Building Envelope Cooling Inspired by Evapotranspiration in Trees

Abstract

Buildings suffer from uncontrolled heat gain through their skin which creates the urgent need for thermal comfort, resulting in the extensive use of air-conditioning systems. Emissions through ACs inevitably lead to ‘heat islands’ in cities creating a ‘butterfly effect’ in warming up the macro-climate, leading to what we can call the ‘Cooling Paradox.’ Trees have been the ideal natural cooling sources within our ecosystem by performing evapotranspiration. Inspired by this natural process, a design that utilizes the potent combination of terracotta and water that is receptive to moss strives for ecologically regenerative goals. This combination cools and purifies the air, targeting multistoried buildings. An inclusive future calls for the concept of Envelope cooling, addressing the question of rethinking our cooling techniques and creating an optimized terracotta second skin for buildings that combines passive shading with active evaporative cooling and ventilation strategies to create a low-tech, equitable design. A hybrid jali inspired by the geometry of Aerofoils which is optimized to channelize airflow, creating a nozzle effect and a flexible installation that can tailor to different locations and sun angles. Envelope cooling could reduce the energy load of cooling the buildings by up to 30%, resulting in energy savings by cutting the heat gain right at its source. The overall design of the system and its materials reduces the optimum electricity load of the buildings, attributed to the low carbon footprint. Its climatically adaptive design holds the potential to influence the shape of future buildings, landscapes, and cities with earthy tones.