Breathescapes : Transforming Skies - June Session 🌎💚

Where Architecture Meets Clean Air, One Building at a Time! 🏢🌱

Design Contest 

Introduction : 

Welcome to Breathescapes, a groundbreaking initiative that brings together the power of architecture and environmental sustainability to combat the pervasive issue of smog. In an era where air pollution poses a significant threat to our well-being, our project strives to

Create a breath of fresh air amidst urban landscape.



​​​​​​​VR EXPERIENCE

About Breathescapes:

Breathescapes is an innovative project that focuses on the concept of smog-eating buildings. These buildings are designed to actively reduce air pollution and improve the quality of the surrounding environment.

Traditional buildings contribute to air pollution through various factors, such as emissions from heating and cooling systems, transportation, and construction materials. However, Breathescapes aims to revolutionize this approach by integrating advanced technologies and sustainable design principles.

Smog-eating buildings employ specialized materials on their exterior surfaces that have the ability to capture pollutants from the air. These materials contain a photocatalytic coating that reacts with sunlight to break down harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter.

By harnessing the power of natural light and utilizing the photocatalytic properties of the building materials, smog-eating buildings initiate a chemical reaction that converts harmful pollutants into harmless substances. This process effectively reduces the concentration of pollutants in the surrounding air and contributes to improving air quality.

Breathescapes envisions a future where cities are dotted with these innovative structures, creating cleaner and healthier urban environments. By implementing smog-eating buildings, we can actively combat the detrimental effects of air pollution, minimize health risks, and promote sustainability in our built environment.

The Breathescapes project strives to inspire architects, engineers, and urban planners to adopt similar principles in their designs, fostering a global movement towards cleaner air and more sustainable cities. By incorporating smog-eating technologies into our buildings, we can transform our urban landscapes into vibrant, eco-friendly spaces where people can thrive while breathing easier



The Working :


Smog-eating buildings, like those found in the Breathescapes project, operate by leveraging a special coating applied to their outer surfaces. This coating contains a photocatalytic compound, typically titanium dioxide (TiO2), which acts as a catalyst.


When exposed to sunlight, this photocatalytic coating initiates a chemical reaction. By interacting with the pollutants present in the air, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from sources like vehicles and industries, the catalyst breaks them down into harmless substances.


The process continues as long as there is sunlight available, enabling the smog-eating buildings to continuously purify the air and reduce the concentration of pollutants in their surroundings.


It is essential to note that smog-eating buildings are not a standalone solution for addressing air pollution. They are most effective when integrated as part of a comprehensive approach that includes emission reduction strategies and other sustainable practices.


In summary, smog-eating buildings make a significant impact on combating air pollution by utilizing sunlight and a photocatalytic coating to break down harmful pollutants, ultimately enhancing the quality of the air we breathe.


The chemical reaction involved in the process of smog-eating buildings, facilitated by the photocatalytic coating on their surfaces, can be represented as follows:


1. Conversion of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx):

   2NOx + TiO2 + UV light → 2NO + TiO2 + O2


In this reaction, nitrogen oxides (NOx) present in the air, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), react with the photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) and UV light. The result is the conversion of nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen (N2) gas and oxygen (O2).


2. Decomposition of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

   VOC + TiO2 + UV light → CO2 + H2O + TiO2


In this reaction, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, which are commonly emitted from sources like vehicle exhaust and industrial processes, react with the photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) and UV light. The result is the decomposition of VOCs into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), which are harmless byproducts.


It's important to note that the actual chemical reactions involved may be more complex and can vary depending on the specific pollutants and photocatalytic materials used in the smog-eating building technology. The reactions mentioned above provide a simplified representation of the general process.


Renders :





Design Data :

The file has been divided in to two parts as it was exceeding the size limit

Conclusion :

In conclusion, Breathescapes and the concept of smog-eating buildings offer a promising solution to the pervasive issue of air pollution. By combining innovative design, advanced technologies, and photocatalytic coatings, these buildings actively combat pollutants, improving the quality of the surrounding air. They serve as beacons of sustainability, demonstrating the potential for architecture to contribute positively to our environment. While smog-eating buildings are not a sole solution to air pollution, they play a vital role in a comprehensive approach that includes emission reductions and sustainable practices. The vision of Breathescapes is to inspire a global movement towards cleaner, healthier cities, where the structures themselves actively contribute to a more sustainable and breathable future. With smog-eating buildings, we can envision a world where architecture and clean air coexist harmoniously, creating a legacy of improved air quality for generations to come.

Team Members :

@HB @PR ​​​​​​​@AC 

​​​​​​​