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Accepted manuscript

Explosive Façades: Translating Plant Mechanics into Rapid Hygroscopic Actuation for Adaptive Building Envelopes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2026

Bridget Reynolds Open the ORCID record for Bridget Reynolds [Opens in a new window] ,
Thomas Coleman ,
Jasleen Matharu ,
Elena Vazquez ,
Linnea Hesse  and
David Correa
Bridget Reynolds*
Affiliation:
School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, Cambridge, N1S 2H4, ON, Canada
Thomas Coleman
Affiliation:
School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, Cambridge, N1S 2H4, ON, Canada
Jasleen Matharu
Affiliation:
School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, Cambridge, N1S 2H4, ON, Canada
Elena Vazquez
Affiliation:
Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå University, Umeå, 903 33, Sweden
Linnea Hesse
Affiliation:
Institute for Wood Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, 22609, Germany
David Correa
Affiliation:
School of Architecture, University of Waterloo, Cambridge, N1S 2H4, ON, Canada
*
*Author for correspondence. Email: bsreynolds@uwaterloo.ca
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Abstract

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Adaptive architectural envelopes play an increasing role in mediating environmental performance while reducing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical systems, motivating renewed interest in materially driven, climate-responsive façade technologies. Although hygroscopic climate-adaptive passive actuators present an energy-efficient alternative to conventional electromechanical actuators, their dependence on slow, continuous deformation inhibits rapid, threshold-driven kinetic responses to environmental stimuli. This pictorial presents a series of prototypal design explorations for a biomimetic façade system inspired by the explosive seed release mechanism of Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam), translating its dehiscent behaviour for energy accumulation and release into a hygroscopic architectural module capable of rapid state change without the use of motors or sensors.

Keywords

dehiscencehimalayan balsamhygroscopicfaçadeprototyping

Information

Type
Pictorial: Biodesign Conference
Information
Biotechnology Design , Accepted manuscript , pp. 1 - 11
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press