Associate Professor of School of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
Abstract
Atriums can be designed in such a way that they have low waste of energy and cause to provide facilities to utilize the natural systems. Despite all the advantages of employing atriums in the field of energy saving, the over intake of the sun heat during the summer could impose a high energy consumption on the building. This study attempts to copy nature to produce a parabolic skylight which mimics the diatom pore structure, that facilitates solar beam and daylighting pass through. Diatoms are a major group of algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. It is envisaged that this pore structure optimisation will form a part of a method that significantly reduces energy consumption for buildings in hot seasons. This research hopes to develop methods to mimic the diatom pore structure in atrium roofs. It aims to deliver advances in skylight design, including the use of nature to gain an understanding of the properties that will allow for the efficient daylighting and ability to design membranes based on mimicking nature’s design.This project will develop an understanding of the pore structure of diatoms, and its use in architecture. The project has been designed with Rhino and simulated by Ecotect.
Bismuto, Setaro, Maddalena, De Stefano M., De Stefano, L.(2007). Marine diatoms as optical chemical sensors: A time-resolved study.
Kucki, Melanie.(2009). Biological Photonic Crystals: Diatoms Dye functionalization of biological silica nanostructures, University of Kassel, Department of Natural Sciences.
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