Biomimetic design synthesis and digital optimization of building shading skin: A novel conceptual framework for enhanced energy efficiency

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The world faces critical challenges such as climate change, an increase in energy consumption, and increased CO2 emissions. The building sector plays a significant role in exacerbating these issues. Designing sustainable buildings has grown increasingly complex, necessitating the optimization of building shading skins to enhance overall performance. Integrating inspiration from nature into design can significantly improve sustainability. Nevertheless, current frameworks for developing biomimetic adaptive building shading skins encounter limitations in efficiently translating design concepts from nature into practical applications. This study proposes a biomimetic shading skin design inspired by the Saguaro Cactus, reviewing existing literature, introducing a novel simulation framework, and exemplifying its implementation through a parametric case study. A comprehensive evaluation system assesses 1,384 simulations, utilizing Octopus and Grasshopper plug-ins for Rhino to improve energy consumption in an office building. Evaluation criteria include Energy Use Intensity (EUI), Thermal Loads, and Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA). The results show that the multi-angle biomimetic shading skin reduced energy consumption by 20 %, with a 36.5 % reduction in cooling load relative to the baseline model. The daylighting assessment demonstrates that up to 97 % of interior spaces receive adequate daylighting. The results underscore the superiority of biomimetic shading skin in enhancing both cooling load and energy consumption, as well as daylight performance and visual comfort. The result shows that the framework’s flexibility offers an extensive range of opportunities, appealing to designers and researchers who are motivated to harness its capabilities to enhance diverse design factors.