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Breathing Windows

A heat-responsive programmable system that integrates embedded nichrome resistance to drive controlled thermal deformation for climate-adaptive roofing and façade assemblies. The bilayer material’s differential expansion enables reversible opening, shading, or venting in response to low-power electrical input, providing on-demand control independent of passive temperature swings. Patterned heating zones allow localized actuation across panels, enabling dynamic tuning of daylight, solar gain, and airflow. The system is modular and scalable, compatible with prefabricated envelope components, and designed for low energy consumption, durability, and straightforward maintenance in real building deployments using stimuli-responsive programmable materials.

Responsive material

LLDPE / PET is commonly used for coffee grounds packaging for its heat sealing capabilities.

Digital Fabrication with WASTE!

We began by collecting coffee bags and creating different geometries for play

Material response test

Small bits of coffee bag plastic were placed on a hot plate - testing both sides of it - to understand the compression and expansion properties.

Material findings

Black side contracts and silver expands!

Re-use?

The same test was conducted multiple times with the same bits of material to check for its long-lasting strength and breaking point.

Why nichrome wire?

It's everywhere! It's the most commonly used heating element. Due to its high electrical resistance, nichrome wire generates intense heat when electric current passes through it, making it ideal for quick heat generation with low current.

Testing on uncoiled wire

Coiled wire typically has more surface area for heat generation and it was important to check if the same effect could be achieved with straight wires.

Voltage Monitoring

All safety measures were taken and voltage was increased gradually through the process.

Nichrome + Coffee Bags

Finally, the two materials were put together - to enable one to manipulate the other.

Temperature Monitoring

Two temperature testing wires were attached on either end of the nichrome wire to monitor the temperature at which the coffee bag would bend without burning - it was roughly 110 - 120 °F!

Another Challenge - Joinery!

We tried several different connection mechanisms - specifically with tape but the bending motion was too intense for the tape to hold!

L-shape tape also NOT enough!

Having tape on two sides was also not enough to hold the material! This was critical to design a flexible system that allows desired movement.

Weaving & Taping - FAIL

Both these strategies either failed to allow clean movement or stay in place during motion.

Non-conductive thread Stitch - SUCCESS

The thread was able to hold the material in place while also allowing for flexible movement. The thread has a mild stretching properties and does not interfere with the heat/current in the system.

A programmable system

Once all parts were tested and assembled, bigger systems were conceived - for facade and roof!

Single layer system test

A 2 x 4 grid to test the flow of current and proof of concept.

Multi-layer system

Construction of larger systems affected the voltage calculations. However, it allowed for further ideation and design with the process.

Final Exhibition Day!

A live demo and the smell of coffee in coffee bags == success!

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