The energy performance of glazed office buildings with double skin facades - BESTFACADE

Many modern office buildings have highly glazed facades.Their energy efficiency and indoor climate is, however, being questioned. Therefore more and more of these buildings are being built with double skin facades,which can provide improvements: a thermal bufferzone, energy savings, wind protection with open windows, fire protection, aesthetics, solar preheating of ventilation air, sound protection, nocturnal cooling and a site for incorporation of PV cells. However not all moderndouble skin facades perform well.A project BESTFACADE, was therefore partially (50 %) financed by the European Commission to promote well-performing concepts of double skin facades. The paper summarizes the best practice guidelines.