Energy Reduction, Daylight and View Quality Assessment of a Passive Dynamic Facade in Hot Arid Climate

Abstract

Purpose This research aims to create a passive dynamic system with immediate responses to environmental conditions without needing an energy source to operate and reduce operation and maintenance costs. Design/Methodology/Approach There has been growing awareness in recent years of the energy consumption and interior environmental comfort of buildings. Substantial evaluation of the building envelope and indoor human experience is required to develop sustainable solutions, create a responsive system that enhances building performance and human comfort in terms of energy consumption and daylight quality. In this paper, a new proposed advanced integrated façade called a passive dynamic shading device (PDSD) is revealed. The system is designed to contribute to energy reduction, daylight availability, and view quality through its ability to change position and placement to respond and adapt to new climate conditions. The thermal expansion phenomenon was used in the actuation process, with heat-activated actuators that correspond to specific dry-bulb temperatures. This paper concisely demonstrates the functional mechanism and performance of the PDSD. Sophisticated energy and daylight simulations have been executed to distinguish between three case studies. Each case represents one architectural option: 1- without shading devices. 2- with conventional fix shading devices. 3- PDSD. Findings The result shows the PDSD can efficiently reduce overall energy consumption by up to 50%, increase the amount and quality of daylight by up to 60% compared to fixed shading devices, and obstruct the view from the interior 22% of the year. Research Limitations/Implications The limitation was with the thermal expansion mechanism since it expands due to the rise of temperature, which led to system movement in the ineffective time of a day. Social/Practical Implications The study is Creating a new affordable dynamic system comparing with an active dynamic façade system. The system is applicable on any building scale with simple construction. Originality/Value Unlike other dynamic façade system studies, in this study, the goal is to create a new passive system using the thermal expansion phenomenon and evaluate its effectiveness on energy reduction, daylight availability, and view quality.