Energy Reduction Facade Renovation System: for different building typologies and climates

from BT Bundle 2021

Solar Morphing Kinetic Envelope

By Iason Vovos

Current renovation practices cannot reach the energy reduction goal that the European Union has set by 2050. The traditional renovation methods are very time-consuming and cannot ensure the final energy improvement. The aim of this thesis focuses on the design of a prefabricated modular façade system that can be adaptable to different building typologies and climates. The main focus is to create a system that will reduce the current energy demands of existing buildings while at the same time giving the opportunity for a faster renovation approach.

To achieve this goal different design tools have been used to develop a “Generic design” that can incorporate different energy reduction components according to the building needs. Additionally, a series of different attachment methods have been developed in order to render that the system capable to be installed in different building typologies. The selection of the appropriate energy reduction components is achieved by using simulations according to the climate characteristics of the location and the building’s orientation. As far as the attachment of the system to the buildings is concerned, is achieved by analyzing the existing situation and the construction materials of the existing facade and select the appropriate attachment method.

The final product consists of different principles and tools that are related to the materials, energy reduction, adaptability, and aesthetics that an existing building could integrate into an energy reduction renovation.