Buildings account for as much as 41% of total US energy consumption. Since adaptive façades offer operational energy savings on the order of 50%, implementing adaptive shading devices could significantly reduce energy demand. However, current devices rely on complex mechanical hinges and actuators that increase costs, as well as construction and control complexity.
The Form Finding Lab has developed a new bio-inspired elastic shading device, IRiS, that actively moderates the influence of variable weather conditions on the building’s interior. No other devices can do so without the need for complex and costly mechanical hinges and actuators. IRiS not only substantially reduces building energy loads and increases visual comfort but is also cost-effective due to its low control complexity and ease of manufacturing.
Current Members
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Graduate Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering