International Journal of

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One of the most important methods of saving energy and providing indoor comfort conditions of buildings is the careful design of the façades. A “double skin glass façade” is optimally one of the best options that control the heat interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces. Two kinds of heating energy is usually transmitted through exterior envelope “conduction” and “radiation”. Double skin glass façades (DSFg) are designed to manage these energies and in some special conditions, can prepare determined convection. The total solar radiation energy that can be received into the interior space, is one of the most important parameters for estimating the cooling load of the building and its occupants’ thermal comfort. DSFg also provides flexibility in architectural design. Recently, it has been more attention to double skin glass façades opposed to the most typically curtain walls for its ability to efficiently reduce energy consumption and therefore save cost. The design of the double skin glass façade involves decisions of geometric parameters, glass selection, ventilation strategy, shading, daylighting, wind loads, and maintenance and cleaning cost expectations. In this article, the authors intend to investigate features of double skin glass facade in reducing air pollution, air conditioning, fire safety and in the optimal use of sunlight within the building. In another part, this article will pay attention to the effect of wind, shading, type of glass and ventilation in the space between skins on the performance of double skin glass façade and their effect on energy saving. Finally, the authors analyze the rate of energy transfer from the double skin glass facade and provide four case studies. In addition, this paper shall review previous studies done on DSFg systems in building for saving energy.

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Nowadays, due to rapid urbanization, People can’t participate in outdoor activities. On the other hand, environmental issues such as climate change and heat stress have caused thermal dissatisfaction for users. In this regard, studying outdoor environments becomes crucial. In the present historical context, lack of responsive urban layout consequences not only morphological problems but also causes thermal dissatisfaction during the passages. The present study aims to find the responsive layout pattern for providing an approximate outdoor thermal comfort based on local criteria and limitations in summer and winter; which requires the minimum intervention in the current context.  In this regard, we intend to represent three basic street patterns (Linear, Grid, and Circular) as alternative designs and attempt to localize them with the current urban layout. For analyzing the prototypes, we used Envi-met Beta software to compare the average amount of climatic factors, orientation, and H/W ratio for the alternatives. In addition, the PMV factor (=Predicted Mean Vote Model) was used as a measurement index of outdoor thermal comfort. According to the outcomes, the Radial pattern with dominant NE-SW oriented passages prepares adequate solar energy in the winter. Also, it could balance the high radiation during the summer, whereby provides optimal thermal satisfaction in both hot and cold seasons.

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Energy-efficient buildings reduce energy demand. The parameters of the building envelope, as an interface between the interior of the building and the outdoor environment, can greatly influence energy consumption. The main objective of this study is to ‎optimize the parameters of buildings’ envelopes for reducing energy consumption while ‎considering‏ ‏the common style of architectural design in cold-dry regions. The case study research methodology is used to investigate the effect of various openings characteristics on the energy performance of the building. This paper studied one of the stories of a high-rise residential building as the case study and component blocks were used for the rest of the stories. To find an ‎energy-efficient model for the buildings’ façade, considering the effective parameters, ‎numerous simulations were performed by the EnergyPlus as an energy simulation engine. The factors analyzed in this article included the type of glazing, the type of window frame, the window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and shading placement. The results show that a combination of Low-E ‎glazing ‎ and Argon gas with a 5.98% reduction, a UPVC window frame with a 0.36% ‎reduction, a WWR of 30% with a 1.57% increase, an overhang shading with 20cm thickness ‎and 15cm depth with a 1.12% reduction in annual energy consumption can cause a total ‎reduction of 2.45% in annual energy consumption compared to the initial model.‎‏ ‏These ‎changes did not compromise the required lighting for the interior spaces while reducing the ‎energy consumption of the building.

