JFDE is now in Scimago Journal & Country Rank
2019-07-10
JFDE has been ranked in Q1 in the field of Architecture in the Scimago Journal & Country Rank!
Read more about JFDE is now in Scimago Journal & Country RankPublisher
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As the European building stock is in evident need of deep energy retrofitting to meet current European decarbonisation targets, the construction market calls for industrialised systems to boost massive renovations and activate economies of scale. The article outlines the development of an offsite fabricated system for building energy refurbishment through rainscreen façade elements. A focus is placed on such elements as they offer excellent system integration possibilities and the opportunity to boost the level of offsite fabrication, compared to other already industrialised façade systems, such as unitised façades. This research was carried out within the framework of BuildHEAT research project, funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme. The system concept is based on a systemic approach that combines energy efficiency, multifunctionality, integration of renewable energies, and ease of installation as design drivers. System development has rolled out through different phases, with an increased level of detail. During the schematic design phase, a set of different prefabricated façade panel dimensions were analysed. Afterwards, the component and system integration were assessed according to their impacts in terms of energy performance and fulfilment of mandatory technical requirements. As a last step, the most promising technical combinations underwent detailed design to verify construction feasibility and eliminate any bottlenecks during the fabrication phase. Results show that the proposed prefabricated solutions allowed: (i) simplified active system integration (photovoltaics, solar thermal, and building services), (ii) ease of installation on site, minimising the impact of renovation actions on occupants without compromising on final quality and reducing installation costs. Current limitations to extensive market diffusion of the system are related to two main aspects: (i) the need for on-site adjustments; and (ii) increased manufacturing costs compared to traditional external insulation interventions (e.g. ETICS). The current cost of the system (2020) is in the range of 3 - 1.5x the cost of, respectively, an ETICS or a vented rainscreen façade. However, as a next step, including the life-cycle perspective in the calculation, as well as accounting for economies of scale, the system will be evaluated, expecting a cost figure comparable to the rainscreen façade.
As the European building stock is in evident need of deep energy retrofitting to meet current European decarbonisation targets, the construction market calls for industrialised systems to boost massive renovations and activate economies of scale. The article outlines the development of an offsite fabricated system for building energy refurbishment through rainscreen façade elements. A focus is placed on such elements as they offer excellent system integration possibilities and the opportunity to boost the level of offsite fabrication, compared to other already industrialised façade systems, such as unitised façades. This research was carried out within the framework of BuildHEAT research project, funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme. The system concept is based on a systemic approach that combines energy efficiency, multifunctionality, integration of renewable energies, and ease of installation as design drivers. System development has rolled out...
As the European building stock is in evident need of deep energy retrofitting to meet current European decarbonisation targets, the construction market calls for industrialised systems to boost massive renovations and activate economies of scale. The article outlines the development of an...
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Green screen façades (GSF) remain an unexplored field of study in warm-summer climates with Mediterranean conditions.
This research aims to establish whether or not these thermal comfort façade systems are worth developing in cities with dry summers and a high range of thermal oscillation. A comparative study of four buildings´ green screen façades in Santiago de Chile was carried out, with different orientations and plant species, both in type and state of maturity.
Temperature and relative humidity outside and inside the cavity were measured during summer days. It was observed that, during the day, interior relative humidity was higher while the temperature was lower, reverting this behaviour during the afternoon and night. This result accounts for the existence of two different daily periods: passive cooling through evapotranspiration in the presence of solar radiation - reaching up to an 8°C temperature reduction and a 30% increase of the relative humidity - and passive heating in its absence.
The results show that the determining parameters in the behaviour of a green screen façade in a temperate-warm climate are, first, the orientation of the façade, and second, the density of foliage. Regarding orientation, it was also found that the sun exposure was directly proportional to the performance of a green screen façade.
Green screen façades (GSF) remain an unexplored field of study in warm-summer climates with Mediterranean conditions.
This research aims to establish whether or not these thermal comfort façade systems are worth developing in cities with dry summers and a high range of thermal oscillation. A comparative study of four buildings´ green screen façades in Santiago de Chile was carried out, with different orientations and plant species, both in type and state of maturity.
Temperature and relative humidity outside and inside the cavity were measured during summer days. It was observed that, during the day, interior relative humidity was higher while the temperature was lower, reverting this behaviour during the afternoon and night. This result accounts for the existence of two different daily periods: passive cooling through evapotranspiration in the presence of solar radiation - reaching up to an 8°C temperature reduction and a 30% increase of the relative...
Green screen façades (GSF) remain an unexplored field of study in warm-summer climates with Mediterranean conditions.
This research aims to establish whether or not these thermal comfort façade systems are worth developing in cities with dry summers and a high range of thermal...
