Thermal Performance of Green Façades: Research Trends Analysis Using a Science Mapping Approach

Abstract

Buildings consume a significant part of the world’s resources and energy. The growing environmental awareness and urgent need to reduce energy consumption have highlighted the importance of introducing innovative solutions as nature-based systems in new buildings’ construction and retrofitting. In this regard, green façades that integrate vegetation into building envelopes are attractive. This paper presents a bibliographic analysis, based on science mapping, of the available literature on green façades from 1999–2022 with a focus on the thermal effect on the building and on the surroundings. The objective of this study is to reveal the structure and the evolution of the research activity in the field, outlining the main research topics and the future research directions. The analysis was performed on a dataset of 270 documents. The results indicate a growing interest in this topic over the last six years and the multidisciplinary dimension of the studies. The keyword cluster analysis indicates the emergence of three main search topics: thermal behavior and energy modeling; urban design and large-scale effects; sustainable buildings management. A greater future dissemination of green façades could be enabled by further research results based on the application of a multidisciplinary approach and of standardized methods.

When Trees Are Not an Option: Perennial Vines as a Complementary Strategy for Mitigating the Summer Warming of an Urban Microclimate

“…In the United Kingdom, research on Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) determined that this vine species delivers dynamic solar-shading benefits, adapting to seasonal shifts in climate and thus influencing external building temperatures (and adjacent microclimates) in summer and winter [42,65]. Virginia Creeper, sharing the deciduous growth cycle of the Boston Ivy analyzed in our research, is advantageous in the fluctuating temperatures typical of mid-latitude North American cities, ranging from sweltering sum-mers to frigid winters.…”

“…Our examination of the literature and recent review articles summarizing green façade research has identified the need for standardized approaches to experimental design and measurement [65]. In combination with multidisciplinary teams, the ability to replicate green façade designs while varying underlying building materials and exposure to changing climatic conditions are necessary steps to shift toward a more widespread adoption of green façades as a component of UGI responses to climate warming.…”

Tropically Adapted Passive Building: A Descriptive-Analytical Approach Using Multiple Linear Regression and Probability Models to Predict Indoor Temperature

“…Aside from the economic factor, one must consider the social, cultural, and environmental implications of contemporary architectural design [74], preferably employing as many locally sourced materials as possible to provide a comprehensive and sustainable approach towards the passive building. Vertical greenery systems or green façades on building envelopes could be considered to provide natural shade, cooling, insulation, and wind barrier benefits [75] in conjunction with a rooftop photovoltaic system to fully utilize the available local renewable energy to increase building energy efficiency [76].…”