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BATir student Eleonora Rubinacci has received second place in the architectural design contest Switch2Save 2023 for her design Ghameleome.
BATir student Eleonora Rubinacci (MFE on Biomimetic Design supervised by prof. Ahmed Z. Khan, 2021-22) has received second place in the architectural design contest Switch2Save 2023 for her design Ghameleome.
Ghameleome is named after three entities: the greenhouse (GH), the chameleon, and the geodesic dome. The design is based on the optimization of a pre-existing concept, called the BGH (Building enclosed in a GreenHouse). First, energy simulations prove that surrounding a building with a greenhouse is equivalent to using a traditional insulating composite in terms of quantitative energy performance. Second, a biomimetic research-by-design process is followed to counter the five identified weaknesses of the BGH: high illuminance levels, insufficient passive heating in the coldest days and overheating in the warmest days, high humidity levels, and a margin to optimize the energy collection. Additionally, EC/TC Insulating Glass Units are used in the geodesic dome cells and allow the energy performance of the optimized BGH to be taken to the next level.
As a result, a combined biomimetic-optimized solution, featuring EC/TC insulating glass cells, is proposed to improve the BGH. It is inspired by the properties of the chameleon skin and the geodesic dome. The optimized BGH concept is efficient in terms of thermal insulation and is an alternative to fuel-based insulation materials, but also goes beyond insulation by providing in-situ food production, water autonomy, and enhanced mental health through greater proximity to nature."
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