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In the current study, an endeavor is undertaken to formulate specific recommendations for the design of facades pertaining to infill buildings situated in the proximity of valuable urban Qajar residences within the Mazandaran province. The conspicuous lack of such directives within the regulatory framework of this region is noteworthy. The imposition of guidelines pertaining to façade design is imperative to establish visual congruence between contemporary structures and historical Qajar edifices in the urban landscapes of Mazandaran province. The present investigation employs a comprehensive approach, integrating both the interpretive-historical strategy and the logical argumentation strategy. A scrutiny of 30 valuable urban Qajar residences in Mazandaran province is conducted, wherein their distinctive features are systematically classified under eight discernible categories. Subsequently, a conceptual framework is developed by leveraging Semes' design strategies model and drawing inspiration from Groat's theoretical framework. Concurrently, the practicalities inherent in Mazandaran's urban conservation system are taken into consideration. This conceptual framework serves as the foundation for the articulation of facade design recommendations, delineating acceptable design methodologies for its constituent elements. Within this framework, a concerted effort is exerted to advocate conservative strategies for the macro elements of facade design, juxtaposed with latitude for more abstract approaches when addressing the micro elements. It is noteworthy that the intentional opposition approach is deemed unsuitable. Ultimately, drawing upon typological analyses of the compiled samples and adhering to the established framework, a series of recommendations for facade design is proffered. This study serves as a foundational step toward the formulation of design guidelines tailored to the historic districts of Mazandaran.

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In contemporary contexts, optimizing energy consumption and ensuring thermal comfort for occupants in hot and arid climates necessitates prioritizing the shielding of buildings from solar radiation and heat. This study employed simulation techniques utilizing Rhino software, Grasshopper plugin, and Climate Studio plugin to determine the most suitable facade design in terms of energy efficiency, considering the thermal performance of office building facades in Tehran. The investigation evaluated the thermal performance of four facade systems: three variations of double-skin facade (Buffer system, Extract-air system, Twin-face system), and a kinetic facade. Detailed calculations were conducted for heating, cooling, and electrical energy consumption, with results compared using monthly and annual charts. Simulation outcomes indicate that, under constant conditions, the kinetic facade exhibits superior energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting its components, including rotation direction and opening/closing mechanisms, resulting in a 42.3% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional double-skin facades. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that annual energy consumption, encompassing cooling, heating, and electric lighting, is lower on the southern facade than on the northern facade. Notably, the kinetic facade, with its adaptable design, demonstrates significant performance in energy reduction compared to other facade types, establishing it as the preferred option in this study. Employing intelligent self-adaptive systems, a portion of the facade is configured as a canopy, effectively mitigating building cooling and heating loads by regulating solar radiation, thus enhancing environmental comfort for occupants while minimizing energy loss.

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Various methods have been employed in vernacular architecture, to achieve energy efficiency in different regions worldwide, especially in facade designs. In Iran, most vernacular buildings are still in use without major modifications and renovations, even in harsh climatic conditions. This study uses mathematical analysis to conduct a quantitative approach toward principles used in the façade design of Bushehr's vernacular architecture. The research critically examined the physical characteristics of eight residential buildings, which were selected as case studies. These parameters included window-to-wall ratios, the surface area for each facade, and the size of different openings concerning height and weight. These physical characteristics of the selected houses were systematically extracted for both the interior and exterior facades, delineating eighteen criteria. The statistical analyses were done using IBM SPSS Statistics version 16.0. The results revealed fourteen linear models—six models related to the exterior facades, five models concerned with interior facades, and three models about the opening. Although the linear models are specific to the vernacular architecture of Bushehr, the research method and approach outlined in this study have the potential to contribute to a framework that can be used by other researchers to uncover underlying principles in vernacular facades elsewhere around the world.
 

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Any scientific activity or instrumental application involving façades—such as research, design, evaluation, and decision-making—requires a comprehensive set of criteria to cover all expected requirements. This highlights the necessity of a study to explore, gather, and organize a holistic set of criteria for the evaluation, study, design, and decision-making regarding façades. Moreover, establishing a comprehensive list of criteria is essential but insufficient on its own. It is equally important to achieve a mutual understanding of these criteria, providing experts and researchers with a common language and understanding regarding façades. Although various criteria have been mentioned in different façade-related research, a summary study to gather, organize, and reliably define these criteria is needed to improve the logical applications of façades and facilitate mutual understanding. This study aims to take the first step in meeting this requirement by describing each criterion relevant to façade assessment. In this context, a systematic library-based research approach was employed, reviewing 71 related papers. Criteria were then extracted using an exploratory study based on open and axial coding methods. Ultimately, 42 criteria were identified and organized into five primary categories: environmental aspects, social impacts, economic aspects, efficiency and effectiveness, and technical aspects.