Biomimicry For Achieving Energy-Efficient Office Buildings: A Study for Thermoregulations Through Surface Area to Volume Ratio

Global concern is rising over energy efficiency in buildings, which are one of the highest sectors in energy consumption rates. Biomimicry in architecture is one of the efficient approaches that contributes to improving energy efficiency in buildings, by emulating from nature and living organisms. The study aims to explore the emulation from the thermoregulations in living organisms and their surface area to volume ratio (A/V) phenomenon found in nature. This is leading to finding strategies for improving thermal performance and energy efficiency in buildings focusing on two extremely different climatic regions (Cold Humid and hot Desert Arid climates). The methods that were employed in this research are firstly, the analytical method that analyzes the natural phenomena (A/V) in living organism bodies) as a starting point, secondly, the simulation method for studying the energy consumption rates. A simulation is conducted by studying two tested forms: the compact form (A<V) and the longitudinal form (A>V). Results indicated that the thermoregulation in organisms reveals both similarities and differences when compared to thermal performance in buildings. Additionally, the two tested forms with different cardinal orientations and axis directions have a significant impact on changing the cooling and heating energy consumption rates.