Smart Skin. Individualising the form of an ecological building

Contemporary ecological buildings have no formal attributes that distinguish them from "standard" architecture. What is more - due to the requirements of the construction law regarding energy efficiency, currently designed buildings almost always are equipped with technologies or elements that could be described as "green" or "health promoting". The aim of the article is to check whether this thesis is indeed true. The subject of the analysis are facades - the element with the greatest impact on the shape of the building. The innovative functions fulfilled by these structures were analysed. The examples - depending on the function performed - were divided into groups: energy production, pollution absorption, thermal energy storage, response to environmental conditions and the use of recycled materials. Relatively common and experimental technologies were considered. One of the tasks of the article is an attempt to determine whether, in relation to the mentioned technologies, it is possible to assess their direct impact on the health of the inhabitants. Final conclusions were drawn on the basis of a comparison of the characteristic parameters and the environmental impact of smart skin façades.