Thermal performance of a double-skin façade exposed to direct solar radiation in the tropical climate of Malaysia: A case study

Abstract

With high incident solar radiations on the East-West facades under the tropical climate of Malaysia, the indoor spaces adjacent to the glazed facades will become overheated. The application of Double skin-facade (DSF) is one of the solar heat gain control techniques in the tropics. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the DSF in controlling the heat gain under the direct solar radiation of the West orientation in the tropics, Malaysia. Investigation was conducted in a certified energy-efficient building with DSF. A general space of the lift lobby adjoining the DSF oriented west was investigated. Indoor/Outdoor air-temperatures, surface temperatures, Global/Vertical-west solar radiation and indoor air velocities were measured during the longest days of the summer solstice from 21st to 30th of June. The results indicated that the double skin façade DSF is effective in controlling the heat gain occurrence due to the variation of temperature between outdoor and indoor and the differences in surface temperatures. It is, however, inadequate to protect indoor from the penetration of the tropical direct solar radiation. The peak indoor air temperature varies from 26.4 °C to 27.6 °C in the adjacent general space to the DSF, thus increasing the building cooling requirements.