Energy-efficient design of building facade, inspired by human skin

Abstract

A great amount of energy consumed is utilised to provide comfort in buildings. Windows (all transparent walls) are one of the factors for waste of energy. This study uses the characteristics of human skin as a protective layer and an interface between the inside and outside of the body to attempt to improve the performance of windows or transparent walls of a building facade. Simultaneously, the process of design and solving the problem is articulated, and the characteristics of human skin are discovered. Then, the traits of human skin are applied to enhance the diverse functions of building facades. Finally, from among more than 15 preliminary designs based on human skin characteristics, a vertical shading system is presented that can control the incoming radiation. The design is evaluated in two modes: controlled by temperature and by the intensity of sunlight. The results show that more than 10% of energy consumption is reduced with movable shading systems. An independent study of energy consumption for cooling, heating and lighting shows it is more reasonable to use the temperature-controlled shading system, which can save 23–25% of the annual cost of energy.