Aggregate Geometries of Cooling Biomimicry Pattern Study for Passive Thermo-Regulation in Hot and Dry Climate

Rising global temperatures and severe heat events, fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, pose serious risks to climate-vulnerable populations such as the elderly, low-income communities, and outdoor workers. Conventional cooling methods like air conditioning are energy-intensive and worsen climate change, while solutions like urban green corridors remain inaccessible to many. For low-resource settings, it is crucial to develop cooling strategies that require no machinery and minimal material intervention. Biomimicry offers a promising path, drawing inspiration from nature’s ability to thrive with minimal resources. Unlike traditional architectural biomimicry focused on isolated forms, this research explores how natural systems self-regulate through global form and surface texture to manage thermal stress. Drawing inspiration from the Saguaro cactus, which reduces solar heat gain and modulates airflow through its ribbed geometry and spines, this study investigates how architectural surfaces can be geometrically manipulated to enhance outdoor thermal comfort passively. Using Phoenix, Arizona, as a test case in a hot, dry climate, the research develops and evaluates a range of formal strategies at the building scale and systems of textured material surfaces to test the effectiveness of passive cooling through shaping. Performance is assessed through direct solar radiation simulations using ClimateStudio and airflow modulation simulations using SimScale under consistent boundary conditions. The findings are demonstrated through the design of a shading device prototype, illustrating how biomimetic geometries can be translated into practical, scalable strategies for creating cooler microclimates in unconditioned urban spaces.