Professor Guo Jinsheng, from Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, led an academic research study of amphibianArc’s partial building model, Cocoon, and its potential sustainable features as a building skin. Cocoon is a full-scale model of an actual part extracted from one of the two buildings, Yi Chang Museum and Yi Chang Planning Exhibition Center, designed by amphibianArc. Findings of the study showed that the building skin has ecological benefits, such as providing sunshade and reducing wind speed.

Purpose of Study:

Look for quantitative relations between the design parameters (scantlings, combination and density) of Cocoon and the installation’s level of sunlight and thermal radiation shielding; Look for quantitative relations between the design parameters (scantlings, directions and density) of Cocoon and natural wind; Research Cocoon’s potential as a type of energy-saving building skin.

Findings:

Cocoon will block out 70% of natural light (solar radiation) or even larger portion during sunny days; Cocoon can reduce the flow velocity of wind greatly and change the direction of wind slightly; There is no noise found when the wind passes through the space of the installation’s structure; During the day, the temperature of Cocoon’s pipe walls is 1-2 °C higher than the outdoor temperature. The temperature of the inner chamber of the pipe is 5 °C (or 12 °C at noon on a sunny day) higher than the outdoor temperature. The heat collected from the inner chamber of the pipes can be used for indoor heating.

Testing Equipment: Temperature Sensor, illumination sensor and wind sensor
Computer Program: CFD Simulation Software