Dynamic façade

Buildings account for a substantial portion of global energy consumption, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for approximately 40% of the buildings’ energy consumption. A building façade, with HVAC, has a great influence on the internal environment. An optimization of the façade design and operation can help improve building energy efficiency.

In recent years, naturally ventilated glass façades have become a common feature in the design and retrofit of large-scale non-residential buildings, integrating architectural aesthetics and energy efficiency. These façade systems are complex and multifaceted. Thus, introducing them in buildings poses many challenges from economic, engineering, health and behavioural perspectives that can reduce optimal building performance. Building occupant behaviour and preferences are important contributors to the gap between the predicted and actual building energy performance.