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Just a mystery box? Curtain wall of the Ronald O. Perelman Center of Performing Arts in New York A new New York landmark – the Ronald O. Perelman Center for the Performing Arts – rises in stony elegance alongside the World Trade Center. A unique, four‐sided facade of 7200 m2 encloses the ascetic, box‐shaped building. Rolled structural steel beams, split in two locations, were used for this purpose. Lap joint plates, secured with countersunk screw connections are mounted on the roof in order to comply with the architectural intention. All strap joints are designed at the limit of feasible edge distances and without raised contours, in order to bridge the substantial tolerance jump between the massive main structure and the filigree facade. But what questions arise when planning and manufacturing such an exposed building envelope? For steel production, the team not only had to overcome bureaucratic hurdles between DIN and ASTM/AWS, but also met the highest requirements for assembly quality, since all visible areas are mercilessly exposed. A first test setup in Germany helped to unmask significant pitfalls. The identified tolerances in the holes could be minimized in the structure with noteworthy precision and attention to detail. Thanks to this effort, almost 5000 individual glass panes, mounted on mega panels, reached their individual and pre‐planned final positions on the building surface – a logistics chain from the quarry where the marble stone was cut to the construction site in Lower Manhattan. Only the following essay shows where the devil is in the detail of such an architecturally challenging project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European Union, buildings account for 42% of the energy consumption and 36% of the direct and indirect energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing thermal power for heating purposes is crucial to achieve climate neutrality. The main purpose of this article is to identify the places in the building where it is possible to significantly improve energy efficiency through the use of appropriate construction and material solutions. This article contains a multi-aspect approach to the heat balance of a building. Solutions that have a direct impact on building energy consumption were analysed, taking into account architectural, technological, and material aspects. Particular attention was paid to energy-efficient design and material solutions for non-transparent and transparent external walls and thermal storage walls (Trombe walls). An analysis of heat transfer through building elements was carried out, along with the optimisation of energy-efficient solutions for non-transparent and transparent barriers. Two methods for determining the equivalent heat transfer coefficient Ue for solar active partitions are presented. The analysis presented in the work using the original method of the balanced heat transfer coefficient Ue is a testing ground for identifying unfavourable features of the building structure, as well as the most energy-efficient solutions that can be used in establishing standards for the construction and modernisation of buildings. The value of the Ue coefficient illustrates the actual heat transfer through the partition. Having Ue values for various structural solutions of building envelopes, the designer can easily select the most effective ones. The use of the presented methodology will allow for the optimisation of technical solutions for building elements to improve its energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shanghai Tower has become a new landmark of Shanghai. In the current trend advocating green building and energy efficiency, considerations of wind loads and thermal characteristics of the perimeter structure of Shanghai Tower are crucial. This paper conducts comparative simulation studies on the wind environment of Shanghai Tower using Ecotect software, and stress analyses and thermal simulations of the perimeter structure using ANSYS software. The study compared three buildings' surface wind pressure distributions using models with equal-volume and circular cross-sections. We found that the unique exterior design of the Shanghai Tower results in a more regular and uniform distribution of wind pressure on its surface compared to both circular and square planar models, with a lower average wind pressure value. In addition, the stress analysis results indicate significant differences in deformation and stress distribution between the windward and leeward sides. Enhancing the bending moment detection of the peripheral structure and optimizing the layout of detection points are recommended. Thermal simulation results show excessive heat conduction flux in winter conditions, suggesting optimization using passive energy-saving methods such as light-sensitive thermal insulation materials during winter. This research is a reference for designing other super-tall buildings prioritizing low-carbon energy efficiency and structural safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated temporary buildings are a promising solution for post-disaster scenarios for their modularity, sustainability and transportation advantages. However, their low thermal mass building envelope shows a fast response to heat flux excitations. This leads to the risk of not meeting the occupant comfort and HVAC energy-saving requirements. The literature shows different measures implementable in opaque surfaces, like vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), phase change materials (PCMs) and switchable coatings, and in transparent surfaces (switchable glazing) to mitigate thermal issues, like overheating, while preserving the limited available internal space. This paper investigates the energy and overheating performance of the mentioned interventions by using building performance simulation tools to assess their effectiveness. The optimization also looks at the transportation flexibility of each intervention to better support the decision maker for manufacturing innovative temporary units. The most energy-efficient measures turn to be VIPs as a better energy solution for winter and PCMs as a better thermal comfort solution for summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Operational building energy consumption accounts for 55% of global energy consumption. Most of this is attributed to residential buildings, as they make up the largest building type when compared to the total building stock worldwide. As the building envelope is a major contributor to building energy performance, especially the external walls, its optimisation is therefore imperative to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study set out to assess the effects of waste material additions to external walls and their effect on building energy performance. This research aimed to critically investigate the effect of rice husk ash (RHA) masonry blocks on building energy performance when compared to conventional masonry blocks in tropical climates. A mix of methods, including experimental investigation and simulation studies, were employed for this study. Three variations of RHA block samples were created for this investigation: RHA 5%, RHA 10%, and RHA 15%. Using prototype buildings from the study context, the building simulation results helped