Assisting the development of innovative responsive façade elements using building performance simulation

Assisting the development of innovative responsive façade elements using building performance simulation

de Klijn-Chevalerias, M.L. (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Loonen, R.C.G.M. (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Zarzycka, A. (Eindhoven University of Technology)
de Witte, D. (TU Delft Design of Constrution)
Sarakinioti, M.V. (TU Delft Design Informatics)
Hensen, J.L.M. (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Turrin, Michela (editor)
Peters, Brady (editor)
O'Brien, William (editor)
Stouffs, Rudi (editor)
Dogan, Timur (editor)

2017

Thermal mass is usually positively associated with energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings. However, the slow response of heavyweight constructions is not beneficial at all times, as these dynamic effects may actually also increase heating and cooling energy demand during intermittent operation or can cause unwanted discomfort. This study investigates the potential of energy simulations to support the exploration-driven development of two innovative responsive building elements: “Spong3D” and “Convective Concrete”. Both use fluid flow (Spong3D: water, Convective Concrete: air) inside the construction to reduce building energy demand by exploiting the use of natural energy sinks and sources in the ambient environment, aiming to make more intelligent use of thermal mass. During the development of these concepts, different simulation tools were used alongside experiments for e.g. materials selection, climate analysis, comfort prediction and risk assessment. By presenting the results from a series of simulation studies and by reflecting on their application, this paper shows how computational building performance analyses can play a useful role in ill-defined R&D processes.

thermal mass
adaptive façade
building simulation
energy performance
thermal comfort
design decision support
product development
physics-based simulation in design

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3a725c82-3800-4ac7-b00f-11aa8335c746

Simulation Councils, Toronto

978-1-365-88878-6

Proceedings of the Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design 2017: SimAUD 2017

Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design, 2017-05-22 → 2017-05-24, Toronto, Canada

Institutional Repository

conference paper

© 2017 M.L. de Klijn-Chevalerias, R.C.G.M. Loonen, A. Zarzycka, D. de Witte, M.V. Sarakinioti, J.L.M. Hensen