Modeling a Kinetic Smart Shell to Optimize Daylight in a Hot and Semi-Arid Climate (Inspired by the Movement Algorithm of Carnivorous Plant)

Subject Areas : Life Space Journal

Zahra Yarmahmoodi ¹ , Tahereh Nasr ² , Hamed Moztarzadeh ³

1 - Department of Architecture,Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran,
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
3 - Department of Architecture,Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran

Received: 2022-10-12 Accepted : 2023-01-04 Published : 2023-08-23

Keywords: Kinetic Shell, Shiraz Climate, Radiant Analysis, Daylight Analysis, Carnivorous Plant, Bionic Architecture,

Abstract :

Aim: Today, with the advancement of technology, buildings have mechanical systems of heating, cooling, etc., which have increased energy consumption. Therefore, to solve this problem, it is suggested to design buildings sustainably. In addition, with the updating of technology, the construction of sustainable buildings has become important, and after that, new concepts of smart buildings have been proposed. Architecture that is designed based on fixed parameters does not react to external factors. Therefore, to reach a responsive architecture, these parameters must be changeable. Non-intelligent buildings cannot change with the path of the sun, wind changes, etc., and this creates a separation between the building and the surrounding environment. Therefore, today there is a need for buildings that adapt to changes in the external environment and learn to adapt using the information given. Also, when the systems achieve adaptability, they have a dynamic character and can respond to external factors, which ultimately increases the system's efficiency.Nature, which has one of the best responsive systems, can be a good model for providing a solution to this problem. The building facade communicates between the interior and the exterior of the building; Therefore, factors such as ventilation, light, cooling, heating, etc. of the building depend on a façade’s performance. Therefore, a facade design which has responsive to external factors can be very important to achieve a green building. In addition, with the correct design of a facade, energy consumption can be reduced and interior space can be provided for the comfort of the residents, which is one of the main goals of building design. Nature itself is made up of different parts which include: human, animal, plant form, and inanimate nature, and also the building has different parts that in this research to limit the title, from nature, the category of plants, and the building, a facade selected for research. The focus of the research is on providing solutions that bring compatibility between architecture and the environment, and finally, the ultimate goal is to provide new and innovative solutions for designing smart facades in buildings. Considering that plants are fixed like buildings with their roots in place, they need to react to external factors, and this reaction is realized with specific movements. In this sense, the plant is very similar to the building that is sewn to the ground and must protect itself from rain, storm, wind, light, etc. For this reason, the current research has investigated a type of plant with an opening and closing movement mechanism to make the facade of the building more intelligent so that a facade can adapt to the outside environment and protect the interior of the building.Finally, with the investigations, the carnivorous plant was chosen as the source of inspiration for this research, and the kinetic algorithm of the plant was analyzed. Because this plant reacts quickly in proximity to the surrounding environment and has a unique movement mechanism. Also, today it has been the attention of researchers from a behavioral point of view. The present research is hybrid and based on theoretical research, concepts, definitions, topics and gathering information from the compatible plant and presenting a program to convert the data related to the plant into the kinetic algorithm of the intelligent shell of the building facade. As a result, an idea to provide a solution with the combination of biology and technology for the climate adaptation of the building shell with the surrounding environment has been proposed, inspired by the adaptation of the plant to the surrounding environment.Method: The research method is modeling-simulation. In this way, the kinetic shell is modeled in Rhino 6 software and Grasshopper plugin and Radiance analysis due to sunlight hitting the shell is obtained by Ladybug plugin. The Daylight simulation is obtained by Honeybee plugin. Shiraz climate data is obtained from Energy Plus softwareResult: The results show that the kinetic shell, inspired by the carnivorous plant's kinetic algorithm is dynamic and adaptable and has the ability to control Radiant analysis and reduce the entry of Daylight up to 30% in the hot seasons of the year. Therefore, the kinetic shell modeled in the current research has a good performance in Shiraz climate.