BIO-INTEGRATED ADAPTIVE FAÇADES FOR CLIMATE-RESPONSIVE RETROFIT IN MEDITERRANEAN AND BALKAN CITIES: A THEORETICAL AND SIMULATIONBASED APPROACH

This study conceptually explores the potential of bio-integrated adaptive façade systems as passive design solutions for the sustainable retrofit of residential buildings in Tirana, Albania. The research is framed within the broader context of ongoing climate transitions and urban heat island effects documented in the Western Balkans, with Tirana experiencing critical peaks in surface temperatures and CO₂ concentrations in dense urban areas. The proposed system combines two bio-based materials - mycelium insulation panels and semi-transparent alginate membranes - integrated into a passive, low-tech façade prototype designed for Mediterranean climates. The potential performance of the system was assessed through a parametric design approach, informed by environmental simulation workflows typically conducted with tools such as EnergyPlus and Radiance via Ladybug Tools. However, no automated simulations were directly performed; instead, the evaluation relied on analytical estimations based on validated energy balance equations and daylighting models available in the literature. The study highlights the relevance of biologically responsive materials in supporting low-carbon retrofit strategies, particularly in resource-constrained urban