The innovative approach of Biomimetica and its application to sustainable retrofitting of existing buildings

In recent decades, elements and technological systems inspired by the natural world have become more widespread in architecture and construction industry, in order to improve the energy efficiency and thermal behavior of buildings. The best known example are green facades, increasingly used to improve the energy efficiency of new buildings and the bioclimatic comfort of urban settlements. Through biomimetic studies, innovative solutions are being proposed, from the use of living biological systems (e.g. bio-reactive facades) for climate control to new natural materials (e.g. metal-sensitive wooden sheets) that react directly to external factors such as light, heat, humidity, opening and closing without the use of energy or mechanical aids. All these systems contribute to improving the energy efficiency of both buildings and the urban system in which they are located. The contribution aims to examine technological solutions based on biomimetic methodology, to assess their applicability in the retrofitting of existing buildings.