Multifunctional building component

1. A multifunctional building component comprising

a structural element;

a color-changing element;

an insulation element to limit heat transfer; and

an energy-harvesting element, an optional energy storage element, and an energy distribution element.

2. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage element.

3. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 further comprising an energy distribution element.

4. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the structural element is an insulating glass unit.

5. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the color-changing element is an absorptive material and a color of the color-changing element results from absorption of incident light by the absorptive material.

6. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the color-changing element is a reflective material and a color of the color-changing element results from reflection of incident light by the reflective material.

7. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the color-changing element is a diffusive material and a color of the color-changing element results from diffusion of incident light by the diffusive material.

8. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the color-changing element and the energy distribution element are combined into a single element of an energy radiating material and a color of the single element results from radiation of absorbed incident light by the energy radiating material.

9. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the energy-harvesting and energy-storing elements harvest and store electrical energy.

10. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the energy-harvesting and energy-storing elements harvest and store thermal energy.

11. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the energy-harvesting element and the energy-storing element are combined as a single photoluminescent material.

12. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the energy distribution element distributes electrical energy.

13. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the energy distribution element comprises an optical lighting system.

14. The multifunctional building component of claim 1 , wherein the energy distribution element comprises a thermal radiator.

15. A multifunctional building component comprising

a structural element;

an insulation element capable of serving as a bandblock filter;

a color-changing element capable of serving as one or more of an optical attenuator, an optical downconverter, or an energy harvesting element;

an energy storage element for storage of light, heat, electrical, or vibration energy; and

an energy distribution element for distribution of light, heat, electrical, or vibration energy from the energy storage element, wherein

a color state of the color-changing element, under control of an external control signal, is used to regulate a flow of energy into the energy storage element and to regulate a release of energy through the energy distribution element in the form of heat, light, electricity, or vibration.

16. The multifunctional building component of claim 15 , wherein the color-changing element is thermochromic.

17. The multifunctional building component of claim 15 , wherein the color-changing element is electrochromic.

18. The multifunctional building component of claim 15 , wherein the energy storage element and the energy distribution element are combined into a single element that stores and releases thermal energy.

19. The multifunctional building component of claim 15 , wherein the external control signal is optical, electrical, magnetic, or thermal.

20. The multifunctional building component of claim 15 , wherein the structural element is an insulating glass unit.