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> BIOFACE
Towards Low-Carbon Resilient Building Envelopes: Development and Seismic Testing of Bio-based Facade solutions
Low-Carbon Seismic Resilient Façade Technologies
Project duration
May 2025 – Apr 2026
Principal TU Delft researchers
Dr. Simona Bianchi and Prof. Mauro Overend
Collaborators
Eckersley O’ Callaghan,
University of Salento,
Arup,
Dow Silicones,
Permasteelisa Group,
NPSP
About
The urgent need for resilient eco-friendly buildings is a key societal challenge, with the construction sector playing a major role in both climate change mitigation and public safety. Building envelopes significantly influence energy efficiency and, in earthquake-prone regions, are critical to structural performance. Damage to envelopes during seismic events can compromise functionality, safety and sustainability goals.
BIOFACE addresses this challenge by testing and developing low-carbon resilient envelopes using bio-based materials. The project promotes sustainable, low-damage facade and partition systems designed for enhanced seismic resilience and end-of-life circularity through standardized plug-and-play connections. It aims to catalyse the uptake of these systems across the European construction industry. Key components include:
(i) Experimental testing of conventional and carbon-reduced glazed/ventilated facades and partitions to assess seismic performance; (ii) Generation of new fragility data to support integration into loss models; (iii) Development of design guidelines for engineers and architects to adopt low-carbon, resilient solutions.
BIOFACE brings together a multidisciplinary academic-industry team with expertise in materials, design, modeling and testing. A world-first shake-table test of bio-based building envelopes will provide pioneering evidence. The project’s outcomes will be widely disseminated to technical and non-technical audiences, paving the way for broader adoption of sustainable resilient construction practices.
Funded by
ERIES (Engineering Research Infrastructures for European Synergies) - Horizon Europe (101058684)
Contact
Dr. Simona Bianchi
+39 3288049464