Using Biomimicry Knowledge to Improve the Efficiency of Building Envelopes Inspired by the Morphology and Moisture Absorption Mechanism of the Cactus Plant (Case Study: High-Rise Office Building in Tehran)

One of the architectural design components that affects energy consumption and environmental comfort conditions is building envelopes. Among today's solutions to improve the efficiency of building envelopes is to establish a structural relationship between architecture, environment and biology. The focus of this study is on the characteristics of the cactus plant in water absorption and its purpose is to innovate in pattern design with the ability to save energy and improve lighting quality and user satisfaction with the light conditions of the space, by using Biomimicry in Building Envelope design. The present research has been done in two steps; in the first step, data collection in relation to the cactus plant was done by studying documentary-research sources and data were analyzed by descriptive-analytical method. Then, using the results of the analysis, the building shell model is designed and simulated. In the second step, a building model is used as a basis for simulation and the amount of brightness and glare from daylight, using the Climate Studio plugin, once in normal mode and again when the shell was on the building model was simulated and calculated. The results showed that by examining the mechanism of Water absorption and storage in the cactus and the equivalence of trichomes, epidermis and mucosa of this plant, achieved a model for building shells based on the maximum absorption of rainwater and moisture at dawn, as well as shading the facade of the building. Although according to the simulations, the proposed model reduces the index (sDA) by 1.4%, but in contrast, reduces the index (ASE) by 48%, which is a significant amount of improving indoor user comfort.