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Computation-based approaches are increasingly important in architecture, namely Algorithmic Design (AD), which is based on the use of algorithms to generate designs. Besides enhancing design exploration, AD helps architects deal with recurrent design changes and with the pressure to quickly obtain results. Moreover, AD supports the search for better-performing solutions that satisfy environmental demands. Unfortunately, the complexity and specialized knowledge required by AD are still restraining architects due to the amount of effort and time needed to implement the necessary algorithms. To make AD and design optimization techniques more accessible, we propose a theoretical framework to help architects with the algorithmic generation, evaluation, and manufacturing of a large variety of designs, by following a continuous design workflow that merges the typically detached design stages. In order to be useful, the framework needs to focus on a domain of application, and, in this paper, we target the development of buildings’ façades due to their aesthetical and environmental relevance. We evaluate the framework in the context of a real case study resulting from a collaboration between a team of architects specialized in AD and a traditional design studio
Computation-based approaches are increasingly important in architecture, namely Algorithmic Design (AD), which is based on the use of algorithms to generate designs. Besides enhancing design exploration, AD helps architects deal with recurrent design changes and with the pressure to quickly obtain results. Moreover, AD supports the search for better-performing solutions that satisfy environmental demands. Unfortunately, the complexity and specialized knowledge required by AD are still restraining architects due to the amount of effort and time needed to implement the necessary algorithms. To make AD and design optimization techniques more accessible, we propose a theoretical framework to help architects with the algorithmic generation, evaluation, and manufacturing of a large variety of designs, by following a continuous design workflow that merges the typically detached design stages. In order to be useful, the framework needs to focus on a domain of application, and, in this...
Computation-based approaches are increasingly important in architecture, namely Algorithmic Design (AD), which is based on the use of algorithms to generate designs. Besides enhancing design exploration, AD helps architects deal with recurrent design changes and with the pressure to quickly...
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The tradition of ceramic façades in Bogotá dates back to more than a century ago. However, this tradition has been characterised by keeping a conventional construction approach, without any considerable evolution. This paper focuses on significant turning points in Bogotá’s tradition that have led to improvements in the construction environment, leading to possible paths for innovation with new proposals for ceramic façades. The central turning-point cases discussed are: Torres del Parque, the North Tower-Hilton International Hotel, brick façades for buildings that emerged after the Colombian Earthquake-resistant Building Standard (NSR-98), and the extension of the Santa Fe Foundation building. Through a detailed focus on these four cases in terms of their technological and morphological solutions, this paper aims to yield innovation opportunities for developing ceramic façade systems within an earthquake prone region.
The tradition of ceramic façades in Bogotá dates back to more than a century ago. However, this tradition has been characterised by keeping a conventional construction approach, without any considerable evolution. This paper focuses on significant turning points in Bogotá’s tradition that have led to improvements in the construction environment, leading to possible paths for innovation with new proposals for ceramic façades. The central turning-point cases discussed are: Torres del Parque, the North Tower-Hilton International Hotel, brick façades for buildings that emerged after the Colombian Earthquake-resistant Building Standard (NSR-98), and the extension of the Santa Fe Foundation building. Through a detailed focus on these four cases in terms of their technological and morphological solutions, this paper aims to yield innovation opportunities for developing ceramic façade systems within an earthquake prone region.
The tradition of ceramic façades in Bogotá dates back to more than a century ago. However, this tradition has been characterised by keeping a conventional construction approach, without any considerable evolution. This paper focuses on significant turning points in Bogotá’s tradition that...
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The construction sector, identified as one of the largest producers of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and one of the largest energy consumers, demands effective measures and applicable solutions to address sustainability challenges. The closed-loop recycling of CDW, integrated with the large-scale deployment of high energy performing buildings, represents a challenge for the whole construction sector, where the lack of waste efficient and energy efficient envelope systems is identified as one of the main barriers. The aim of this paper is to provide one possible solution to tackle the aforementioned issues – a highly insulated prefabricated ventilated façade panel with concrete layers produced using recycled CDW. The results of extensive research confirm that it is possible to replace a high percentage (50%) of natural coarse aggregate with recycled CDW and produce concrete with good mechanical, durability, and hygrothermal properties. Upscaling from initial research and optimisation at material level to an element level, i.e. development and testing of a ventilated façade panel, demonstrated that it is possible to produce a modular envelope system from recycled CDW that meets all performance requirements for certain construction product type (Declaration of performance and CE-marking). Moreover, the results of hygrothermal and energy consumption field monitoring at the whole building level suggest that the developed panel is suitable for use as a high-performing building envelope in real environmental conditions.
The construction sector, identified as one of the largest producers of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and one of the largest energy consumers, demands effective measures and applicable solutions to address sustainability challenges. The closed-loop recycling of CDW, integrated with the large-scale deployment of high energy performing buildings, represents a challenge for the whole construction sector, where the lack of waste efficient and energy efficient envelope systems is identified as one of the main barriers. The aim of this paper is to provide one possible solution to tackle the aforementioned issues – a highly insulated prefabricated ventilated façade panel with concrete layers produced using recycled CDW. The results of extensive research confirm that it is possible to replace a high percentage (50%) of natural coarse aggregate with recycled CDW and produce concrete with good mechanical, durability, and hygrothermal properties. Upscaling from initial research...
The construction sector, identified as one of the largest producers of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and one of the largest energy consumers, demands effective measures and applicable solutions to address sustainability challenges. The closed-loop recycling of CDW, integrated with...
