Author(s): Audrey Chen, Kailing Mai, Simone Darveau & David Correa
This paper investigates a novel approach to architectural louvre design by applying biomimetic principles inspired by the hygroscopic behavior of the Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) to large-scale wood bilayers. Wood, a hygroscopic material, adjusts its moisture content based on the environment, expanding in humid conditions and contracting in dry ones. Previous research has developed responsive wooden bilayer systems for façades at small scales, however this study explores upscaling this concept to create adaptable louvres that respond not only to daily but seasonal humidity changes as well. The increase in scale is achieved with discrete wood actuators embedded within a plywood constraint layer. A CNC mill is used to cut functional grooves in the louvres, which are used for assembly, control the materials flexibility and control moisture dissipation across the bilayer structure. This environmentally conscious design offers a sustainable alternative to conventional kinetic façades by integrating material capabilities with biomimetic principles.
Volume Editors
ISBN
978-1-944214-49-4