Intelligent shading
AI and 3D printing support the development and evaluation of motorised façade systems that respond to environmental conditions.
All research projects
Biomimetic Buildings
Integrating AI and additive manufacturing for biomimetic adaptive building façades
Biomimetic Buildings
Research / Overview
Buildings that respond to their environment.
How can a building envelope respond to changing light, heat and moisture? This project brings biological adaptation into conversation with building simulation, materials science and architectural design.
The research examines how adaptive façades could improve energy performance and occupant comfort. A key challenge is evaluating dynamic systems through experiments as well as simulation, and understanding what would make them practical at building scale.
- Funding programme
- MBIE Endeavour Fund / Smart Ideas
- Investment
- NZ$999,999 over 3 years
- Award year
- 2025
- Funding recipient
- Bodeker Scientific
- Principal investigator
- Negin Imani
Research / Focus
What the research explores.
Responsive materials
Plant-inspired structures and 4D printing offer routes to materials that change shape in response to their surroundings.
Performance in context
Simulation and prototype studies investigate behaviour across daylight, thermal comfort and ventilation, alongside questions of durability and practical application.
People / Project team
Expertise across disciplines.
14 people connected through Biomimetic Buildings.
Explore the project’s researchers, advisors and contributors in the people directory, with their affiliations and roles.
Research / Updates
From the project.
Updates from the project website.
- Research shared with future scientists. The project shared a Futurum feature introducing adaptive building research to students and educators.
- Biomimetic Adaptive Buildings in print. The project highlighted an edited collection bringing together work on responsive façades and nature-inspired building design.