Inspired by the compression of human muscles and homeostasis in biological systems, Homeostatic Facade System regulated the building's climate by self-shading and it is designed by architectural material technologist firm Decker Yeadon.
Homeostatic Facade System has a double-skin glass facade system for large buildings that opens and closes itself in response to the internal temperature of the building. smart materials regulate the building's climate, just as many organisms maintain their own temperatures through homeostasis.
The facade looks like a window with swirling lines. Those are ribbons of an elastomer wrapped over a flexible polymer core. A silver coating on the elastomer distributes an electrical charge across its surface causing it to deform. When sunlight warms the interior of a building during part of the day, the elastomer expands, creating shade inside the building. When the interior cools, contraction occurs allowing more light to penetrate the building's interior.
Decker Yeadon's facade system was inspired by muscles, and by homeostasis in biological systems. The actuator that runs the system is similar to muscles. Homeostasis in organisms allows them to regulate their internal conditions such as temperature. The facade regulates a building’s climate by automatically responding to environmental conditions. This makes them attuned to local conditions and they use locally available materials and energy.
Retrieved from:
Decker, M. and Yeadon, P. (2010). Projects Smart Screen: Versions I, II and III.