Biomimetics Pop Up Yet Again...

Though there is no obligation to integrate biomimetics into the final project, the concept is useful as a leading precedent given the relative lack of familiarity with arid climate design.  Biomimetics allows students to leverage millions of years of evolution as a guide for the efficiencies and strategies that may be integrated in contemporary design application.
A few notable examples in light of the interim reviews:

Super-dense Spider Webs in Pakistan
In light of the flooding in this country, apparently millions of spiders have sought refuge and food sources in trees which has prompted quite a dense web network to emerge in the foliage of trees.  Similar to tent caterpillars, these spiders have created interesting substructures that also play with opacity and light control.

Bone Lattices
Many of you have already looked to bone structures and the efficiency of the macrolevel configurations that vertabrates have, however the latticework of the interior is worth reiterating.  The lattice within some bones (most notably birds) is not only an alternative to reduce mass in a bone structure, but also potentially serves as inspiration for cladding.  The lattice of voids in a swath is controlled within bone structures - variable opacities are addressed via densities.  Attractor points and parametrics would likely come into play...