Building Energy Performance Assessment Based on a Bio-Inspired Kinetic Shading Devices

(Selma Saci Hadef , Sara Khelil and Djamel Alkama)

---

Abstract

As part of the energy transition and climate change adaptation, buildings are increasingly required to interact dynamically with their environment to reduce energy consumption and mitigate environmental impacts. In this context, kinetic shading systems represent a promising solution, particularly those inspired by the adaptive mechanisms of plants responding to environmental stimuli, within a biomimetic design framework. This study follows such an approach by evaluating the performance of a proposed biomimetic kinetic shading system applied to a residential building located in Guelma, Algeria. A dual methodological framework was adopted, combining a problem-driven biomimetic approach with parametric simulation techniques. Three building orientations were assessed across five configurations of the shading system. The findings reveal that the biomimetic kinetic system effectively mitigates solar gains, reducing them by up to 73% during the summer, which results in a 46.6% decrease in cooling energy demand. In the winter, the system enhances solar gains by 16%, leading to a 31.9% reduction in heating requirements. These results underscore the potential of this approach to improve building energy performance while advancing innovative and sustainable passive design strategies.
KEYWORDS
Biomimicry, energy consumption, optimization, parametric simulation, smart materials, solar gains
PDF

References

Abdel-Rahman, W.S.M. (2021). Thermal performance optimization of parametric building envelope based on bio-mimetic inspiration. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 12(1), 1133–42. DOI: 10.1016/j.asej.2020.07.007.
Al-Masrani, S.M., Al-Obaidi, K.M., Zalin, N.A. and Aida Isma, M.I. (2018). Design optimisation of solar shading systems for tropical office buildings: Challenges and future trends. Solar Energy, 170(n/a), 849–72. DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.04.047.
ASHRAE, A. (2010). Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. 2010. American Society of Heating, Refridgerating and Airconditioning Engineers. Atlanta, USA.
Ashraf, N. and Abdin, A.R. (2024). Biomimetic design synthesis and digital optimization of building shading skin: A novel conceptual framework for enhanced energy efficiency. Energy and Buildings, 323(n/a), 114824. DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114824.
Badeche, M. (2022). Integrated adaptive facades for building energy efficiency and user’s thermal comfort. In: M. Hatti (Éd.), Artificial Intelligence and Heuristics for Smart Energy Efficiency in Smart Cities. Springer International Publishing. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-92038-8_90.
Bijari, M., Aflaki, A. and Esfandiari, M. (2025). Plants Inspired biomimetics architecture in modern buildings: A review of form, function and energy. Biomimetics, 10(2), 124. DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics10020124.
Brzezicki, M. (2024). A systematic review of the most recent concepts in kinetic shading systems with a focus on biomimetics: A motion/deformation analysis. Sustainability, 16(13), 5697. DOI: 10.3390/su16135697.
Chaturvedi, P.K., Kumar, N. and Lamba, R. (2024). Multi-objective optimization for visual, thermal, and cooling energy performance of building envelope design in the composite climate of Jaipur (India). Energy and Environment, n/a(n/a), 0958305X241228513. DOI: 10.1177/0958305X241228513.
Chayaamor-Heil, N. and Laracuente, N.M. (2020). Bio-inspired passive kinetic solar shading device for a responsive architectural envelope. In: 13th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland. 01-02/10/ 2018.
Djedouani, R., Gherzouli, L. and Elçi, H. (2021). Thermal behavior assessment of natural stone buildings in the semi-arid climate. Scientific Journal of King Faisal University: Basic and Applied Sciences, 22(2), 92–9. DOI: 10.37575/b/eng/210043.
Hadbaoui, H. (2018). Pratique Du Biomimétisme Dans L’architecture Bioclimatique : Essai Sur La Performance Énergétique Des Enveloppes Architecturales Autonomes Responsives Dans Un Climat Aride. Master’s Dissertation, Salah Boubnider University, Constantine, Algeria.
Harbi, I., Salah-Salah, H., Bensehla, S., Gherraz, H. and Alkama, D. (2024). Assessment of hybrid solar energy potential in semi-arid urban residential buildings: A study on Guelma town in northern Algeria. Energy for Sustainable Development, 81(n/a), 101521. DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101521.
Hosseini, S.M., Fadli, F. and Mohammadi, M. (2021). Biomimetic kinetic shading facade inspired by tree morphology for improving occupant’s daylight performance. Journal of Daylighting, 8(1), 65–85. DOI: 10.15627/jd.2021.5.
Jaber, S. and Ajib, S. (2011). Optimum, technical and energy efficiency design of residential building in Mediterranean region. Energy and Buildings, 43(8), 1829–34. DOI:10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.03.024.
