Applying biomimicry to design building envelopes that lower energy consumption in a hot-humid climate

Design thinking in architecture has shifted due to warming climate, and the role it plays in energy consumption. The building envelope is a key design element, as it mediates the maintenance of comfortable indoor temperatures. Our study uses the solution-based approach for generating biomimetic architectural concepts described by Badarnah, Lidia, and Usama Kadri [2014. “A Methodology for the Generation of Biomimetic Design Concepts.” Architectural Science Review (June): 1--14. doi: 10.1080/00038628.2014.922458]. Our proposed biomimetic design was inspired by the adaptive strategies of the African reed frog and the Hercules beetle. It incorporates a hydrogel chamber, embedded phase changing material, and the use of adaptive thermal comfort. We calculated potential summertime energy savings for a small-sized office building in Chicago using DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus. Our results show a potential of up to 66% reduction in the space conditioning energy use intensity mainly thanks to a decrease in cooling energy needs.