Microalgae bio-reactive façade: biotechnological, building, and indoor environmental indicators in contrasted climate zones, the US as a numerical case study
Abstract
This work investigates microalgae biofaçade performance in a holistic manner (biotechnological productivity, building energy use, indoor environmental indicators). These investigations are led using a thermal-biological model and weather data obtained from NREL over the years 2019 to 2023. To challenge the different findings, four locations, in four different US climate zones, are considered: Burlington, Vermont (6 A, cold-humid), Orlando, Florida (2 A, hot-humid), Missoula, Montana (6B, cold-dry) and Phoenix, Arizona (2B, hot-dry). Both office building and household implementations are covered, with South and North orientations. Hot regions allow for almost doubling microalgae production (from about 2.5 to 5 kg/year/module, South orientation). From a thermal standpoint, biofaçade modules offer a slight advantage compared to conventional double-glazing in the case of an office building implementation. This difference (0.42 ± 0.07 GJ/year/module) is consistent across climate zones and is mainly driven by the summer shading effect offer by the microalgae. Regarding indoor illumination, microalgae development is perceivable by occupants’ as a culture spans from 6 to 30 days (consistent for all the climate zones). Finally, biofaçade modules can improve indoor relative humidity comfort climate-wise. While irrelevant in 6 A and 2 A zones, it is worth considering in 6B zones, and very pertinent in 2B zones, as it drives adequate humidity moments from 19.7% to 62.5% of the time.
Publication Title
Building and Environment
Recommended Citation
Pozzobon, V., Ahmadi, F., Karimi, M., & Nazari, R. (2026). Microalgae bio-reactive façade: biotechnological, building, and indoor environmental indicators in contrasted climate zones, the US as a numerical case study. Building and Environment, 296 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2026.114554
