Inspired by trapping mechanism of Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Rahul Suralkar designed a solar responsive kinetic facade shading system.
The curve line folding feature of napping mechanism of the aquatic plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa is the biomimetic principles behind the design of Solar Responsive Kinetic Facade. The rapid trapping movement is due to a sudden contraction of the motors in the lens shaped central part of the plant which transfers the bending movement to its side lobes.
A small linear displacement gives the support comparatively large deformations of leaves of the facade shading system. The curve line folding mechanism consumes much less energy than a conventional folding shading devices.
Retrieved from:
Suralkar, R. (2011). Solar Responsive Kinetic Facade Shading Systems inspired by plant movements in nature. In, Proceedings of Conference: People and Buildings held at the offices of Arup UK, 23rd September 2011. London: Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings, http://nceub.org.uk