Ball State University Center for the Environment : 4th year Capstone Project : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

The natural environment functions in a sustainable way. To move towards a more efficient built environment, we need to reflect on how nature does it first. This project focuses on systems similar to a phototropic sunflower. With the technology available today, we can embrace and design similar systems to work more effectively.With my thesis I want to investigate technology and natural systems. The natural environment functions in a sustainable way. To move towards a more efficient built environment, we need to reflect on how nature does it first. With the technology available today, we can design similar systems to work more effectively. I am interested in systems similar to a heliotropic sunflower. Using new technologies, louvers, sunshades, and photovoltaic panels could move based on the sun’s angle and movement—maximizing their efficiency. The Center for the Environment at Ball State is a great way to explore how to incorporate these systems into new architecture.