Building Envelope Design for thermal consideration

Abstract
This research focuses on investigation of building envelope design, particularly
focusing on climatic considerations. Kinetic facades are gaining popularity as a
successful methodology for controlling thermal building performance and energy
loads. However, their performance in different climates is an important design
consideration. If properly designed, they create a buffer zone between the internal
and external environment, thus reducing necessary cooling and heating loads.
There are several key parameters that influence design and performance, but
building location and climate should be prevailing considerations. In this study,
building faade design strategies are investigated for hot and arid, and cold
climates. Building envelope performance is investigated by modeling energy
performance of different design scenarios.
The differences today center on improved standards and requirements concerning
performance of the individual elements that make up the building envelope.

Keywords: building envelope - climate based - sustainable design - performance - thermal

comfort
1.0 Introduction
Energy efficiency in buildings can be achieved through a multipronged approach involving
adoption of bioclimatic architectural principles responsive to the climate of the particular
location; use of materials with low embodied energy; reduction of transportation energy;
incorporation of efficient structural design; implementation of energy-efficient building systems;
and effective utilization of renewable energy sources to power the building.
The building envelope encompasses the entire exterior surface of a building, including walls,
doors, and windows, which enclose, or envelope the interior spaces. Weaknesses in the building
envelope can result in several undesirable effects, from moisture infiltration, often leading to
mold and mildew; damage caused by wind loads, high energy costs, ongoing maintenance
problems, and failure of one or more architectural and engineering building systems. Any of
these scenarios, and the numerous ripple effects that may ensue, can potentially increase risk and
liability concerns for architects, design professionals, building owners, and occupants.
As a barrier to the indoor environment, facade systems can help to mitigate
various environmental problems, will decrease the need for mechanical systems
like HVAC and artificial lighting, add to the occupants' comfort, and potentially
could be used to generate electricity. These systems are not intended to replace
the mechanical systems, but they could decrease the energy demands of the
building significantly.

2.0 Aim
To study the sustainable design of 'facade' of the building envelope for high rise
commercial or residential buildings in the Indian context.

3.0 Research questions and objective

To study the various sustainable designs of building envelopes and their effect on the internal
environment, particularly in the Indian context.
To study different solutions for a building envelope for a passive design based on the materials
available in the market as well as materials and techniques under development.
To understand the rating systems encouraging sustainable savings by utilising envelopes on an
International and National level.
To understand the potential and reasons for lack of sustainable practices in Kerala.

4.0 Scope and limitation

The building envelope involves all assemblies like the roof, walls and foundation systems.
Based on the observations, different methods to achieve a sustainable design for building envelope is
discussed, with prime focus on facade of commercial buildings, that passively induce ventilation and
natural lighting.
The scale of the research does not consider the design of all types of building envelopes in every
climate and zeroes in on the necessity of kinetic facade in the present scenario.
High rise commercial buildings have been taken as the subject of study as
urbanization has led to creation of high density development which are now
typically glass or concrete boxes.

5.0 Literature review

Zero Energy Building Envelope Components

This paper is a detailed review of the literature on the zero (or near zero) energy
building (ZEB) envelope components, along with the possible developments in the
future for the benefit of the building designers and constructors. It strives to
provide the state of the art on the various building envelope components such as
insulation materials, future insulation materials, walls, roofs, windows, doors and
glazing from the prospects of energy efficiency.
A building envelope is what separates the indoor and outdoor environments of a building.
It is the key factor that determines the quality and controls the indoor conditions irrespective
of transient outdoor conditions.
A number of traditional approaches and future components are investigated along with their
advantages and disadvantages. Currently, while some of these advances in envelope
component technologies are easy and cost effective to adopt, others still remain in the

research and development phase for future applicability. Several studies have been
performed to find the economic feasibility of various building energy efficiency strategies.
Cost-benefit analysis of some of these energy efficiency strategies for a cooling dominated
desert climate is presented by Sadineni et al (Suresh et al., 2011). Energy efficiency
approaches sometimes might not require additional capital investment. For example, a
holistic energy efficient building design approach can reduce the size of mechanical systems
compensating the additional cost of energy efficiency features.

6.0 Study from literature

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
The primary design objective for any building envelope is to sustain conditions of
thermal, visual and acoustic comfort with minimum energy consumption6 . Thus,
controlling physical environmental factors (heat, light, sounds) must be considered
during the design process. Currently, there are not widely-adopted guidelines for the
design of double skin walls, but rather selected sources for best practices1,7.
Typically, criteria that apply to single skin facades also apply to double skin facades,
therefore this section outlines parameters for thermal, visual and acoustic comfort
with respect to local environmental conditions. Variables that affect the
performance of double skin faade include: External Environment: Air temperature
Solar radiation

National Codes and Standards

Government of India has launched the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) code. This
code is voluntary and applicable to buildings or complexes that have a connected load of 500 KW or
a contract demand of 600 KVA, whichever is greater.
This code addresses the minimum performance standards for energy efficiency
in a building covering building envelope, mechanical systems & equipment,
service hot water heating, interior & exterior lighting and electrical power &
motors. This is an excellent initiative which will enable design of high
performance buildings.
Institutions focusing on Sustainable Development in India
TERI
A unique developing-country institution, TERI is deeply committed to every aspect of sustainable
development .All activities in TERI move from formulating local and national-level strategies to
suggesting global solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues.
IGBC
The Indian Green Building Council has a vision to enable a sustainable built environment for all and
facilitate India to be one of the global leaders in sustainable built environment by 2025.
Rating Programs
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system
developed by the US Green Building Council is now recognised as an international rating system and

followed by more than 24 countries. The LEED rating system has been indigenized by the IGBC to
suit the national context and priorities.
LEED certified buildings often have a 25% - 30% lower energy usage than
conventional buildings. But while this program is effective in making buildings
more sustainable, its reach is stunted by several problems.
LEED-INDIA programme works on whole building approach to sustainability by recognizing 5 key
areas namely: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and
indoor environmental quality.
A LEED rated building consumes 30-50% lower energy as compared to a conventional building.
These buildings are designed to surpass the ASHRAE 90.1.2004 standards or ECBC (Energy
Conservation Building Code).
GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment)
The alternative green building rating system that developed by The Energy and
Resources Institute (TERI) and has now been adopted by the MNRE as the
National Green Building Rating System in India. GRIHA incorporates within itself
various other building codes and guidelines like National Building Code, Energy
Conservation Building Code, Ministry of Environment and Forests clearance for
construction, Pollution Control guidelines by the Central Pollution Control Board,
etc.

7.0 Conclusion
It has become the need of the hour for global corporations to have sensitively designed buildings
which reflect their values, concerns for environment and the image of the new age.
India has a hot dry climate where heat gain becomes a constant problem.
Adding to the misery is the ever growing demand for energy in an already
energy deficient country. It calls for designing buildings with sensitivity towards
climate that is both energy efficient and draws vernacular solutions

Reference

Zero Energy Building Envelope Components: A Review Sunil Kumar Sharma

Vol. 3, Issue 2, March -April 2013, pp.662-675