Modelling and optimization of a biomimetic façade based on animal fur

Biomimicry offers opportunities to advance the development of flexible, adaptive facades. This paper focuses on fur heat transfer and translates the distinctive performance characteristics of animal fur to building envelopes. A tim-edependent mathematical model is developed to describe the application of fur to a façade. An optimised ‘fur’ layer was shown to have a thermal conductivity of 0.055 W/mK, compared with deer fur at 0.091 W/mK.  When an optimised, fur-lined façade was compared with a conventional lightweight façade under sunny summer conditions, heat gains reduced by up to 50%. During a winter scenario, heat losses to the external environment were reduced by at least 50%.