An Empirical Study Investigating the Impact of Micro-algal Technologies and their Application within Intelligent Building Fabrics

The potential for algal technologies to lead innovation in bio-mimetic design requires much further analysis. This paper investigates the potential of the use of algal technologies in the building sector as part of an on-going research study. This investigation restricted itself to the application of algal technologies as catalysts for architectural creativity in the design of intelligent building fabrics and the resulting influence on internal luminance. In its attempt, the research study integrated both quantitative and qualitative approaches and was thus based upon a mixed method research. The paper outlines the initial empirical study, the primary purpose of such being the investigation of algal growth mechanisms and the examination of any interdependence that exists between culture density and internal luminance. Through the construction of a highly controlled experimental chamber, the authors were able to successfully examine this relationship and thus develop a visual design tool that informs what action should be taken or strategy employed based on the clients shading requirements and specific technological framework. It was established that from such work that as culture density increased, the technological strategies light transmittance decreased proportionally. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.