Adaptive Building Envelope: An Integral Approach to Indoor Environment Control in Buildings

Abstract

The problem of energy consumption of buildings is complex and multidimensional, as it is a cross section of building envelope performance, indoor environmental conditions and user demands and preferences. In order to fulfil the EU goal stated in the 2020 climate and energy package and beyond, the implementation of high-performance buildings is crucial. Part of the solution is properly designed, flexible and adequately controlled building envelope that can contribute to reduced energy consumption and to increased occupancy comfort. In the presented chapter first, a structured treatment of the indoor environment formation is proposed that can be used in order to define appropriate fields of interventions when designing building automation systems. Furthermore, interaction between adaptive building envelope elements, indoor and exterior environment is discussed and elaborated. Second, the conventional and artificial intelligence control approaches used in building automation are discussed and commented, whereas advantages and disadvantages of each group are discussed. At the end, an example of building automation system designed on the principles of a holistic treatment of indoor environment in buildings is presented. The discussed system was designed at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering using a combination of conventional and artificial intelligence control methods.

Testing Activities for Technological and Normative Validation of Bio-Based Components in Façade System Modules

“…The building envelope represents an important building component, since it serves as a multifaceted system tasked with delineating outdoor and indoor environments while meeting stringent criteria and integrating diverse technologies encompassing thermal, Buildings 2024, 14, 1105 2 of 21 acoustic, and mechanical performance [16,17], ensuring indoor comfort [18] and energy performance [19]. The current benchmark for curtain wall façades is represented using aluminum components, glazed panels, and mineral wool as insulation, which is a mature technology within the market.…”

Testing Activities for Technological and Normative Validation of Bio-Based Components in Facade System Modules

“…MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions, or products referred to in the content. and integration of diverse technologies encompassing thermal, acoustic, and mechanical performance, as well as facilitating the integration of diverse technologies and ensuring user safety [17][18][19][20]. The current benchmark for curtain wall facades is represented using aluminum components, glazed panel and mineral wool as insulation which is a mature technology within the market.…”

Design and Testing of Climate-responsive Ventilated Building Façades

“…This increasing trend of high energy use for space conditioning is attributed to rapidly rising demands for better IEQ and lifestyles [5], [6]. IEQ is particularly relevant today as we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, further increased in the unprecedented conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic [7], [8].…”