quantify the impact on building energy performance from the reuse of rice waste. The largest improvement to the building fabric was recorded with the RHA15% blocks, which resulted in a 9.9% and 11.3% reduction in solar heat gains through the external walls for the selected bungalow and duplex/storey building, respectively. This resulted in a 6.55% and 4.2% reduction in cooling loads and a 4.1% and 2.8% reduction in carbon emissions, respectively, for the bungalow and duplex/storey building. The findings of this research will prove valuable to householders, researchers, architects, and policymakers in their decision-making processes. The findings will also be useful in introducing new methods that can be adopted for similar studies, bridging the knowledge gap while promoting a circular economy through the reuse of landfilled waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach of space cooling to achieve indoor thermal comfort is one of the main energy-consuming aspects of buildings. To reduce the amount of energy used in buildings ultimately, it is essential to design building envelopes that are energy-efficient. The primary strategies used in this research are analysed in order to determine innovative and successful approaches, with an emphasis on phase change materials (PCMs), for improving the building envelope performance. The technique of incorporating PCMs into building envelope is becoming more prevalent because of its enhanced energy capacity to store and release heat during phase conversion, which is one of the sustainable methods used for regulating space temperature. The application of PCM as a construction material for thermal energy storage is the main focus of this study, it emphasises the Phase Change Materials main concept. The most common PCM types for usage in building envelopes, together with their material composition and diverse qualities. This research also illustrate the different techniques for incorporating PCM into building envelope components. As a case study, an energy consumption analysis is conducted on a building located in Alexandria, Egypt. Subsequently it is suggested to integrate PCM in the construction materials, the impact of this suggestion is then simulated using Design Builder software. Using this software the current state of the building had been simulated and its condition after modifications using the PCMs had been simulated, and the results demonstrate a significant improvement in the thermal performance of the building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the comprehensive activities conducted in a laboratory setting to assess the structural health monitoring (SHM) of prefabricated building envelopes. Integrating sensors into building components like curtain wall facades poses challenges but offers opportunities for monitoring structural health, requiring compliance with regulatory standards. The research investigates the possibility of defining a kit of conventional and multi-parameter sensors integrated within the building envelope to monitor its behavior during the performance test conducted. The kit of sensors also includes Fiber Optic Sensors for effectively monitoring building envelope behavior and structural integrity. In this context, the European project InComEss (H2020-GA862597) aims to define a stand-alone solution for SHM using Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems (PE-EHS) for façade monitoring through FBG/FOS system. After analyzing the main façade structural stress, a series of FBGs, accelerometers, and force washers were integrated within a 1:1 scale façade prototype and tested in a laboratory following the test sequence parameters required by the curtain wall standard EN 13830. The data collected were analyzed with the aim of monitoring the façade behavior before and after the tests. The results show that the façade's performance passed the assessing test criteria without reporting any damages. In addition, the outcomes demonstrated the effectiveness of the defined kit of multi-parameter sensors for the building envelope's SHM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double skin facades (DSF) aim to save energy reducing the heat losses in buildings. They are visually appeal while allowing to use daylight efficiently. Such facade systems can reduce glare and distribute daylight evenly in the interior when compared to conventional facade systems. That is a result of cavities between two glass facades and locating sun shading elements in them, although this system provides a high level of transparency. As their primary purpose of application is to ensure thermal performance and ventilation, most studies in literature have focused on these. This study started with the hypothesis that studies examining daylight performance in DSFs are more limited than studies examining thermal performance and that daylight optimization methods are not used sufficiently in DSFs. In this context, the study aims to analyze studies focusing on daylight performance of DSFs. The review targets results of such current studies to guide future ones providing feedback knowledge. This may help to better technical developments in such facades and make them prevail in constructions or in retrofitting So, it contributes to literature in this sense. Recent studies are shown in tabulated form and interpreted in detail with graphics. considering their methodologies, daylight parameters and findings. Results show that the daylight parameter is one of the most important issues that architects or designers should consider from the moment they start the design, and they should make their designs based on the optimum penetration of daylight into the building. Consequently, this review presents that the use of daylight optimization has started to be used in recent studies dealing with DSFs. A DSF design can optimally get daylight into the interior can be made by using this method more frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Maintaining the airtightness of building envelopes is critical to the energy efficiency of buildings, yet leak detection remains a significant challenge, particularly during building refurbishment. This study addresses the effectiveness of the acoustic beamforming measurement method in identifying leaks in building envelopes. For this reason, an in-field study employing the acoustic beamforming measurement method was conducted. The study involved testing over 30 rooms across three different multi-story office buildings of varying ages and heterogeneous envelope structures. Numerous leaks were located in the façades, which were subsequently visually confirmed or even verified with smoke sticks. The data, captured using an acoustic camera (a microphone ring array), revealed distinct spectra that indicate the method's potential for further research. The basic functionality and the significant potential of this methodology for localizing leakages in large buildings were proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by environmental sustainability concerns, the integration of bio-based components in curtain wall systems is gaining traction in both research and the construction market. This paper explores the development and validation of a bio-based façade system within the Basajaun H2020 project (2019–2024). The project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of