PROSPECTS OF UPGRADING CONTEMPORARY BUILDING FACADES IN LAHORE THROUGH BIOMIMETIC BUILDING SKIN

Abstract

Much attention is paid to the importance of building envelopes these days and it is seen that many façade problems have been solved by taking inspiration from nature. Biomimetics is the science that allows a deeper look into the appearance and behavior of organisms in nature. Biomimetics is solving the building problem by changing how buildings are being constructed as it takes notes from nature. This research uses nature to explore the prospects of efficient building skins that provide desirable and aesthetically pleasing solutions to building problems. Major dealings of the research include identifying core issues in the skins of Commercial buildings of Lahore that lead to inefficiency and inadequate connection between people and place. Since the building envelope separates indoor from outdoor, it is inherent for the façade to be well suited to the energy needs of the building. The main aim of this research is to produce a catalog of building skins based on natural phenomena that could help resolve the major requirements and needs of contemporary architecture in Lahore. An attempt has been made to upgrade building skins by taking inspiration from the various phenomena in nature and applying biomimetic principles of design to enhance the responsiveness of these otherwise mundane and monotonous skins. The catalog for providing façade solutions is developed using biomimetic principles as a core concept and then applying digital tools like Rhino and ParaCloud Gem to find the results in a form of building facades. Keywords: Biomimicry, Nature, Building Skins, Biomimetic Facades, Digital Tools.