Future Façades
Building-integrated photovoltaics capture the solar radiation and turn it into energy
impact on the capital cost of Electrical and Mechanical systems and the building’s subsequent operational cost. In addition to economical aspects, building façades have both positive and negative effects on work performance as well. Negative effects are associated with discomforts, distractions or health risks that interfere with peoples’ ability to do their work whereas positive impacts are associated with enhancing work performance, psychosocial well-being, and health to enhance overall performance. FAÇADE IMPLICATIONS ON OCCUPANT HEALTH & PERFORMANCE Performance enhancement is more likely to come from a different set of building features and attributes that affect performance. Lighting that produces glare or visual discomfort is more likely to be associated with headaches and eye problems. Glare due to direct solar penetration and the lack of luminous uniformity across the space distorts the perception of good indoor daylighting. As per a field study of office workers, it is found that workers who had window views of nature felt less frustrated and more patient, and reported more overall life satisfaction and better health than workers who did not have visual
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WFM | JAN - FEB 2022
by identifying the most feasible and cost-effective options for the project. The quantified results help owners, architects and engineers to make informed design decisions. Below are the images which demonstrate the pattern of direct sun ingress into space and subsequent placement of workstations to achieve glare-free daylight in indoor spaces:
access to the outdoors or whose view consisted of built elements only. The positive effects of nature may also extend to the immune system, thereby directly affecting human physical health. Thereby, one of the perennial challenges in designing façades is to achieve an even distribution of diffused daylight across the building section. USE OF COMPUTER SIMULATIONS FOR FAÇADE OPTIMISATION To achieve optimised façade design from energy efficiency, cost efficiency and occupant comfort perspective, there are specialised computer simulations conducted viz. Wind CFD Analysis, Solar & Daylight Analysis, Glare & Visual Comfort Analysis, Natural Ventilation Analysis, Parametric Modelling. Whereas, for making cost-based decisions on façade, Life Cycle Cost Analysis is also undertaken to enable owners to make more thoughtful decisions. These computer simulations conducted at different stages of the projects help optimise the building designs to enhance performance and achieve comfort at the same time. The simulations are aimed to evaluate building designs for identifying potential concerns and providing solutions to ensure appropriate façade design
Images demonstrating the pattern of direct sun ingress into space
Below is the image of Wind CFD analysis conducted to optimise the window openings within the courtyard of this office building.
Wind CFD analysis conducted to optimise the window openings within the courtyard of the office building
