Climate adaptivity can be introduced into building envelopes without processors or external power by technologies that operate on an intrinsic mode, enabling the usage of their reactions to environmental stimuli in a positive way. Thirteen of these technologies, i.e. auto-responsive technologies (ARTs), were studied for climatic suitability on opaque facades under current and future weather conditions. An expeditious method, that can be used as a pre-design tool, is presented, which allows mapping out the potential use of ARTs in different climates allocating them to thermal adaptive strategies (TAS). Using the Climate consultant tool 6.0, building bioclimatic charts (BBCs) based on hourly weather data, were generated to determine the best passive design strategies (PDS) for nine locations. Correspondence between TAS and some PDS, based on the weather conditions in which they are effective, was proposed in order to assess the ARTs' climatic suitability, i.e., the time percentage in which the analysed strategy, employing specific ARTs, can contribute to occupants' comfort. Cold climates present short suitability times concerning all the studied TAS. Higher suitability times for TAS, exclusively for cooling, were found in Equatorial and Arid climates, which are expected to increase worldwide in the future. The solar reflectance adaptation strategy is expected to increase its suitability time and achieve a more balanced mode of usage (similar heating and cooling times). This will boost the technology which enables its implementation, i.e. thermochromics.
Santos, RA; Flores-Colen, I; Simoes, N; Slivestre, JD
Auto-responsive technologies on opaque facades: Worldwide climatic suitability under current and future weather conditions
Journal Of Building Engineering