introducing environmentally friendly bio-based components into the mature curtain wall façade industry. The paper focuses on identifying technological solutions for replacing key components such as frame profiles, insulation, and the tightness system with bio-based and less environmentally impactful alternatives, presenting the results achieved in the façade system design of the Basajaun project. These solutions aimed at creating a bio-composite-based curtain wall façade that adheres to the current building envelope standards and normative, implementing diverse façade typologies for vision panels, opaque sections, and integrated windows and, moreover, engineering the prefabrication process for industrialization and enabling wider market replication and simplified transport and installation. The results demonstrate that the Basajaun façade successfully integrates selected components and meets the performance requirements set by regulations: the façade is designed to withstand a maximum and typical wind load of 3.5 kN/m2 and a typical load of 1.5 kN/m2, the weighted sound reduction index obtained is Rw = 44 dB, and the thermal transmittance of the vision façade is 0.74 W/m2K while that of the entire opaque façade is 0.27 W/m2K (an additional internal wall is required to achieve the requested thermal transmittance)—the values are in accordance with reference standards and design requirements. However, questions remain regarding the workability of bio-based profiles as a commercially viable, ready-to-market solution that can replace traditional aluminum profiles in the curtain wall façade industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction is becoming famous for buildings because it allows a high degree of prefabrication, with individual modules easily transported and installed. Building envelope optimization is vital as it protects buildings from undesirable external environments by expressly preventing the incursion of outside elements. This research uses a systematic literature review to appraise the characteristics of modular envelope panels, focusing on hygrothermal and energy performance. A total of 265 articles were subjected to rigorous filtering and screening measures. The findings reveal notable inconsistencies in modular envelope terminologies and a lack of consistent performance measures, which present significant challenges for research and development efforts. Furthermore, the results indicate a predominant focus on hygrothermal and energy performance in existing studies, with limited attention to environmental impacts and other performance factors. Moreover, the existing literature primarily addresses modular envelope solutions in temperate climates, offering inadequate information for hot and hot–humid climate contexts. To address these gaps, this study proposes categorizing modular envelope panels into four distinct categories: active, passive, smart, and green/vegetated wall panels. These findings will benefit researchers, architects, building envelope designers, policymakers, and organizations developing building performance-related assessment ratings, standards, and codes. The study suggests adopting the categorization of modular envelope panels provided in this study and developing modular panels suitable for hot and humid climates to fill the existing knowledge gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that social housing in Brazil usually fails to provide thermal comfort to its occupants. This study aimed to define energy efficiency measures for a representative social housing model to, together with local production of renewable energy, achieve the nearly zero-energy target. The thermal performance and energy efficiency of the representative model were evaluated using computer simulation, considering the southern Brazilian climatic context. An analysis of the economic feasibility of energy efficiency measures was also carried out. The results showed that the nearly zero-energy model with energy efficiency measures on the envelope (EPS and gypsum board in the external walls and rock wall in the roof) and a solar water heating system reduced 13.1% of the annual primary energy consumption in comparison with the representative model. Considering the renewable energy generation in the nearly zero-energy building, the electricity consumption was 38,777.6 kWh/year lower than that in the representative model (57.0% reduction). The economic analysis of the energy efficiency measures indicated a positive net present value and a payback of nearly six years. It was concluded that using energy efficiency measures and an on-site renewable made it possible to reach the nearly zero-energy target in a representative social housing model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of indoor humidity through equipment consumes massive energy, leading to the growing interest in passive regulation of indoor humidity via moisture buffering. Numerous factors may impact the performance of interior finishing material during moisture regulation, thus identifying the dominant parameters is critical for moisture buffering effect optimization. This study analyzes the influence of five moisture and surface parameters, which are directly related to the moisture transfer of the interior finishing layer, on the thermal loads in a typical office building under typical climates in China. The analysis employs scatter plots and sensitivity indices based on Sobol's method. The results show that the material thickness plays a decisive role under different climates. The importance of sorption isotherm varies with climates and load types. The vapor diffusion resistance factor of the material only affects the latent heat loads, while the effect of the surface vapor transfer resistance is negligible. Finally, this study puts forward suggestions for interior finishing material selection to achieve low-load performance based on the characteristics of parameter combinations.

The ongoing climate crisis and turbulence on the world stage has highlighted the need for sustainability and resilience in the development and maintenance of urban areas regarding climate comfort and energy access. Local production of green energy increases both the sustainability and resilience of an area. Traditionally, photovoltaic (PV) panels are deployed wherever the amount of sunlight is highest but lowering costs for PV panels makes them cost-effective even in colder climates. Within the broader umbrella of positive energy districts, façade mounted building-integrated PV panels in urban areas additionally present unique opportunities and challenges, as factors such as wind, solar irradiance, or nearby obstructions can have either a positive or negative effect on the performance of the PV panels. In this article, we aimed to answer the question: What factors inform the optimization of vertical PV panels? To answer this, we developed a method for the optimization of placement of PV panels. By building upon readily available weather data, local panel conditions were examined, and field-driven aggregation algorithm used to guide panel placement. Performance of the resulting panel configurations were then compared to a baseline case. Results indicate that our developed method helped mitigate negative impacts of the aforementioned factors, and often improved performance over baseline.

