An Architecturally Optimized Mono-nitrogen Oxide Reducing Modular Photo-catalytic Concrete Skin

This research leverages the large surface areas of southern facing building facades to chemically neutralize mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx) via a modular photo-catalytic concrete brise-soleil / rainscreen system. Modular panel designs were tested via both physical and digital models in order to optimize the performance of four criteria: 1. ultraviolet radiation (solar) collection, 2. NOx neutralization through windspeed reduction and particle trapping, 3. phospholuminescent potential, and 4. additional micro-climactic mitigating properties such as shading, precipitation disbursement, and thermal storage. Two versions of the modular panel forms were developed, one for climates with large diurnal temperature shifts that leverage the benefits of concrete’s thermal mass to create microclimate, and one for small diurnal swing climates which minimizes the thermal mass performance.