Khadraoui, M.-A. and Sriti, L. (2018). Study and optimization of the windows’ impact on thermal comfort and energy efficiency (Case of offices in a hot and arid climate). Journal of Applied Engineering Science and Technology, 4(1), 89–99. DOI: 10.69717/jaest.v4.i1.82.
Khelil, S. (2021). Advanced Building’s Skin Design Towards the Optimization of The Energy Consumption in Hot and Arid Regions. PhD Thesis, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria.
Khelil, S., Khelil, A.E., Bouzir, T.A.K., Berkouk, D. and Zemmouri, N. (2022). Assessing the effect of building skin adaptability on energy consumption in hot arid regions. Scientific Journal of King Faisal University: Basic and Applied Sciences, 23(1), 36–43. DOI: 10.37575/b/sci/210082.
Kuru, A., Fiorito, F., Oldfield, P. and Bonser, S.P. (2018). Multi-functional biomimetic adaptive façades: A case study. In: FACADE 2018 Final Conference of COST TU1403 Adaptive Facades Network, Lucerne, Switzerland.
Lahmar, I., Cannavale, A., Martellotta, F. and Zemmouri, N. (2022). The Impact of building orientation and window-to-wall ratio on the performance of electrochromic glazing in hot arid climates: A parametric assessment. Buildings, 12(6), 724. DOI:10.3390/buildings12060724.
Lakhdari, K., Sriti, L. and Painter, B. (2021). Parametric optimization of daylight, thermal and energy performance of middle school classrooms, case of hot and dry regions. Building and Environment, 204(n/a), 108173. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108173.
Mohamed, S., El-Rahman, A., Esmail, I., Khalil, H.B. and El-Razaz, Z. (2020). Biomimicry inspired adaptive building envelope in hot climate. Engineering Research Journal, 166(n/a), 30–47. 10.21608/erj.2020.135274.
Naeem, N., Abdin, A. and Saleh, A. (2024). An approach to using shape memory alloys in kinetic facades to improve the thermal performance of office building spaces. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 12(1), 326–49. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120125.
Sadeghipour R., M., Pak, M. and Viola, A. (2013, August). Ladybug: A parametric environmental plugin for grasshopper to help designers create an environmentally-conscious design. In: Building Simulation. IBPSA. DOI: 10.26868/25222708.2013.2499.
Sahnoune, S, (2022). Parametric Optimisation on Solar Radiation in Courtyard Design in a Semi-Arid Climate. PhD Thesis, Salah Boubnider University, Constantine, Algeria.
Salah, F. and Kayili, M.T. (2022). Responsive kinetic façade strategy and determination of the effect on solar heat gain using parametric bim-based energy simulation. Journal of Green Building, 17(1), 71–88. DOI: 10.3992/jgb.17.1.71.
Shahin, A., Nessim, A. and Steit, M. (2023). Bio-based Adaptive skins: Investigating the impact of using shape-morphing skins on the energy consumption of administrative buildings. Engineering Research Journal (Shoubra), 52(3), 135–47. DOI: 10.21608/erjsh.2023.201094.1159.
Sheikh, W.T. and Asghar, Q. (2019). Adaptive biomimetic facades: Enhancing energy efficiency of highly glazed buildings. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 8(3), 319–31. DOI: 10.1016/j.foar.2019.06.001.
Soliman, M.E. and Bo, S. (2023). An innovative multifunctional biomimetic adaptive building envelope based on a novel integrated methodology of merging biological mechanisms. Journal of Building Engineering, 76(n/a), 106995. DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106995.
Sommese, F., Badarnah, L. and Ausiello, G. (2022). A critical review of biomimetic building envelopes: Towards a bio-adaptive model from nature to architecture. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 169(n/a), 112850. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112850.
Sommese, F., Hosseini, S.M., Badarnah, L., Capozzi, F., Giordano, S., Ambrogi, V. and Ausiello, G. (2024). Light-responsive kinetic façade system inspired by the Gazania flower: A biomimetic approach in parametric design for daylighting. Building and Environment, 247(n/a), 111052. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.111052.
Sozer, H. (2010). Improving energy efficiency through the design of the building envelope. Building and Environment, 45(12), 2581–93. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.05.004.
Toutou, A., Fikry, M. and Mohamed, W. (2018). The parametric based optimization framework daylighting and energy performance in residential buildings in hot arid zone. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 57(4), 3595–608. DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2018.04.006.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2023). International Energy Outlook 2023. Available at: https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/index.php (accessed on 27/08/2025).
Wang, M., Jia, Z., Tao, L. and Xiang, C. (2024). Review of dynamic façade typologies, physical performance and control methods: Towards smarter and cleaner zero-energy buildings. Journal of Building Engineering, 98(n/a), 111310. DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111310