Envelope air leakage is a large contributor of energy loss in modern high-performance construction. Building enclosure designers along with the building science community are emphasizing the importance of incorporating air barrier products in the envelope design. Furthermore, regulators are reassessing the allowable air leakage limits prescribed in local codes, to reduce unintentional infiltration. Although voluntary, Passive House building standards inform methods and targets for achieving minimal air leakage values to meet certification. Commercial air barrier products often satisfy the airtightness requirements during and immediately following construction. However, seismic events could potentially damage the air barrier product and compromise the envelope’s air tightness. This paper presents the findings of an experimental program conducted to test commercially available air barrier products under in plane cyclic loading. A cyclic loading profile was designed to simulate a seismic event. Selected air barrier products were adhered to small-scale sheathing panels and tested after curing. Multiple combinations of sheathing board material and air barrier tapes were tested. The tested sample groups represent the most common air barrier systems used in the industry, incorporating 3 M Construction Seaming Tape, Siga Wigluv 60, Prosoco R-Guard Joint and Seam Filler, and Zip System Tape. The failure load and failure displacement were recorded for each test, along with the corresponding failure mode. The results of the experimental program suggest that 0.5-inches [1.27 cm] of in plane vertical displacement could completely compromise the air barrier layer due to the delamination or tear of the air barrier sealant.

Bio-composite insulation materials play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of buildings. This paper numerically investigates the eco-friendly application of mycelium in south-facing walls in Marrakech, Morocco, using 2D CFD simulations. In this context, the thermal efficiency of bio-sourced insulating materials was assessed and compared to that of conventional insulating materials. The study basically aims at the time lag and the decrement factor analysis to evaluate the dynamic thermal performance of a multilayer wall insulated with mycelium. A life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is performed to establish the optimal thickness of the mycelium insulation, which was turned out to be 0.08 m. This optimization leads to a substantial improvement in energy efficiency, resulting in energy savings increasing by 87.4 % in winter and 55.9 % in summer. Besides, during the last 72 h of the simulation, the indoor surface temperature drops by approximately 4 °C on summer days and raises by approximately 1 °C on winter days. The thickness of mycelium insulation was found to have a significant impact on energy savings, increasing them from 56 % to 93 %, and representing nearly a 1.7-fold improvement. The study has also targeted annual CO2 emissions to reveal a potential reduction of around 72 % using optimal mycelium composite insulation. Finally, a comparative analysis with the guidelines of Moroccan thermal regulations was achieved. The obtained findings exhibit that the examined configuration excels in terms of thermal performance, economic feasibility, and environmental benefits.

When an energy rehabilitation of a building is planned, the aim is to achieve a significant energy saving. However, how to assess these savings can be difficult. A first idea may be monitoring the building before and after rehabilitation, but the climatic conditions can differ, which may mislead the conclusions. In this work, this problem was avoided by monitoring two similar buildings for a year, one of them energy retrofitted and the other not, sited in the same location (Zaragoza, Spain) and also with the same orientation and geometry, same climate, inner conditions as similar as possible but different materials in the enclosures: rehabilitated and original. This accurately compares energy consumption between the rehabilitated building and the non-renovated building. The yearly energy savings achieved were 58.42 % with the rehabilitation.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of inverse techniques to estimate the resistance and the capacity of a highly insulated multilayer wall under real weather conditions. The wall is equipped with temperature sensors inside and on its inner and outer surfaces, and the boundary conditions have been measured over a 14-day period. Uncertainties on various parameters of the model are evaluated, including internal and external convective heat transfer coefficients (±20% and ±7 W.m-².K−1 respectively), external long-wave heat transfer coefficient (±0.15 W.m−2.K−1) and solar absorption coefficient (±0.06). A sensitivity analysis demonstrated the high correlation with some parameters defining the thermal performance of the walls (thermal resistance or capacity). A solution is proposed to limit the number of identified parameters, while allowing the identification of the thermal resistance and the thermal capacity of the walls. There are two cases: either the weather conditions are accurately measured (temperature, short- and long-wave radiation) and the thermal characteristics can be assessed, or intrusive sensors are installed, and the thermal characteristics can be evaluated more accurately.

Extreme low temperatures, heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, limited daylight, and increased energy consumption in cold climates present significant challenges but also offer opportunities for improving building efficiency. Advanced materials and technologies in climate-responsive envelopes can enhance sustainability, reduce carbon footprints and operational costs, and improve thermal comfort under these environmental conditions. This literature review combines theoretical aspects of building performance in cold climates with a summary of current and critical applications in building envelope design, identifying research gaps and proposing future research directions. It has been shown that various BIPV systems require further climate-based studies to optimize solar energy yield. For example, integrating PV layers and PCM within DSFs can reduce cooling loads, but more research is needed on PCM transition temperatures and ventilation strategies in cold climates. A notable research gap exists in building-integrated vegetative systems, particularly regarding soil thickness, irrigation, hygrothermal performance, and snow accumulation. Despite excellent winter performance in buildings incorporating CLT components, they face increased cooling energy consumption and potential overheating in summer. Additionally, the high initial moisture content in CLT raises the risk of mold growth, especially when covered with vapor-tight layers. The design examples in this paper emphasize the need for further investigation to achieve sustainable, low-carbon, energy-efficient envelope designs for cold climates.

