The project “Climate Active Envelopes” explores how multi-layered building systems can be reconceived as mono-material, climate-responsive envelopes, made possible through the integration of computational modelling, geometric differentiation, and robotic fabrication. The project proposes a brick-based approach in which standard-format bricks with varying material and geometric properties are combined into a functionally differentiated, yet materially coherent building envelope.

An integrated design-to-fabrication workflow links architectural design, climate analysis, and robotic fabrication at full scale. Based on site-specific solar data, geometrically differentiated brick assemblies are generated within a Flemish bond, zoned with uniform-format bricks with different properties. Subtle rotations produce self-shading facade surfaces that reduce solar heat gain while articulating a performative architectural expression.

A full-scale demonstrator, realised through human–robot collaboration, combines precise robotic brick placement with the manual craft of mortar jointing. Field measurements indicate reduced surface temperatures compared to a flat reference wall, confirming measurable self-shading effects under real site conditions. The project demonstrates how mono-material construction, informed by climate data and enabled by robotic fabrication, can form a scalable approach to climate-responsive building envelopes. 

Collaborators

• Professorship of Digital Fabrication
  School of Engineering and Design
  Technical University of Munich
  Dipl. Ing. Julia Fleckenstein
  Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dörfler
• studiomolter
  Prof. Dr. Philipp Molter
• Climateflux
  Prof. Dr. Daniele Santucci
• Leipfinger Bader
   

Contributors

• Bauinnung München-Ebersberg
  Dipl.-Ing. Laura Lammel, Markus Bruckner, Dipl.-Ing. Sebastian Posselt 

Acknowledgment

• Doctoral Researcher: Begüm Saral, M.A.
• Student Assistant: André Großmann, M.A.
• Masonry apprentices: Dragan Stanojevic, Severin Schlagenhaufer, Benjamin Ballasko
• Bauinnung München-Ebersberg: Stephan Feldmeier and Jeremias Bäumler, B.eng.

Funding

• Bayerische Transformations- und Forschungsstiftung (2022 - 2025) 

Video

• TUMProLehre‬