Smart textiles for the architectural façade

Abstract

Historically, the availability of new materials inspires designers and architects with new potential solutions. Recently, architectural applications have more concerns about sustainable requirements, which are combined with the development of nanotechnology. The availability of nanomaterials and nano-devices offer the possibility to produce smart textiles. However, smart textiles witness a commercial production and increasing application for the contemporary architectural façades. The availability of nanomaterials adds smartness to the textiles by the use of a coating, like self-healing, antimicrobial, anti-fouling, self-thermos regulating, etc. Other nanomaterials are used like conductive ink, thermos-chromic inks, conductive polymers, conductive threads, shape memory materials, piezoelectric materials, and ceramic materials to produce nano-devices that add smartness to the textiles. The paper aims to detect the inquiry about the multi-functional properties of smart textiles for the architectural façade. The methodology follows a descriptive method to study the use of smart textiles, relying on the data collected from previous theoretical literature. A chosen case study has been described briefly and analysed to indicate the multi-functional properties of smart textile used. As a conclusion, smart textiles are used according to the purpose that is proposed by the designer. They are used to fulfil aesthetic, structural and environmental functions. The most effective property is the potentiality that has been available to create interactive and creative shapes and patterns for the architectural façade with additional sustainable multi-functions.