NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE

Historically human have lived in extremely varied technology or

environment and have had to adapt to comfort habitats and thus the
architects have had to manage the ideal of design as well as incorporate
the evolutionary technology. Technology has evolved to a level where it is
too complex. Sometimes satisfying the need of the user and sometimes
becoming too dangerous when the negative consequences are not taken
care of. The use and control of the technology at an atomic or particle scale
known as nanotechnology has started to have its impact like never before
in materials of constructions and has immense futurist impact in
architecture, this application of the nanotechnology and nanomaterials in
architecture is NanoArchitecture.

How does nano (technology, materials, science, concept, form and function)
become important to the level of influencing architects (designers).?

Nanotechnology is developed in the manner that it is active or passive, this

repartition will lead us to a large study but our focus will rely on the relation
passive - active nanostructure and application of nanotechnology in a
building design and construction. Passive nanotechnologies, such as
nanocoatings, nanoparticles, and nanostructured materials, are already
available. Second generation active nanostructures, for example,
nanoelectro-mechanical systems, nanomachines, self-healing materials, and
targeted chemicals, can evolve their properties, structure and/or state
during their operation. This could increase nanotechnology's impacts and
require new approaches for risk assessment. Active nanostructures are likely
to have a different and increased profile of impacts (including benefits as
well as potential risks) compared with passive nanotechnologies.

They can be metals, ceramics, polymers or composites. Known as

nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs),
the method of making these materials begins at the molecular or atomic
level, sometimes creating new products with extraordinary physical and
chemical properties. For example, a carbon nanotube has strength of 150
times that of steel but is approximately six times lighter. Besides strength
enhancement, properties can include self-cleaning, super hardness,
electrical conductivity, antimicrobial superior thermal resistance and
stability, non-flammability, lightweight, anti-corrosion, superior barrier, light
emitting and low permeability, among others. Applications in the building
industry include use as fire retardants, high performance insulation,
protective coatings, equipment lubricants, structural integrity enhancement
and monitoring, photovoltaic, stronger tensile cables, and self-cleaning or
heat absorbing windows ( CFN, 2011 )… Using these materials which
contain extraordinary application in the building can also bring amazing
influences to the architect, designer or the design. Therefore apart from
attempting to understand the transformation that the nanotechnology
brings to our building there is a need to understand by students the uses of
nanotechnology for creating better design.

''NANOTECHNOLOGY: THE SCIENCE CHANGING YOUR LIFE'' Penny Sarchet

Nanotechnology is a relatively recent development in scientific research but

not new. The level of its study and diversity has involved touching now
many sector of life and becoming more and more known by the public.