Biomódulo Bimetal

Módulo cinético bioinspirado para fachadas adaptativas

Bio-inspired adaptive façade systems with kinetic bimetal modules

Research Process (8 methods)

1. Literature review N = x

Exploratory Qualitative

2. Expert panel N = unspecified

Exploratory/Generative Qualitative

Professional biologists, including those from the Research Groups of Design Computation and Biodesign

3. Laboratory testing N = 1

Generative Qualitative

Leaf samples of Ammophila arenaria collected at Guincho Beach

4. Laboratory testing N = 5

Generative Qualitative

Reversible movement of the leaves through dehydration and rehydration

5. Observation N = 4

Generative Qualitative

Morphology of the internal leaf structure (specifically bulliform cells and stomatal crypts) using high-resolution scientific imagery

6. Focus group N = 8

Generative Qualitative

Multidisciplinary team including professionals from Architecture, Design, Biology, and Computer Science

7. Laboratory testing N = 10

Generative Both

Thermoreresponsive bimetal (PR675r) to investigate the influence of manually and digitally applied creases on material kinetics

8. Laboratory testing N = 5

Evaluative Both

Five physical "Biomódulo Bimetal" prototypes with different surface finishes (Metal, Black, and White)

#	Name of Method	Research Phase	Research Approach	Researcher Role	Object of Study / Participants	N
1	Literature review	Exploratory	Qualitative	x	x	x
2	Expert panel	Exploratory/Generative	Qualitative	x	Professional biologists, including those from the Research Groups of Design Computation and Biodesign	unspecified
3	Laboratory testing	Generative	Qualitative	x	Leaf samples of Ammophila arenaria collected at Guincho Beach	1
4	Laboratory testing	Generative	Qualitative	x	Reversible movement of the leaves through dehydration and rehydration	5
5	Observation	Generative	Qualitative	x	Morphology of the internal leaf structure (specifically bulliform cells and stomatal crypts) using high-resolution scientific imagery	4
6	Focus group	Generative	Qualitative	x	Multidisciplinary team including professionals from Architecture, Design, Biology, and Computer Science	8
7	Laboratory testing	Generative	Both	x	Thermoreresponsive bimetal (PR675r) to investigate the influence of manually and digitally applied creases on material kinetics	10
8	Laboratory testing	Evaluative	Both	x	Five physical "Biomódulo Bimetal" prototypes with different surface finishes (Metal, Black, and White)	5

Knowledge Exchange (PhD Process): Exchange with community representatives

IK&T	Academia	Design Practice	Society
Context	No	No	No
Vision	No	No	No
Means	Partially	Partially	Partially

R722 Artifact, System & Service Design Methodological Priority: High

Develop and test a full-scale 1:1 frame prototype for the Biomódulo Bimetal in order to assess constructability and architectural integration.

R723 Evaluation, Monitoring & Impact Resourcing & Sustainability Priority: High

Analyse the long-term fatigue behavior of the bimetal and creased biomodules to evaluate durability under repeated thermal cycles.

R724 Evaluation, Monitoring & Impact Artifact, System & Service Design Priority: High

Evaluate the thermal performance of Biomódulo Bimetal applications in façade systems under different climatic conditions.

R725 Evaluation, Monitoring & Impact Artifact, System & Service Design Priority: Medium-High

Evaluate the lighting performance of the biomodules to understand their effects on daylight admission, glare control, and visual comfort.

R726 Resourcing & Sustainability Process & Organization Priority: High

Plan the life cycle and production process of the Biomódulo Bimetal system to support realistic implementation and sustainability assessment.