Improving the Outer Shell of the Form Using the Characteristics of Human Skin

Human skin can be identified by its three main layers. The thickness of the epidermis as the first layer of the skin varies in different parts of the body and its main constituent cells are keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells. Merkel cells act as tactile receptors in this area (2). Keratinocytes have desmosomes that are drawn between epidermal cells and resist mechanical stress because of their hyper-adhesive characteristics. In melanocytes, there are organs called melanosomes, in which the process of melaninization takes place. Differences in the number, size, and distribution of melanosomes cause skin discoloration, and factors such as sunlight and stress stimulate melanocytes to produce melanosomes (3). Langerhans cells are among the keratinocytes, and these cells originate from the monocytes of the bone marrow and play an important role in delayed allergic reactions. Thus, the epidermal layer is a layer of the skin that acts as a barrier against environmental conditions and contamination. This layer is responsible for the synthesis of lipids and factors that counteract free radicals such as vitamins E and C.

The dermis layer is five to seven times thicker than the epidermis and is attached to it by a basement membrane. The dermis is made up of a thick communicative membrane. It is a network of blood and lymph capillaries, nerve, and sensory fibers and their terminals, collagen, and elastin protein fibers (4). Hair follicles, blood capillaries, fat glands, and sweat glands are also found in this layer. This layer strengthens the skin tissue, creates elasticity and plasticity, and protects the skin against physical damage (5). Figure 1 shows an example of a rabbit’s skin being stretched. The elasticity of the skin prevents it from complete disintegration, makes it last longer, and prevents it from expansion, damage, and weakness. The third layer of the skin is the hypodermis, which connects the skin to muscle tissue. This layer, with the abundance of fat cells, has a lot of elasticity. It also plays a very important role in maintaining blood capillaries and neural terminals (6).

On the other hand, the form of skin cells called squamous cells is an interesting pattern found in the cellular tissue of many microorganisms. The same pattern can be seen in the micro dimensions in nature (clay cracks after drying) and is a manifestation of fractal geometry. This hexagonal pattern was first discovered in the cellular systems of the human skin by the Italian mathematician Voronoi, and it can be drawn in two and three dimensions. In summarizing the practicable characteristics of the human skin in architecture, the following characteristics can be briefly mentioned (Figure 2).

The pattern of the human skin, or the Voronoi pattern, has been used in some scientific sources and projects. The Voronoi pattern consists of a spatial space filled by continuously discrete convex polygons without overlapping. It is the same as the squamous cell pattern. The pattern can be applied in two-dimensional and three-dimensional drawing and was discovered by the Italian mathematician Veronoi. Applying the Voronoi pattern, as a model for structural and architectural design, can eliminate problems such as loss of comfort of residents, destruction, and corrosion of structural and non-structural elements, energy consumption for ventilation, etc. Similar to the skin, it presents a smart surface to respond the structural necessities. Figure 3 shows the Voronoi model and C wall project with soft borders. Figure 4 illustrates two design projects inspired by the Voronoi model of the human skin.

According to its specifications, the skin is thicker in areas that are more prone to mechanical damage, and the thickness of the skin is proportional to the function of each organ and the requirements of each part of the body to protect itself. These features can be generalized to shells, and this can be the first point for their optimal design; the more concentrated the stress, the thicker the shell, and where it is less likely to be stressed, there is less thickness (6). In the case of keratinocyte cells, which are cells with water reserves like most of the cells, the production of new keratinocyte cells brings the previous cells closer to the outer surface and as close as possible to the outermost layer of the skin. By decreasing the water supply for these cells, they become denser to the point that they completely lose their water content and turn into dead cells. The layering structure of this tissue, its condensation, and movement the inside to outside layers create an insulating and protective tissue for younger cells. Squalene, an oil found in dead cells, also helps remove impurities and reduce the effects of natural pollutants on the body. This function and pattern in the epidermis layer of the skin can also be used in the design of walls to have both filtering property and protective function against air pollution. The presence of abundant fat cells in the hypodermic layer has given a lot of elasticity and plasticity to the human skin. This capability can be used in the design of shells with the ability to close the arms, elastic structures, etc. There is another type of deformation in the human skin that, if you bite your hand, its effect will be left on the skin, but will disappear in a short time. This reformation is also due to the tightness in the adipose tissue of the skin and causes elasticity and self-healing, which is very important in buildings and smart materials. One of the inspirations from skin elasticity is in designing smart alloys. Another one is to create elasticity in materials or a set of external shell mechanisms so that they deform against incoming forces while, after removing the force, they again back to their original forms. In smart alloys, the mechanism is clear, but in the elastic mechanism, we can use a variety of dampers and springs and elastic joints.

The skin of the human body begins to produce melanin in the presence of sunlight, and this is a reaction of the skin, which undergoes hypercoloration to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation in the light. Various emotional behaviors such as fear, embarrassment, and stress may also change the skin color. The mechanism of this reaction can be used in the design of building facades and is effective in distributing the received radiation and ambient temperature, especially exposed in the more radiation side of the building, and it creates more uniform conditions in the overall construction form. This can be performed by selecting smart materials that can change color in the body of the facades, while providing more uniform conditions in the shell, causing variety and beauty in the exterior of the shell (7). Examples of these materials can be pointed to photochromic and thermochromic materials that change color in the face of different radiations or thermal conditions. In response to external changes such as ambient temperature, some mechanisms are activated on the surface of the skin that can help maintain body temperature by closing and opening the pores of the skin surface. Of course, in this process, skin surface secretions, such as sweat gland secretions, also play an important role in lowering the body temperature. This mindset has also been used to control the radiation entering the building, internal heat, greenhouse conditions, and generation of airflow inside the shell. Skin pores can be used for air purification and dehumidification mechanisms. This is a mechanism that can be useful and efficient today to overcome the industrialization and air pollution challenges in cities. The covering tissues of human skin can be classified into two forms: simple and stratified. These different cellular arrangements in human skin are effective in insulating (thermal) and skin thickness. This type of makeup can be used in the design of thermal insulation of buildings in different climatic conditions and even fronts.

Therefore, it can be suggested that by imitating different patterns in the human skin, it is possible to identify and apply three categories, including protective patterns, adaptability patterns, and smart patterns in the building. Protective patterns with a variable thickness protect the internal components by diverse layers, with different densities comprising various filters to prevent the entrance of environmental pollution to the form, protecting it against radiation and external mechanical forces. Adaptability patterns include elasticity and ductility due to dynamic forces, and surface layer changes for adaptation to climate changes, such as temperature and humidity; in other words, it means the ability to change the mode for adapting to new conditions while considering the least changes in optimal conditions. In smart models, we can point to the ability to self-repair, warn of changes, injuries, and diseases, change management, and adaptation. Table 1 shows skin specifications and their capabilities in architecture.