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As the European building stock is in evident need of deep energy retrofitting to meet current European decarbonisation targets, the construction market calls for industrialised systems to boost massive renovations and activate economies of scale. The article outlines the development of an offsite fabricated system for building energy refurbishment through rainscreen façade elements. A focus is placed on such elements as they offer excellent system integration possibilities and the opportunity to boost the level of offsite fabrication, compared to other already industrialised façade systems, such as unitised façades. This research was carried out within the framework of BuildHEAT research project, funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme. The system concept is based on a systemic approach that combines energy efficiency, multifunctionality, integration of renewable energies, and ease of installation as design drivers. System development has rolled out through different phases, with an increased level of detail. During the schematic design phase, a set of different prefabricated façade panel dimensions were analysed. Afterwards, the component and system integration were assessed according to their impacts in terms of energy performance and fulfilment of mandatory technical requirements. As a last step, the most promising technical combinations underwent detailed design to verify construction feasibility and eliminate any bottlenecks during the fabrication phase. Results show that the proposed prefabricated solutions allowed: (i) simplified active system integration (photovoltaics, solar thermal, and building services), (ii) ease of installation on site, minimising the impact of renovation actions on occupants without compromising on final quality and reducing installation costs. Current limitations to extensive market diffusion of the system are related to two main aspects: (i) the need for on-site adjustments; and (ii) increased manufacturing costs compared to traditional external insulation interventions (e.g. ETICS). The current cost of the system (2020) is in the range of 3 - 1.5x the cost of, respectively, an ETICS or a vented rainscreen façade. However, as a next step, including the life-cycle perspective in the calculation, as well as accounting for economies of scale, the system will be evaluated, expecting a cost figure comparable to the rainscreen façade.
As the European building stock is in evident need of deep energy retrofitting to meet current European decarbonisation targets, the construction market calls for industrialised systems to boost massive renovations and activate economies of scale. The article outlines the development of an offsite fabricated system for building energy refurbishment through rainscreen façade elements. A focus is placed on such elements as they offer excellent system integration possibilities and the opportunity to boost the level of offsite fabrication, compared to other already industrialised façade systems, such as unitised façades. This research was carried out within the framework of BuildHEAT research project, funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme. The system concept is based on a systemic approach that combines energy efficiency, multifunctionality, integration of renewable energies, and ease of installation as design drivers. System development has rolled out...
As the European building stock is in evident need of deep energy retrofitting to meet current European decarbonisation targets, the construction market calls for industrialised systems to boost massive renovations and activate economies of scale. The article outlines the development of an...
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Water-filled building envelopes are hybrid constructions with a solid and a fluid component, typically a glass or steel shell filled with water. The paper introduces the challenges of developing a water-filled façade structure and evaluates the possibility to utilise it as a viable construction system on a building scale. Water-filled glass (WFG) has been researched in the past and it was presented as an independent window element of a conventional building, where energy savings are achieved by using the absorption of the water layer for energy management of the building envelope. The results suggest that WFG’s efficiency could be improved further if the system is assembled as a united building envelope in which the fluid can flow between panels and building parts. The paper presents two experimental ‘water house’ buildings with these design parameters, designed and constructed by the author. The importance of these buildings is that a connected water-filled envelope is built for the first time. The discussion presents two construction methods for water-filled façades, evaluates their viability for different climates, introduces the design-construction aspects of the technology, and offers a comparison with existing construction methods. A fluid-solid building envelope provides significant savings for both operational and embodied energy, by lowering cooling load, reusing absorbed heat, balancing thermal differences between parts of the envelope and the rest of the building, while making additional construction elements (e.g. external shadings) obsolete.
Water-filled building envelopes are hybrid constructions with a solid and a fluid component, typically a glass or steel shell filled with water. The paper introduces the challenges of developing a water-filled façade structure and evaluates the possibility to utilise it as a viable construction system on a building scale. Water-filled glass (WFG) has been researched in the past and it was presented as an independent window element of a conventional building, where energy savings are achieved by using the absorption of the water layer for energy management of the building envelope. The results suggest that WFG’s efficiency could be improved further if the system is assembled as a united building envelope in which the fluid can flow between panels and building parts. The paper presents two experimental ‘water house’ buildings with these design parameters, designed and constructed by the author. The importance of these buildings is that a connected...
Water-filled building envelopes are hybrid constructions with a solid and a fluid component, typically a glass or steel shell filled with water. The paper introduces the challenges of developing a water-filled façade structure and evaluates the possibility to utilise it...
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JFDE is now in Scimago Journal & Country Rank
2019-07-10JFDE has been ranked in Q1 in the field of Architecture in the Scimago Journal & Country Rank!
Read more about JFDE is now in Scimago Journal & Country Rank -
Accepting entries for a new issue now!
2019-03-25The Journal of Facade Design and Engineering (JFDE) is currently accepting entries for a new issue: issue 7 no. 2 is on its way!
Read more about Accepting entries for a new issue now!