2.4.6 Walls

Thus, silica aerogel has been chosen as a main thermal insulation material to be used in

the retrofit of the building components.

References:

 http://www.thermablok.co.uk/products/thermabloksp-aerogel-blanket  http://www.thermablok.co.uk/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2012/07/thermabloksptechdata.pdf  http://aerogels.en.ec21.com/Aerogel_Thermal_Insulation_Panels-4177198_4177258.html  http://www.aerogel.com/products/pdf/Pyrogel_6650_DS.pdf  http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-solids-d_154.html

2.4.6 Walls

The wall insulating materials are to be added to the base concrete material in order to

improve thermal insulation of the building as well as minimizing indirect solar heat gains.

The various combinations of materials could be chosen and added either on the inside or

outside of the building surfaces. Ideally, the addition of insulating layers to the external wall surfaces should be considered in order to have a little/no effect on the spaces inside

the building.

The external and internal wall finishes are to be reflecting. This is to do with lowering

indirect solar heat gains and maximising lighting levels inside the building respectively. Those materials/finishes typically are light in colours and provide good reflectance.

Because the night-to-day temperature swing is rather small, materials with high thermal

mass (high heat-storage capacity) are of little benefit, but they can be used to minimize

indirect solar heat gain effect to the inside of building.

Thus, the retrofitting of the wall materials considers:

 A good thermal insulation

 A good indirect solar energy shading

 A well designed finishes for improved lighting levels and comfort