ARC6770 Climate Sensitive Environmental Design

Dynamic Facades and Construction

Building Design Options to Manage Comfort and Heat Transfer
Dr Adrian Pitts
Introduction
This presentation is concerned with new emerging dynamic and active facades and other
elements of building construction that is being utilised to manage comfort and heat transfer in
buildings - the presentation is UK focused but with wide applicability.
It will also compare the UK situation with that which exists in other countries; it considers
what might be learnt from a climatic perspective and a design perspective. There will be inclusion
in the presentation of examples of features of design utilised in other climates/locations that may
be transferable to future UK conditions The presentation will not attempt to quantify the effect of
change or remediation measures but rather it will attempt to illustrate some of the design options
that may be possible. What is clear however is that buildings will need to become more robust in
operation (that is, better isolated from the effects of external climatic variables and more able to
withstand climatic extremes) and more adaptable (that is, able to be modified on a seasonal, or
even daily basis, to match variations in the climate).
The long-lived nature of buildings, particularly in the UK, where lifespans in excess of 100
years are common, mean that all new building construction and major refurbishments must be
capable of dealing with the climatic changes expected over the next century. In any case the
resource cost, not to say economic cost, of rebuilding/replacing mistakes that are unable to cope
with changing climate may be too high to bear for a second time.
A particular focus of design should be on the building envelope faades and roofs and
how these features interact with climate. Moderating features within the building are also important
where they modify solar gain and air distribution. The weak links between indoor and outdoor
conditions must be better controlled, particularly where glazing is concerned. If designs persist that
are not able to control heat transfer, this will lead to excessive demands on environmental
servicing systems. In future energy scenarios with high energy costs or less reliable supplies, there
may be problems in maintaining sources of energy to meet demand especially if it is further
increased by global warming induced air conditioning. Interruptions to power supplies would make
many commercial glass blocks uninhabitable in warm weather. It is interesting to note that in many
countries with rather more extreme climates than that of the UK less intensively serviced buildings
are often to be found and are also able to provide acceptable if not ideal conditions for occupants.
Despite the perceived focus of concerns on how to deal with the warmer summer
conditions that are expected with climate change it should be remembered that winter heating
needs will continue to be substantial in the UK; even in countries such as Greece energy used for
heating is more important than for cooling taken over the whole year.
In discussions surrounding this issue the importance of building occupants, in terms of their
reaction to environmental conditions and the ways in which they utilise buildings, must not be
underestimated and there are lessons to be learnt from overseas in this respect too.
The UK climate and comparisons to other locations
First one must be aware of features that make the climate of the UK somewhat unique.
Even before the effects of global climate change are felt, the UK climate is relatively warm and
temperate given its latitude. This is due to the moderating effects of the surrounding seas and the
warming effect of the Gulf Stream. The significance of this is that when one compares the UK to
other countries at the same latitude, in many situations the climate varies considerably: coastal
areas are often cooler whilst continental locations are warmer in summer but cooler in winter.
Considering for locations with similar temperature profiles to that of the UK, the relative position of
the sun in the sky is often higher in those places. The design techniques to be used must therefore
be correctly interpreted and applied.

