Numerical simulation of the temperature evolution in a room with a mur neutralisant. Application to “The City of Refuge” by Le Corbusier

Abstract This paper examines a mathematical model of the thermal evolution in a specific room of “The City of Refuge”, built in Paris (1933) by Le Corbusier. Although the architect proposed an environmental conditioning system by combining two technological advances: the mur neutralisant – a double-glazed wall with an air cavity that can be heated or cooled – and the respiration exacte – a purified circulating air maintained at constant temperature –, this was never incorporated. This article aims to acquire knowledge of indoor air distribution in the room under study by considering the combination of the mur neutralisant and the respiration exacte. The problem is resolved through a “coupled code”. The first is a two-dimensional model simulating the temperature evolution in the room, while the second is a one-dimensional model used to represent the problem of the mur neutralisant. The numerical model develops the technical issues associated with the implementation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The numerical simulations carried out validate the solution of the system proposed. Control of the facade temperature using the active chamber ensures that the operative temperatures obtained for summer and winter fall within the comfort range. The City of Refuge is the clearest precursor of modern active facade systems.