Kinetic facades as environmental control systems: Using kinetic facades to increase energy efficiency and building performance in office buildings

The primary purpose of the facade of a building is to protect the inhabitants from the outside environment. Although facades have historically been static systems, they are still designed to respond to many different scenarios. Often, facades are called upon to perform functions that are contradictory to each other. They are at times responsible for allowing as much solar heat in as possible, while also responsible for keeping it out at other times. They are responsible for keeping the weather outside of the buildings, but also called upon to let the building breathe. They are asked to shelter the inhabitants and keep them secure, while also allowing them to view the outside and still feel connected to nature. The disparate needs of the facade necessitate a balance be struck in order for the system to serve many functions throughout the life of the building. By actuating the facades and making them dynamic, they can now better adapt to the conditions and provide for improved comfort of the occupants by providing for more of the tasks at a higher level of performance, reducing the compromises needed for that balance. Facades can now sense the environment and make their own modifications in order to achieve prescribed goals. The building can be constantly working towards a better environment for the user as opposed to simply protecting them from it. By studying the many existing kinetic facade systems and through the use of computer simulations and empirical testing, a sampling of the methods of kinetic movement can be analyzed for their environmental benefits, compared to each other, and recommendations proposed. A system can then be designed to handle the many environmental variables present in and around the building, such as solar thermal, daylighting, ventilation, and energy generation. This thesis proposes the development of a kinetic facade system based on research, simulations, and prototypes that will improve upon current practice and provide an increasingly efficient facade for traditional curtain-walled office buildings.