This facade concept addresses heavy rainfall by acting as a water-buffering sponge that absorbs, stores, and recycles water to reduce drainage loads and provide cooling, improving sustainability and resilience against climate change.
Organization
TU Delft, Bucky Lab
Project information
The idea for our facade stemmed from the problem of heavy rainfall and over-stressed drainage infrastructure. The general aim of the new facade is to hold and move water along the facade to reduce the amount of water entering the system in one go; in other words, a water buffer. To achieve this we have designed facade elements that work as a literal sponge, saturating and holding onto water. This water can be collected and recycled, reapplying it to the facade to cool it down in the warmer months. The façade’s ability to recycle water and lower building energy consumption enhances its sustainability. Our product has, for the most part, achieved the design brief by offering a sustainable façade solution that addresses a pressing issue intensified by the impacts of climate change.