A second concern relates to the affect of the Gulf Stream, which some experts have
suggested may be reduced by secondary climate change influences and that perhaps the
adaptation should be matched to the climates of cooler climates for instance Eastern Canada or
Nordic countries rather than the south of France. At present the expectation is that reductions in
Gulf Stream warming will be more than offset by temperature rise. Climate is likely to become more
volatile however with perhaps wetter winters and warmer drier summers. Variations across the UK
are also likely to become more pronounced so that strategies suitable in the northwest may not be
suitable in the southeast.
In considering the effect of the sun on building design there are implications for both
summer and winter because of the relatively low angle of the sun in the UK. In winter this means
that in order to make use of beneficial passive heat gain the spacing between buildings must be
relatively large by comparison to ensure solar access (typically 60-70% wider than say for the
south of France). In summer the low angle of the sun also means that shading devices and
overhangs must be designed to be larger to give the necessary protection (typically 40-50% wider
than for the south of France). If solar radiation is to be used in more active systems the angles at
which the devices are positioned with respect to buildings surfaces (walls and roofs) must also be
adjusted. In other words it is not just as simple as transferring technologies directly from locations
with the same temperature profile as that expected under a global warming scenario
Features of Design
In this section a number of design elements are considered that are already being used or trialled
in other locations which may make a bigger impact than at present
Faade Design
Faade design for warmer conditions will lead to more articulation in shape and form if
examples from other countries it considered. Better intrinsic self-shading devices are
common and often such devices are moveable in response to solar altitude.
Renewable energy devices are likely to be more widely used as an integrated element
thermal collectors are likely to be of the evacuated tube type photovoltaic systems can be
used not only to generate electricity at point of use but also to provide shading.
Double skin systems are also likely to become more common they provide additional
buffer space between indoors and outdoors and a means to integrate ventilation systems
and shading systems.
Winter conditions may bring higher wind speeds and greater rainfall meaning sealants may
need to be upgraded to cope. Airtightness will also be required to control air infiltration.
Rotating or moveable elements allow modification of facades to either restrict solar gain or
enhance it by exposure.
Alternative materials may become more common and greater variability in choice may bring
a need for new building practices in the UK
Systems that incorporate good natural ventilation potential will have to incorporate improve
acoustic attenuation
Shading and Glazing
The use of clear glazing is likely to reduce and heat absorbing glasses will require greater
care in specification. Heat reflecting glazing is likely to increase however there will also
need to be consideration of the requirements for daylight if natural light is restricted by use
of glasses that reduce daylight
Triple and quadruple glazing systems, and systems with thermal coatings or insulating gas
fillings are likely to become more common
External shading devices are likely to play a greater role in reducing heat gain and
overhangs will be designed to provide shade too
Alternative developing glazing systems such as thermochromic and electrochromic options,
though expensive, may become common too
Control of light admission through use of novel daylighting systems using diffusers and
even prismatic and holographic elements may offer new opportunities.

Ventilation
Around the world there are many warm countries that make substantial use of natural
ventilation or mixed mode systems. The depth of floor plans and interior obstructions to air
flow will need to be considered at the design stage. Their may be some more sophisticated
assisted air flow options available with the use of double skins
Looking to warmer counties some new varieties of traditional systems used to increase air
flow may be needed. These could include wind catchers, solar chimneys, openings over
doors and through the building to allow cross-flow
In the UK there is still likely to be a diurnal variation between day and night temperatures
that will offer some building fabric cooling options through night-time ventilation
With warming will come some problems associated with ventilation openings however: the
potential for insect and other intrusions as well as security issues with weak points in the
fabric
Mass and thermal inertia
The use of the thermal inertia effect in the mass of the building may be further exploited as
there should be opportunities to both expose surfaces with absorbing capacity to the solar
input and also use pre-cooling by night ventilation
The positioning and exposure of thermal mass will need to be designed for carpeting on
floors will need to be rerstricted
Novel techniques such as phase change materials may even make an impact
Insulation
Insulation layers are likely to be thicker so as to provide additional re4duction in heat flows
into and out of the building. Such thicker layers will need to be accommodated in revised
design as already happens in a number of other countries. The positions of cavities and
use of vapour barriers will need to be considered wind driven rain issues
Alternative insulation options such as Transparent Insulation materials (TIM) may be
utilised in a controlled way. Other new materials such as aerogels may also have an
impact.
Low energy cooling
Alternatives to air-conditioning will probably make a useful impact if the evidence of other
countries can be used. On-site renewable energy sources offer one opportunity as does
absorption refrigeration.
Heat pumps (air or ground source) may also be a useful energy source for cooling and air
movement systems.
Greater use of evaporative cooling can be made
Better ventilation flows can be encouraged
Paddle fans though not particularly aesthetically pleasing can be effective
Occupant Issues
Building occupants are the key to successful operation of a building in environmental terms
providing that the building does not create too much discomfort and allows adaptation. The
adaptation is not just of building features and its service systems but also of the occupants
themselves. In passive buildings choices should exist to allow occupants to modify their position,
alter the effect of building components where possible, and also adapt themselves (clothing and
location) to be more comfortable. There is much evidence to suggest that occupants are more
forgiving of less than ideal conditions if they are both aware of and involved in design from the
outset and if they have abilities to modify their situation. In this respect more naturally conditioned
buildings may have psychological advantages over more artificial environments. The work of
Fergus Nicol and Michael Humphreys in the UK, Richard DeDear in Australia and Gail Brager in
the USA amongst others has demonstrated great potential in this area both for design and
operation of buildings.
There is also a need for better understanding and close working through the whole project between
architects/designers and environmental designers, services engineers