Optimum energy consumption by using kinetic shading system for residential buildings in hot arid areas

Abstract

In the last decades, development of innovative solutions is considered as a prominent issue for achieving sustainability within the built environment. Facades are crucial to energy consumption and comfort within buildings. Incorporating intelligence in their design is an effective way to minimize energy consumption buildings. The ability of specific facade systems to work reliably and effectively is one of the challenges toward sustainable buildings environment. One of the most important methods of saving energy in a building is by carefully designing its facade. A 'kinetic facade' can be considered as an optimally one of the best options in managing the interaction between the outdoors and the internal spaces. It also provides some architectural flexibility to the design. Kinetic Faç ade building is one of the available energy conservation opportunities through recent intelligent buildings. This paper reports the results of using a new intelligent kinetic shading system to investigate how it can improve the internal conditions and decrease the energy consumption within residential building in hot arid areas. Finally, the results of the case study show that monthly adaptation of kinetic shading facade system can lead to improved and decreased the internal temperature of the building about 4-5 degree Celsius and 18-20% energy savings compared to the normal building without shading system.

Dynamic shading systems: A review of design parameters, platforms and evaluation strategies

“…The theoretical approaches usually employ a simulation software based on mathematical models to propose optimal configurations based on the daily, seasonal or yearly performance against a specific metric [40,[89][90][91], or a control strategy (algorithm) developed by the software [53,[92][93][94]. The experimental technique depends on the application of a mechanism to test the system behaviour [63,95,96]. The tools and workflow of activities of different methodologies will be discussed in the following sections.…”

“…This approach presents methods that implement an operating mechanism to test the system behaviour. These methods use a controlling algorithm based on logic units or digital control (software program) [25], which can be applied to actual-scale models [95], or small-scale prototypes that frequently use parametric software tools, such as Grasshopper plug-in and Arduino hardware with low-cost micro-controllers [84], Fig. 21.…”

“…22. These methodologies generally rely on empirical observations to assess the capability of the system to respond in real time and accordingly evaluate its impact on the built environment [95]. Therefore, several aspects, such as kinetic response, environmental performance, automation tools and control systems, can be highlighted.…”

Comparative Analysis of Technologies Used in Responsive Building Facades

“…The facade mechanisms were advanced due to the availability of electrical components and controls in the 1960s (Ahmed, Abdel-Rahman, Bady, Mahrous, & Suzuki, 2016). The Kaufmann's hand-operated facade was the basis for the development of motorized mechanism blinds that were used in the Los Angeles County Hall of Records and the Santa Ana Courthouse (Neutra, 1998).…”

“…Jean Nouvel's Institute du Monde Arabe, as shown in Figure 3, was completed in 1989 in Paris and uses an iris mechanism to activate 30,000 photosensitive diaphragms to control light levels (Ahmed et al, 2016). In this system, photovoltaic sensors have been integrated with linear hydraulic actuators to control the centralized structure, which permits only 10 to 30% of daylight to penetrate inside the building and also prevents solar glare (Decker & Zarzycki, 2013).…”