Conceptual Designs of Kinetic Facade Systems

Abstract

To make buildings more energy-efficient, reduce harmful atmospheric emissions, improve the quality of the indoor environment, researchers from several countries have designed (and in some cases, made) conceptual kinetic facades. These have different designs, materials, and control methods. Kinetic facades as an architectural solution are still at infancy in Russia for several reasons. This paper presents the concept of a building featuring kinetic facades for a city in the south of Russia. The appeal of such innovative shading systems comes from extreme exposure to sunlight during the hot seasons, which overheats the indoors, necessitates expensive air conditioning, and creates luminous discomfort. The paper presents the kinetic facade parameters calculated with adjustment for solar geometry and the orientation of the facade. Computer simulations of two facade designs prove both effective for shielding.