The building enclosure is a complex system that is typically overlooked and mostly considered for aesthetic expressions of the architectural design. Understanding the functions of each layer of the enclosure and how to incorporate them from early design stages is the initial focus of Bioclimatic Skins.  This seminar will take a deeper dive into building enclosures as skins by focusing on how to address and apply envelope and façade design principles for a more environmentally responsive and integrated system. We will revisit building science fundamentals and look at building enclosures through a bioclimatic lens. Means and methods of design and detailing will be implemented from a structural, environmental, and materiality point of view.  Students will learn to design skins based on function, performance, and constructability by researching case studies from the built environment as well as apply innovation from nature’s genius. Once the design principles and techniques from the built and natural environments are covered, students will design a façade module that will be responsive to a particular climate through biomimetic design principles and best practices. 
 

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