Solar radiation analysis: computational performance analysis for the foldable axis of a responsive external skin on the south façade

Abstract

There has been an interest in responsive façade technology as a new paradigm shift where external skin can change and alter in response to its surrounding environment to maximize building performance and increase the user’s comfort zone. The application of responsive facades is an effective strategy toward further energy efficiency improvements in built environments. This can help control the interior environment within the building, and so minimize the energy consumption of building services systems. The study will detect geometric pattern alternatives for a kinetic facade that respond to the climatic performance aspects. It presents a methodology, which define a performance-based design, an approach to analyze the design and simulate responsiveness of kinetic facades during the early design phase. The simulation analyzes the direct solar radiation for an optimal layout for the proposed given shading system. The study demonstrates how the process of designing and developing responsive facades can be effectively tested and evaluated.