IMPACT OF ADAPTIVE BIOMIMETIC BUILDING SKINS ON INDOOR THERMAL COMFORT: A COMPUTATIONAL EVALUATION

Selma Saci Hadef, Sara Khelil, Djamel Alkama

Abstract


Introduction. Recent advances in computational design have transformed architectural facades from static envelopes into dynamic systems capable of adapting to environmental conditions in order to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Purpose of the study. This study aims to evaluate the thermal performance of an adaptive biomimetic building skin (ABBS), inspired by plant thermoregulation mechanisms, applied to a typical residential building located in Guelma, Algeria, which is characterized by a hot Mediterranean climate. Methods. Following the thermal validation of a base model, the research integrated two complementary approaches: a problem-driven biomimetic strategy to define the morphology and kinetic behavior of facade modules, and a parametric simulation workflow developed in Rhino Grasshopper, coupled with the Ladybug and Honeybee plugins for environmental and energy analysis. The ABBS was tested under five aperture configurations (−30° to +30°) across east, south, and west orientations during representative summer and winter periods, based on the ASHRAE Standard 55 adaptive comfort model. Results. The results demonstrate that the best-performing scenarios achieved up to a 17.7 % reduction in overheating hours during summer and up to a 22 % improvement in thermal comfort during winter through enhanced passive solar gains. This study confirms the potential of bio-inspired responsive facades to optimize indoor thermal conditions and highlights the effectiveness of computational biomimicry as a pathway toward climate-adaptive and energy-efficient architectural envelopes contributing to sustainable building design.

Keywords


biomimicry; adaptive building skins; computational design; parametric simulation; thermal comfort

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References


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