Analysis and development of an adaptive façade system integrated on a multi-storey office building

Building envelope design plays a key role in energy performance and sustainability considering the thermal, lighting, acoustic and visual comfort, as well as aesthetics, economics and durability. Adaptive building envelopes can provide a real-time process of reconfiguration enlivening the environmental performance compared to conventional static building envelopes. Adaptive systems may be further developed for direct application on building façades, in order to provide control of natural lighting, ventilation and temperature of the inner spaces through their own transformability, surface openings and materials. Relevant adaptive shading systems in context are outlined in the current paper. By extent, an adaptive shading system integrated in a multi-storey office building is taken as example, to improve the building energy performance with dynamic behavior over time. Shading systems and vegetation further protect the interiors of the building from overheating. The southwest elevation overlooking the main road is protected by deciduous trees plant on the ground, and plants in linear pots are placed all along each floor. Shade elements also mitigate the traffic noise along the western artery and screen it visually. The adaptive façade design is based on the daylight performance with respect to the local sun paths, local climate and internal loads of the building. This is achieved by mechanically controlling the orientation of the vertical panels and the embedded louvers. Optimization and effectiveness of the external shading system is succeeded through its ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions.