A Breathing Building Skin

Natural ventilation should always be the first option when attempting to deliver fresh air due to its low energy requirements. However, its implementation depends on the presence of certain atmospheric, environmental, and programmatic conditions. Not meeting these conditions or occupants not operating a building properly can cause a building to become over concentrated with CO2, creating an environment which negatively affects occupant comfort and respiratory health. The O2Flux ventilation system offers an alternative to the noisy, forceful use of fans.

The O2Flux ventilation system uses a series of diaphragms for moving air, functioning in the same way as our lungs where a volume of air is displaced through the expansion and contraction of a flexible form. A single diaphragm in the system is only able to move a small quantity of air but when many diaphragms are distributed across a large area their performance can exceed that of a fan. The diaphragm’s geometry allows it to be economically be cut and folded from a single sheet of material. A small inflatable bladder, located in a fold of the diaphragm, expands the diaphragm while stresses in the folds cause it to contract.

O2Flux moves air with little noise and energy, and can be configured for a variety of settings. One option is to nest the diaphragms within the interior side of a space frame structure. The volume of air within the space frame structure is used to create an air plenum which can be increased and decreased through the actuation of the diaphragms. The plenum opens up to the interior or exterior environment of the building, allowing air to be inhaled or exhaled. The O2Flux system can also be designed as a unitized system that can be inserted within a double skin facade system.