Building energy regulations are essential for reducing energy consumption in the European Union (EU) and achieving climate neutrality goals. This data article supplements the “Overview of EU Building Envelope Energy Requirement for Climate Neutrality” by presenting a detailed dataset on building regulations across all 27 EU member states, with a focus on building envelope efficiency. The data include thermal transmittance limits for windows, walls, floors, and roofs, offering insights into regulatory differences and potential opportunities for harmonization. Information was sourced from the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) database, national reports, and scientific literature to ensure comprehensive coverage. Key aspects of each country’s regulations are summarized in tables, covering both new constructions and renovations. The inclusion of Köppen–Geiger climate classifications allows for climate-specific analyses, providing valuable context for researchers, policymakers, and construction professionals. This dataset enables comparative studies, helping to identify best practices and inform policy interventions aimed at enhancing energy efficiency across Europe. It also supports the development of tailored strategies to improve building performance in different environmental conditions, ultimately contributing to the EU’s energy and climate targets.

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is an important element of the effort to address global warming. The thermal performance of building envelopes is the most important thermal and physical property affecting energy performance. Therefore, identifying the thermal performance of a building envelope is essential to applying effective energy-saving measures. The U-value is a quantitative indicator of the thermal performance of the building envelope quantitatively. Methods for determining the U-value are largely classified into passive methods, which use building information without measurement campaigns, and active methods, which conduct in situ measurements. This paper reviews and evaluates the most commonly used methods and experimental results of previous studies to determine the actual U-value of a building envelope. Accordingly, this paper focuses solely on field measurement studies, excluding laboratory measurements. Comparing the existing methods used to determine the U-value can help researchers choose appropriate field measurement methods and future research directions.

AbstractCurrently, advanced technologies have been developed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The fact that the building envelope causes energy losses of up to 73% leads to the search for the right solutions in the design of building systems. Providing human comfort in interiors with current design strategies would decrease the need for using active systems and bring along energy gains. As a result, less fuel will be consumed, and fewer emissions will be generated, contributing to a healthier environment on a global scale. In the scope of this study it is aimed to evaluate different facade applications on a reference building for three provinces located in different climate zones, which are Karabük, Konya, and Mersin in Turkey. In addition, façade scenarios in the direction of east-west and north-south axes were evaluated to determine the energy waste or gains caused by orientation. The scenarios were analyzed considering heating-cooling energy demand, thermal comfort, carbon emissions, and payback periods. REVIT and Design Builder were used for 3D modeling and simulations. Results indicated that an opaque ventilated wall is the most advantageous scenario for the Mediterranean climate zone in all parameters. This façade system performs better than the others in reducing carbon emissions and saving costs for all the regions. Although the solar chimney makes a significant contribution to the reduction of especially heating loads for all regions, this system is not applicable when the payback period is considered. In terms of thermal comfort, southward orientation minimizes the humidity and temperature fluctuations indoors throughout the year.

Can the building sector become productive and, in parallel, help create livable spaces? Agricultural and solar energy systems can contribute to the building sector’s transformation; however, research on these systems has mostly focused on technological development and achieved gains, while overlooking a key driver of success, which is social acceptance. Only recently has the discussion on social acceptance of the systems gained momentum revealing that their adoption, especially in residential sectors, is bound to end users. Therefore, using a quantitative, survey-based, case study approach, we investigated what influences the social acceptance of end users, i.e., the residents of residential buildings in Egyptian new cities. Based on UTAUT – a Technology Acceptance theory – seven underlying factors were tackled using a statistical contingency analysis (SPSS, n = 274) to test their association with (a) social acceptance of agricultural and solar energy systems and (b) the sociocultural background of the residents. Results revealed that social acceptance of the systems was associated with factors like the expected effort for implementation, concerns and anxieties about the systems, external supporting conditions, and social influences – while surprisingly, it was not associated with the expected performance of the systems, their perceived costs, and the need for financial support. Most studied factors showed associations with the sociocultural aspects, except for the expected effort and perceived cost of solar systems and financial facilitations of both systems, which proved to be completely independent of the sociocultural background of the residents. The conducted analysis and concluded insights about the underlying factors behind social acceptance have not been previously covered in detail for the two systems in comparison, especially for the case of new Egyptian residences. The study findings can support relevant stakeholders such as policymakers, suppliers, engineers, etc. in triggering the social acceptance of the systems in Egypt and contexts of similar settings.

Pattern-based building envelope is a modern style of contemporary facades. Architects may rely on imitating known practices without knowing the processes involved in their design. Therefore, this paper seeks to identify the algorithmic steps implemented in the derivation of contemporary façade. The design algorithms of pattern-based building envelopes are classified into generative algorithms of the basic pattern and elements, and transformation algorithms. An experimentation method was applied using Grasshopper for Rhino to simulate the formation of nine contemporary pattern-based envelopes. The finding reveals that several approaches are implemented such as elements are extruded from the basic pattern or separated from it. The envelope pattern may result from repeting the elements, or the envelope pattern may be devoid of elements. Modification techniques can manipulate the basic pattern, the elements, or both patterns and elements. They act on the patterns and elements simultaneously in the same way, or separately using different ways.

