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Responding to Nature in the IMU Biddle Hotel

We were prompted to use biophilic design principles into our renovation design of the IMU Biddle Hotel lobby. I decided to use a concept that involves responding to nature. A sundial on a mosaic wall lets the sun show visitors the time. This wall is also a trombé wall, facing south, it traps heat from solar rays to slowly release it later as it keeps the building comfortable. Breatheable wall facades allow natural air flow across the lobby. Finally, the second floor will feature response-projectors to rain. When it is raining, sensors in the roof of the building will turn on projectors in the ceiling that will display an image of raindrops on the surfaces of the lounge tables. All of these features are meant to make people more connected to and aware of the environment that we live in. 

Existing Design
My responses: 

Breathable façade on curtain walls helps air circulation.

Trombé wall facing south absorbs solar rays and releases heat later.

Rain-sensored projections on tables on second floor.

Runner-up in the 2016 National Daltile Design Competition

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