New paper is out! Dynamic façades – An exploratory campaign to assess occupant multi-domain environmental satisfaction and façade interaction

A new paper is out in Building and Environment Journal, Volume 211, 1 March 2022.

Title: Dynamic façades – An exploratory campaign to assess occupant multi-domain environmental satisfaction and façade interaction

Authors: Alessandra Luna-Navarro, Gary R. Hunt, Mauro Overend

Abstract: Building occupants interact frequently with façades. These interactions simultaneously affect several domains of the indoor environment (visual, thermal, air quality and acoustic) and occupant perception, as well as the energy performance of the façades. Yet this multi-domain relationship between façade and occupant is not well understood. This gap in knowledge is particularly problematic for dynamic façades, where automated controls endeavour to improve the energy efficiency and reduce occupant dissatisfaction. In particular, it is often unclear whether an integrated multi-domain approach is strictly required when evaluating occupant satisfaction with automated or manual dynamic façades. This research provides a “proof-of-principle” that such an approach is required. This conclusion was drawn after performing. small exploratory campaign conducted in a test chamber designed specifically for occupant-façade interaction in which several human volunteers were exposed to alternative façade typologies (a single-skin façade and a closed cavity façade) and different control strategies (manual control and automated control).

Read more of the abstract and full article here.