The building envelope is the interface between the external atmospheric conditions and the indoor environment. It contributes to approximately 60%–70% of the heating and cooling load. The building envelope constitutes walls, fenestrations, and roofs from which thermal transfer from the roof is significantly very high compared to walls in low-rise buildings.This research paper aims to provide recommendations for energy-efficient roof design considering roof form, material, and external coating suitable for various climate conditions of India. The paper’s methodology consists of a literature review of related research papers, learnings from the roofing system of energy-efficient building case studies, and all possible energy-efficient roofing systems that would be simulated for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in five climate types of India. The expected outcome of this paper would be in the form of recommendations for roofing systems in different climate type and their potential for energy saving from the highest to the lowest. This research would be done in three stages viz, Step-1: Literature Review and case study of best practices: A review of the related literature and best practices examples would be done to formulate the maximum possible cases for the simulation. Step-2: The roofing systems, including building form, material (Thermal and insulation), and finishes (reflectance), would be simulated one by one for various climate types of India (composite, hot & dry, warm and humid, moderate and cold) to optimize energy efficiency and payback period. Step-3: Special roof types like Green roofs, cool roofs, Photovoltaic roofs, roof ponds, and the like are simulated and compared for their effectiveness in selected climate types. Based on the literature review, simulation results, and analysis, the recommendations are framed for energy-efficient roofing systems in the selected climate type with respect to heat transfer through the roof and thermal comfort.

This study presents a novel construction method for prefabricated wall elements by integrating a framework made of thin-walled sheet steel profiles into an optimized thermally insulating lightweight aggregate concrete (LAC) building envelope. The load-bearing function of the framework is provided by cold-formed Sigma-profiles, which are spot-welded to non-load-bearing U-profiles at the vertical ends. The LAC shapes the wall and stabilizes the thin-walled steel profiles against buckling, but has no further load-bearing function, thus allowing the reduction of its necessary compressive strength and subsequently minimizing its density. As a result, the LAC exhibits strength and density values well beyond existing standards, providing highly competitive thermal conductivity values that meet today's energy requirements without the need for additional insulation materials. Tailored composite specimens verify the stabilization of load-bearing sheet steel profiles by the LAC, which not only prevents buckling but also increases the load-bearing capacity of the overall system. The feasibility of this approach is validated by the production of two prototypes, each comprising a full-sized wall, in two different precast plants using distinct process technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world population increased from 1 billion in 1800 to around 8 billion today. The Population Division of the United Nations predicts a global population of approximately 10.4 billion people by the end of the century. That represents over 2 billion more people. Moreover, the global community is currently experiencing a precarious state due to the enduring repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic across all sectors, including energy. Given the rising global population and the limited availability of primary energy resources, we must reach a balance between the demands of a growing human population and the planet's carrying capacity. The dreadful conflict in Ukraine has precipitated an enormous energy crisis. This crisis has served as a warning to the world population of how much it depends on this resource to survive. In France, the building sectors, specifically residential and tertiary, account for 45% of the total final energy consumption. It is the first energy consumer of the country and one of the most polluting (i.e., about 34% of CO 2 emitted by France). Consequently, we must consider alternative energy resource forms (i.e., substitution energy forms). Harvesting energy from the building envelope may be a viable technique for partially satisfying the electricity demands of building users. In this context, scientific research offers considerable potential for developing more innovative and efficient systems. This article aims to review the state-of-the-art of advances on the subject to orient and further optimize energy production systems, particularly electricity. This work addresses several points of view: it discusses the overall backdrop of the present study and introduces the subject; details the research strategy and procedures used to produce this paper; develops the state-of-the-art on the potential for generating or recovering power from the building envelope; presents the SWOT analysis of the earlier-described systems. Finally, it concludes by offering findings and viewpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings consume about 40% of global energy. It is essential to use various measures to reduce the energy consumption of the buildings as much as possible. This research investigates the impact of using a new combination of thermochromic (TC) materials in the building envelope of educational buildings. A case study building at Razi University was selected, and a 3D model was created in DesignBuilder software. Firstly, TC coating for external walls was entered into the base model, and several simulations were performed to find the effect of this coating on the energy consumption of the building. Then, a low-emissivity thermochromic (LETC) window was defined using energy management system (EMS) scripting and was entered into the base model. Finally, these two measures were combined, and the cumulative effect of using both TC coating on the external walls and LETC window was identified. Results indicated that the simultaneous application of these two measures reduced the heating demand of the building more in Tabriz, with the least cooling degree days (CDD). Also, simulation results revealed that the simultaneous use of these measures decreased the cooling demand of the building more in Bandar Abbas, with the highest CDD. Using TC coating on the external walls and LETC windows together reduced the energy consumption of the building more in Bandar Abbas. Consequently, integrating these measures can reduce the heating demand of educational buildings more in heating-dominated climates. Also, the simultaneous use of these measures can reduce cooling demand more in cooling-dominated climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry plays a significant role in shaping our environment and economy. However, it also substantially impacts the environment, including the depletion of natural resources, increased energy consumption, and waste generation. The green building trend has recently gained significant attention in recent years to mitigate the negative impacts of the building industry, focusing on sustainable materials and practices. One of the primary materials used in this field is clay brick, which leads to soil depletion over time. In this context, this study explores the potential of sawdust