Adaptive Textile Shading System for Facades with Integrated Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)
The research project ADAPTEX investigates the potential of using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) for an adaptive sun shading textile in architecture. By incorporating SMA as an actuator into a textile structure, the surface permeability adapts in response to temperature, adjusting parameters like light transmission and reflection. Under high solar radiation, the system adapts to block incoming sunlight and regulate solar heat gain. During low solar radiation, the surface remains open to provide natural light and views.
ADAPTEX i-Mesh consists of two identical layers of a multiaxial non-woven textile with a perforated pattern. These two layers are aligned in front of each other, allowing daylight to permeate. When activated, one of the layers slides upwards. As the screens are no longer aligned, the permeability of the overall surface decreases. When the temperature drops, the self-weight of the textile ensures it moves back to its original position. Alternatively, the system can also be triggered by a short electrical impulse.
SMAs are manufactured metals that can act as both sensors and actuators. Due to molecular phase changes, they can take on two different states. At a predefined temperature, they will return to their original shape. In the form of thin wires, SMAs are very strong relative to their weight and diameter. They require less space and resources compared to motorized actuators. SMAs are silent, corrosion-free, and durable, with up to more than 30,000 movement cycles. Until now, the use of SMA for architectural applications has been very limited.
ADAPTEX i-Mesh is fabricated from durable, high-performance textiles that have been tested and proven suitable for facade applications. The exterior-facing layer is made from glass fiber to reflect incoming sunlight and regulate the energetic impact. The interior-facing layer is made from darker basalt fiber, which enhances visibility from the inside due to higher contrast. The pattern of the multiaxial grid that defines the openness factor can be parametrically adapted to the specific requirements of different buildings, locations, and design intents. The parametric tool enables adjustment to specific application requirements such as illuminance level, glare protection, shading effect, facade size, and module position.
ADAPTEX was developed by an interdisciplinary project team from architecture, textile design, facade engineering, and material research. The system has been tested at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, demonstrating g-value, transmittance, and reflectance properties suitable for high-performance sun shading. It is currently being tested as a full-scale facade module outdoors at the German University of Technology in Muscat, Oman. ADAPTEX provides an adaptive and sustainable design solution. It efficiently prevents the overheating of interior spaces and drastically reduces energy consumption in manufacture, installation, and operation compared to similar systems using motors. Since the adaptive facade is activated automatically by ambient temperature, no electricity is required for its operation.
ADAPTEX was honored by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) at a conference in Chicago as the 2022 Award of Excellence Winner in the Innovation category.
Project Team
Weissensee School of Art and Design Berlin, Berlin DE: Prof. Christiane Sauer, Maxie Schneider, Ebba Fransén Waldhör
Priedemann Facade Experts, Großbeeren / Berlin DE: Paul-Rouven Denz, Puttakhun Vongsingha, Natchai Suwannapruk, Jens Böke
Project Funding Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF Innovationsnetzwerk smart³ Zwanzig20 – Partnerschaft für Innovation
Collaboration
The research projects ADAPTEX and ADAPTEX KLIMA+ (2017-2022) were a collaboration between Weißensee School of Art and Design, Priedemann Facade-Lab GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Carl Stahl ARC GmbH, Verseidag-Indutex GmbH, ITP GmbH, SGS Ingenieurdienstleistungen im Bauwesen GmbH, and i-Mesh.
