, its bones, its very innards
– has been subjected to rigorous reappraisal to attune it to natural processes. This
acknowledges the reality that we, as a society, must develop more sustainable structures
to live and work in, if we are to survive as a species

CH2’s public face is the tall facade overlooking Swanston Street, one of Melbourne’s
public boulevards. It is entirely composed of timber vertical slats covering a fully glazed
wall. These slats pivot vertically, opening and closing in response to the time of day and
the angle of the sun.

The facade is thus animated in direct response to the external conditions. This is
biomimicry at its very best – the building moving and becoming alive in response to the
conditions surrounding it.
COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS
5. QUESTIONAIRRES / SURVEYS

5.1. Questionnaire for an Architect

Q.1

What is passive cooling for you and do you think that it is an important aspect of sustainable
design?

Q.2

What basic information and/or knowledge should an architect have before incorporating passive
cooling techniques?

Q.3

Can you describe the early design phase of your similar project in which passive air conditioning
is used?

Q.4

Which design tools did you use during the design process and how useful did you find these
tools?

Q.5

What do you think about biomimicry?

Q.6

While the process of designing did you ever get inspired by nature for any of your buildings

Q.7

What are your lessons learned in this project and how is this project different from other projects
done by your office?

Q.8

According to you, what are the most important barriers for exploiting passive air conditioning as
an architect?
6. GUIDELINES