Abstract
Adaptive facades can greatly impact a building’s energy balance by responding to
external climates and by regulating internal conditions. With the integration of solar energy harvesting components, they have the potential not only to reduce the energy loss of buildings but also to gain energy. This premise has been tested within the framework of bio-inspired compliant mechanisms for adaptive façade elements, developed at the University of Stuttgart.
Due to the flexible kinematic behavior of bio-inspired adaptive architectural elements, an innovative and simple alternative to common, more complex applications of adaptive façade components is obtained. The research presented aims at establishing the environmental criteria that will lead to an improved energy performance of a building using elastically deformable, adaptive faҫade elements with integrated photovoltaics. Through simulations and physical testing, the influence of daylight, solar radiation, and the building´s thermal balance are evaluated. The findings of this research are showcased on an adaptive façade consisting of
pneumatically actuated, glass fiber-reinforced plastic laminates with integrated photovoltaics, assembled at Botanical Garden in Freiburg, Germany. Relying on environmental sensing, this façade is able to adapt over time in response to solar conditions with the goal of finding the right balance between low-energy building operation, high indoor environmental quality, and high energy harvesting. This study provides a novel, integrative design method utilizing adaptive building envelopes that successfully react to varying environmental conditions in an energy-efficient and cost-effective manner.
Links and resources
Tags
community
