Algorithmic Design of Building Intelligent Facade to Control the Daylight Inspired by the Rafflesia Flower Kinetic Pattern

One of the proposed solutions to reduce energy consumption is to use nature as a source of inspiration. Surveys show that a large part of energy consumption is related to buildings. Considering that the building facade is the boundary between the interior and exterior space, it should be well-designed to reduce energy consumption. One of the solutions is to use an intelligent shading device that controls the entry of daylight in a hot climate.

This research, with its quantitative nature and simulation-modeling research method, has designed a kinetic shell in a building inspired by the movement mechanism of the Rafflesia to control the daylight of the building in the Shiraz climate.

The research findings indicate that the petals of the Rafflesia performed their opening and closing pattern in five consecutive movements and can act as a kinetic pattern or as a source of inspiration for the movement of the intelligent shading device of the building facade.

In the current research, the petals are considered with triangle geometry, which opens and closes from zero to 45 degrees at the top. In addition, according to the sun’s path from 7 AM to 7 PM, successive steps of opening and closing the flower take place, which can significantly absorb 20% of the radiation and 10% of sunlight hours. Therefore, the movement pattern of the Rafflesia in the hot and dry climate of shiraz has reduced radiation, which shows the optimal performance of the kinetic shading device.