Much of the energy consumed is used to provide comfortable conditions in buildings. Windows (all transparent walls) is one of the weakest points in wasting energy. In this study, using the characteristics of human skin as a protective layer and interface between the inside and outside of the body, an attempt is made to improve the transparent walls performance of the building facade. Simultaneously, the process of question-answering is articulated, and the characteristics of this natural pattern are discovered. Then, human skin traits are applied to enhance the diverse functions of facades. Finally, according to the characteristics of the skin, among more than 15 primary etudes, a vertical shading system is presented that can control the incoming radiation. The design is evaluated in two modes, controlled by temperature and controlled by the intensity of sunlight. The results show that more than 10% of energy consumption is reduced with movable shading systems. A separate study of energy consumption for cooling, heating, and lighting makes it more reasonable to use a temperature-controlled shading system, which can save 23% to 25% of the annual cost.

No abstract

Silkworm cocoons are a biological structure and a natural compound that develop over time and responds well to the environmental conditions for silkworms. Understanding the relationships of cocoon structure inspires the creation of composite structures such as low-weight, high-strength nonwoven bio composites. By means of a descriptive-analytical method and logical reasoning, in this study, in addition to introducing the cocoon structure, we try to offer materials as a non-woven bio composite, using sericin cocoon and natural fibers which for various reasons such as being light, nonpolluted, abundant, and low-cost can be a suitable alternative to artificial fibers. These materials are recyclable and suitable in terms of stability and energy consumption; therefore, they can be used as thermal and moisture insulation. This function is simulated and analyzed for the hot and dry climate of Kashan city in the outer shell of the building using the Hani Bee energy analysis plugin in the Grasshopper environment. The results show that the proposed non-woven bio composite can help improve, by up to 12.7%, the thermal performance of the building and decrease the movement of heat between the inner and outer space compared to the same building without thermal insulation in its outer shell.

Context: Biomimetics is a novel field of science that takes inspiration from nature and biological organisms to create and design forms. This knowledge can help improve the conditions of a building form. The form is the manifestation of architecture, and the initial insight into a form is figured out by observing its external shell. Therefore, the composition and the type of interactions of a shell with its surrounding forces determine the quality of this important element in construction. Evidence Acquisition: One of the most obvious patterns that have similar features with the outer shell of the building is the human skin, so the structural features of the skin can be used as a source of inspiration in production or improvement of the form’s outer shell. The skin is a vital and the widest living organ of the body. It is one of the most complex and active organs with such capabilities in transforming the human body as an efficient microclimate that can favor the situation of its internal organs and plays an important role in self-repair, energy absorption, and thermal insulation. Conclusions: In this study, we tried to use the structural features of the skin to provide suitable ideas for improving and upgrading the outer shell of the building form. Applying these capabilities in the structure of a building form would lead to the creation of a smart, usable, and expandable architecture with a favorable geometrical performance that will adapt to the surrounding environmental conditions, including climate, pressure, etc.