Biomimetic design of the building envelope: biological climate adaptations and thermal controls in the Sonoran Desert

Unrestricted This project selects nature as model in the design of the thermal building envelope. In desert regions the native plant species have developed the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a photosynthetic variation with a pronounced environmentally responsive rhythm. A pithy model of the spatial and temporal characteristics of this physiological adaptation is assembled based on theoretical and empirical descriptions.; Drawing a connection between the chemical system of the CAM species and the thermal system of the building envelope, a conceptual conversion factor is constructed that relates the natural model to the artificial product via their respective dynamic processes.; This natural model is translated to a south wall system of the building envelope in terms of the configuration and selection of thermochromic glazing, thermal mass, and thermal resistance materials as a thermal correspondent of a chemical system. SonoranSystems is a computer application created by the author to asses the thermal performance of the proposed wall sections. Conclusions are drawn on thermal efficiency of the layering of wall materials, behavioral resemblance to the natural model, and the correlation between efficiency and biomimicry.