Process (computing)

Engineering

Efficient energy use

Public relations

White paper

Systems engineering

Archaeology

Operating system

Telecommunications

Envelope (radar)

Civil engineering

Computer science

Risk analysis (engineering)

Business

Current (fluid)

Facade

Process management

Built environment

Geography

Political science

Thermal

Building envelope

Architectural engineering

Meteorology

Radar

Stakeholder

Electrical engineering

Energy and Buildings

During the last decades, a great number of innovative building envelope materials and façade components have been developed. The majority of these technologies promise significant improvements in energy efficiency and occupant's comfort, with products that are easily available in the market. However, it remains a challenge to assess the performance of such facades, leading to difficulties for efficient design, operation, and maintenance. As a consequence, the market adoption of adaptive facades is not realizing its full potential, resulting in missed opportunities for energy savings and improved occupant satisfaction. In this study, the current trends of adaptive facades are investigated, with particular emphasis on their performance assessment. Based on extensive literature review, the gaps in assessment of adaptive facades are determined and a novel object-based façade characterization and classification framework is proposed. Furthermore, a generic stakeholder map and process map are presented to explain current adaptive façade delivery practices. In addition, the findings of interviews and two focus group discussions with experts and specialists are presented to elucidate their expert opinions, leading to a validated framework of key performance indicators. As results of this paper, the gaps related to adaptive façade systems’ assessment are identified with respect to the different actors and stakeholders, and insights and perspectives on current trends and future challenges of adaptive façade system assessment are provided.

Current trends and future challenges in the performance assessment of adaptive façade systems