BIOMIMETIC BUILDING
Originial Design
Final Design
This project was the main component of a course on the principals of sustainable design. Our challenge was to choose a harsh climate and to design a house that uses biomimetic principals to make the house more environmentally friendly. We chose the Arabian Desert, specifically the city of Tabuk in Saudi Arabia because it experiences wide temperature swings, both daily and seasonally.
Overview of the Project
Major Design Components
Personal Contributions
We implemented a shell-like structure as our main design component. It mimics the white desert snail that uses the air in its shell as insulation against the heat. Our shell also amplifies the wind when paired with a geothermal cooling system and a solar chimney. The effect was to create a wind collection system that, created enough air flow through the house to passively cool it, even during the hottest months in the summer. The major flaw was constructibility of the shell.
I held a large role in the brainstorming, sketching, and early design process, but my main role was the analytics of the shell, the geothermal cooling, and the solar chimney. I examined the effectiveness of their functions, and the ideal dimensions of the components, as well as identifying any necessary changes to the design for optimal function. I was also in charge of the cultural research for the region to make sure our design met any specifications that were distinct in Saudi Arabia.
For a closer look at the project, download our final paper here:
Mar-May 2015
Team of 5
Check out the photos below for a closer look at some of the design components.
A Solidworks rendering of the opening of the shell and the main access to the house.
One of the design changes made in the revision was to reduce the shell dimensions to better regulate the wind flow around the house.
These overhangs were implemented at the back of the house to allow for direct sunlight without creating too much heat in the hot summer sun.
A Solidworks rendering of the opening of the shell and the main access to the house.