MOISTURE-HARVESTING LIZARD SKINS AS AN INSPIRATON FOR PERFORMATIVE BUILDING ENVELOPES IN ARID CLIMATES

Abstract

Abstract Research on shape-shifting adaptive architectural skins has recently focused on bio-inspired programmable materials. Only a few studies however examine the microstructure of living organisms, especially in terms of morphological adaptation in harsh climatic conditions. This paper explores the microstructure of moisture-harvesting lizard skins, specifically the Trapelus species of the Agamidae family in North-East Africa, as an inspiration for programmable materials in adaptive building skins in the arid climate of Egypt. The paper investigates the ability to improve the durability and morphological capabilities of programmable materials based on surface formation, utilizing digital fabrication techniques. A series of physical experiments were conducted on different samples of 3D printed wood filament under several humidity conditions, as a single layer, with textured patterns, and with the addition of potassium chloride as a moisture-harvesting chemical composite. The paper concluded that materials composed of textured patterns and moisture-harvesting chemical composites exhibited the highest moisture retention, therefore leading to advantages in its use in adaptive building skins in arid climates, through a wide variety of design possibilities for performative building envelopes.