122: Intelligent facades in hot climates: energy and comfort strategies for successful application

Facades are crucial to energy consumption and comfort in buildings. Incorporating intelligence in their design is an effective way to achieve low energy buildings. However, careful planning must be involved to reach satisfactory savings and user acceptance. The article examines the design process itself, as key to produce energy efficient buildings. Three strategies are examined: the first is dependence on active systems and element performance, the second implements intelligent passive design strategies only, while the third combines passive design strategies with early integration of active elements. Their impact on energy performance and visual comfort are compared. Although early combination of active elements and climatic principles is beneficial, there are some limitations to carry it out efficiently, among them ineffective design tools. A design tool that suggests good starting solutions is presented, which takes into account how architects work during conceptual phases. Practical guidelines are provided for design of intelligent facades in hot climates. Relevant climatic principles are stated, together with considerations on elements, users and facade operation.

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