waste as a partial replacement for clay in brick production, aiming to reduce the depletion of natural resources while enhancing the properties and performance of the produced bricks. The study consists of two main phases: experimental and simulation. In the experimental phase, clay brick samples were produced by adding sawdust at different ratios (1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 10% of the raw weight), and various physical and mechanical properties of the produced samples were tested to ensure their suitability for construction use. Also, the thermal properties of the proposed brick were measured to investigate the effect of sawdust addition on brick thermal insulation. Consequently, thermal conductivity and specific heat were measured. In the simulation phase, DesignBuilder software (version 7.0.2) was used to investigate the impact of the proposed material on building envelope's performance and heat gain reduction. All experimental and simulation results were compared with the traditional clay brick measurements, which reveal a significant improvement in brick properties and performance with an increase in comprehensive strength of up to 192.3% and a reduction in energy consumption reaching 11.27%. The study results showed significant improvement in the properties and performance of the produced bricks, indicating the potential of using sawdust waste as a sustainable material for green buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of energy-efficient and sustainable building materials is imperative to reduce energy consumption in the construction sector. This study addresses both the applied problem of increased solar heat gain and decreased indoor thermal comfort, as well as the scientific problem of reducing the thermal conductivity of clay bricks. It investigates the incorporation of recycled spent mushroom materials, consisting of Pleurotus florida mycelia and rice husk waste, as a novel additive in the production of fired clay bricks (FCBs) to enhance thermal insulation properties. The developed bricks were utilized in an optimized wall design for a residential building in New Cairo, Egypt. The wall design is created using energy modeling software, including Honeybee, Ladybug, Climate Studio, and Galapagos. The results demonstrate that an optimal waste content of 15% and a firing temperature of 900 °C yield the best thermal performance. Compared to traditional FCB walls, the new design incorporating the florida waste additive significantly improves thermal comfort, as indicated by a lower predicted mean vote and predicted percentage of dissatisfaction. Furthermore, the developed walls contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 6% and a decrease in total energy consumption of 38.8%. The incorporation of recycled florida waste offers a sustainable approach to enhancing standard brick fabrication processes. This work highlights the promise of agricultural waste valuation for the development of eco-friendly and energy-efficient building materials. Future research should explore the mechanical strength, acoustics, cost–benefit analysis, and field implementation of the developed walls, thereby addressing both the scientific and applied aspects of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the cold regions of China, the existing rural houses are widely distributed and in large numbers. There are widespread problems such as low thermal performance of building envelopes, high building energy consumption, and poor indoor thermal environments. Reducing the energy consumption of building heating by reforming the envelope structure can reduce the environmental pollution caused by heating. In this paper, the existing rural houses in Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province are taken as the research object, and EnergyPlus software is used to calculate building heating energy consumption, and the schemes are compared and selected via the entropy value method. Based on a comprehensive benefit evaluation, the best scheme for the renovation of building envelopes of rural houses in Tongchuan City is put forward. The research results show that the energy saving rate of buildings can reach more than 50% after renovation. In the evaluation of energy saving, incremental cost, return on investment, carbon emission reduction and unguaranteed hours, the weights are 0.1915, 0.2104, 0.2312, 1755, and 0.187, respectively. The best renovation scheme for rural housing is as follows: the thickness of the XPS board is 90 mm for exterior wall insulation; the thickness of the XPS board is 80 mm for roof insulation; the window-to-wall ratio of additional sunspace is 0.6; and the type of exterior windows is a broken-bridge hollow aluminum window of 6 + 12A + 6 (mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the significance of solar energy as a vital renewable energy source in building envelope design is becoming more and more important and needs urgent attention. Exploring solar adaptation strategies found in plants offers a wide range of effective design possibilities that can substantially improve building performance. Thus, integrating solar technologies with biomimetic solar adaptive solutions could establish a suitable combination towards a sustainable design. In this context, this study follows an interdisciplinary approach to provide a link between plants' solar adaptation strategies, building integrated photovoltaics and building envelope design. To do so, a framework has been presented using data synthesis and classification to support the potential integration of three photovoltaic (PV) technologies with plant-inspired building envelope design, facilitating a harmonizing approach between biomimetic design and the application of photovoltaic technologies in buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enlarged beam section (EBS) connection is a new moment connection developed to eliminate the shortcomings of conventional reduced beam section connections and fulfill desired performance. In EBS, the width of the flanges increases in specific locations between the desired plastic hinge and the column face of the beam to let the plastic hinge occur in a favorable region. Hence, the plastic hinge location can be controlled by manipulation of EBS parameters. In this study, the seismic performance of EBS connections under cyclic loading in the standard frameworks is investigated using finite‐element modeling. Before implementation the finite‐element model is verified by an experimental study on conventional connection. Utilizing optimum EBS parameters in the finite‐element modeling, no significant damage is predicted in weld lines and their vicinity, the column, and the connection zone. Also, no remarkable deformation or buckling instability is detected in the results. This indicates appropriate performance of the connection and formation of the plastic hinge in the desirable region. The requirements of various regulatory standards are achieved in terms on number of cycles and the total rotation. In addition, due to the ease of implementation, this connection type can be an excellent alternative to other moment connection types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of envelope construction technique has the highest impact on sustaining indoor thermal comfort while reducing energy consumed for heating and cooling. Numerous insulation codes are implemented worldwide to improve building envelope modification. Each country has set envelope transmittances criteria, materials, techniques and simulation tools differently based on its