Optimal orientation and automatic control of external shading devices in office buildings

Abstract

Movable shading devices are often used to control solar radiation falling on large glazed surfaces in contemporary non‐residential buildings. The paper presents some studies on optimal orientation of building in relation to the type of adopted shading devices and their control logic, in case of adjustable ones. Optimal orientation is the one minimising total annual primary energy demand, including artificial lighting and climatisation, giving the same thermal and luminous comfort. A case study, a room of an office building, has been analysed by means of computer simulations. The external wall of the room is entirely glazed. The effects of three different shading elements configuration are compared. The simulations have been performed in three Italian climates (Venice, Rome, Trapani).