climate zones and construction sector adaptability. The housing sector in Syria is the focus of energy conservation being responsible of half of the energy consumption in the country. Syrian post-conflict residential buildings are challenged by the new implementation of Building Insulation Code. This code has opted for a "fabric first" dwellings design approach with mandatory U-value standards. Hence, like many energy-related regulations in Syria it has been dropped because the construction sector has not been able to cope with them, forced by speculators to keep costs low. Another reason is that building thermal performance modeling has not been used to comply with the new insulation code in Syria. The research aims to examine the potential relevance of the Insulation Code in informing post-war social housing envelope structures in Damascus. It evaluates compliant building envelope structures compared to conventional building in terms of transmittance properties, simulated thermal loads (IESVE) and cost–energy trade-off. The research findings reveal an improvement in U-values of 78.5%, 31.5%, 92.7% and 90.2% achieved in compliant cases 1, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, compared to conventional case-2. The simulation demonstrated best improvement in total heating loads up to 85% achieved in case-4. Hence, the improved U-value lead to improvement in winter heating loads but overheating in summertime. The simulation was found useful but not enough to optimize envelope performance through interdisciplinary decision that contributes positively to Syrian post-war circumstances. The cost analysis found an increase in wall initial construction costs, amounting to 36.4%, 27.3%, 54.6% and 45.5% in cases 1, 3, 4 and 5 with long payback periods. These findings spark a new agenda for Insulation Code improvement. The proposed simplified criteria offer practitioners more understanding to customize their own list of envelope structure parameters based on the climatic zone resulting in a shift in envelope selection from input to a more output oriented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

assessments are essential in High-Performance Building Design (HPBD) in order to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. With advancement in data analytics, rapid and accurate machine learning-based building energy consumption prediction models have emerged. These models can be used by non-professionals as an alternative to time-consuming energy simulation software, offering benefits in HPBD. Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to develop a prediction model using data generated by physics-based simulations of a typical open-plan office space. The model predicts annual energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and percentage of comfort hours during the design phase. Various configurations of Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forrest (RF), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithms were trained and tested with the generated data via the DesignBuilder software. The technical parameters considered as inputs include U-values of envelope constructions, Window to Wall Ratio (WWR), orientation, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. The results indicate that there is no clear linear relationship between individual inputs and the target indicators. However, ANN, with its ability to handle non-linear relationships, performed the best, achieving a maximum Coefficient of Determination (R2) value of 0.997 for predicting percentage of comfort hours and outperforms the other algorithms. Furthermore, the results show that RF is the next best algorithm, with 0.96 ≤ R2Test ≤ 0.98 for predicting the various target variables. SVM with Radial Basis Function (SVM-RBF) follows, with 0.89 ≤ R2Test ≤ 0.95. Contrary to ANN, SVM, and RF algorithms with high abilities to learn complex pattern between various independent parameters and the target variable, KNN exhibits the poorest performance, with 0.88 ≤ R2Test ≤ 0.91. Additionally, it is observed that with a maximum time cost of 619 s, ANN with three layers is able to learn the relationships between the inputs and target indicators at a convenient speed. Since knowledge-based decision making in the early design stages is crucial for achieving the optimum solutions to reduce energy consumption and related CO2 emissions while ensuring occupants’ comfort and minimizing future modifications and costs, high-speed and accurate prediction methods for design stage evaluation are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the optimization of kinetic facades to promote environmental sustainability in building designs, addressing the critical issues of high energy consumption and CO2 emissions prevalent in the construction sector. The focus is on achieving an intricate balance between maximizing natural daylight and minimizing solar radiation using innovative kinetic facade designs. Parametric modeling tools are utilized in the design process to experiment with various facade configurations. The effectiveness of these designs is then validated using both digital and physical prototypes, with their adaptability to diverse climatic conditions evaluated through dynamic simulations. A key component of the study is the application of the Wallacei plugin for Grasshopper, which assists in multi-objective optimization to determine the most effective facade aperture ratios. The results demonstrates a substantial reduction in solar radiation levels, with a 70% decrease on the first floor and a 76% decrease on the seventh floor, achieved by optimizing aperture ratios. The study concludes that optimizing kinetic facades significantly improves building performance compared to traditional glass facades, offering an effective balance between daylight enhancement and solar radiation reduction, influenced by seasonal changes. It also emphasizes the importance of factors such as building height and the surrounding environment in facade design. Overall, the findings highlight kinetic facades as a viable solution for improving building efficiency and occupant comfort, suggesting a promising avenue for advancements in architectural design and construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the thermal properties of three distinctive paraffin waxes—PCMA, PCMB, and PCMC—each characterized by a specific melting point. The crucial phase transition temperature intervals and latent heat values were examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range of 0 °C to 80 °C. These parameters are pivotal for the effective application of these phase change materials (PCMs) in building envelopes, influencing the overall heat storage performance. The study delved into the development and encapsulation of blends containing both the phase change material (PCM) and graphite. This involves combining the chosen PCM with graphite powder and examining the weight ratios of 10% and 20%. The thermal characteristics of these blends revealed that a 10% ratio of graphite powder proved effective in improving the PCM with graphite. This resulted in a reduced range of melting and solidification temperatures while maintaining the essential chemical structure of the PCM without additives. Furthermore, the practical application of PCM–graphite composites within a building's envelope was explored, revealing a substantial reduction in heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the building. This underscores the potential for energy-efficient building designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]