This article discusses the application of thermoelectric (TE) materials in building facade systems, which can be used to create active exterior enclosures. TEs are semiconductors that have the ability to produce a temperature gradient when electricity is applied, exploiting the Peltier effect, or to generate a voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient, utilizing the Seebeck effect. TEs can be used for heating, cooling, or electricity generation. In this research, heating and cooling applications of these novel systems were explored. We designed and constructed two prototypes, where one prototype was used to study integration of TE modules (TEMs) as stand-alone elements in the facade, and one prototype was used to explore integration of TEMs and heat sinks in facade assemblies. Both prototypes were tested for heating and cooling potential, using a thermal chamber to represent four different exterior environmental conditions (-18°C, -1°C, 16°C and 32°C). The interior ambient conditions were kept constant at room temperature. The supplied voltage to facade-integrated TEMs varied from 1 to 8 V. We measured temperature outputs of TEMs for all investigated thermal conditions using thermal imaging, which are discussed in this article. The results indicate that while stand-alone facade-integrated TEMs are not stable, addition of heat sinks improves their performance drastically. Facade-integrated TEMs with heatsinks showed that they would operate well in heating and cooling modes under varying exterior environmental conditions.

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) intends to quantify buildings’ energy performance to help designers and architects better understand the environmental impacts of their decisions. Building Information Modeling (BIM) refers to a digital, model-based representation, where information about building design can be shared among different stakeholders and used during all stages of buildings’ lifecycle. The purpose of this research was to investigate integration of BEM and BIM, using one modeling and two analysis tools. Green Building Studio (GBS) and Sefaira are two performance analysis software programs, which can be used both in the form of BIM plug-in/built-in tools, as well as web applications to analyze and quantify energy performance of buildings. To capture their level of integration with BIM, an existing Campus Recreation Building on UMass Amherst campus was used as a case study to evaluate modeling processes, requirements, and workflows. Comparative analysis between modeled and actual energy consumption data was also performed to analyze accuracy of the different simulation programs. This paper discusses each tool capabilities and drawbacks in providing accurate energy analysis procedures and results.

Buildings have a considerable impact on the environment, and it is crucial to consider environmental and energy performance in building design. In this regard, decision-makers are required to establish an optimal solution, considering multi-objective problems that are usually competitive and nonlinear, such as energy consumption, financial costs, environmental performance, occupant comfort, etc. Sustainable building design requires considerations of a large number of design variables and multiple, often conflicting objectives, such as the initial construction cost, energy cost, energy consumption and occupant satisfaction. One approach to address these issues is the use of building performance simulations and optimization methods. This paper presents a novel method for improving building facade performance, taking into consideration occupant comfort, energy consumption and energy costs. The paper discusses development of a framework, which is based on multi-objective optimization and uses the genetic algorithm in combination with building performance simulations. The framework utilizes EnergyPlus simulation engine and Python programming to implement optimization algorithm analysis and decision support. The framework enhances the process of performance-based facade design, couples simulation and optimization packages, and provides flexible and fast supplement in facade design process by rapid generation of design alternatives. Introduction Buildings account for about 40% of the global energy consumption and contribute over 30% of the global carbon emissions [14]. Energy used in building sector for heating, cooling and lighting comprises up to 40% of the carbon emissions of developed countries [14]. A large proportion of this energy is used for meeting occupants’ thermal comfort in buildings, followed by lighting. The building facade forms a barrier between the exterior and interior environments, and has a crucial role in improving energy efficiency and building performance. Therefore, this research focuses on performance-based facade design, appropriate simulation and optimization tools and methods for design analysis and support. Building performance simulation (BPS) provides relevant design information by indicating potential (quantifiable) directions for design solutions. BPS tools and applications facilitate the process of design decisionmaking by providing quantifiable data about building performance. BPS tools are an integral part of the design process for energy efficient and high-performance buildings, since they help in investigating design options and assess the environmental and energy impacts of design decisions [1]. The important aspect is that simulation does not generate design solutions, instead, it supports designers by providing feedback on performance results of design scenarios. Optimization is a method for finding a best scenario with highest achievable performance under certain constraints and variables. There are different methods for optimization, requiring use of computational simulation to achieve optimal solution, or sometimes requiring analysis or experimental methods to optimize building performance without performing mathematical optimization. But in BPS context, the term optimization generally indicates an automated process that is entirely based on numerical simulation and mathematical optimization [13]. Integrating BPS and optimization methods can form a process for selecting optimal solutions from a set of available alternatives for a given design problem, according to a set of performance criteria. This paper first focuses on identifying the role of BPS and design optimization methods, and outlines potential challenges and obstacles in performance-based facade design. This part is primarily based on literature reviews. Then, a new framework for performance-based facade design is presented. This framework takes into account occupant comfort and energy cost optimality, and implements BPS and relevant optimization methods to achieve a proper process for performance-based facade design. The components and development of the framework are discussed in detail. The last part of the paper offers conclusions and presents steps for testing and validating this framework.

The most common approach for calculating thermal resistance (R-value) of building facades is based on the additive method, where material components of the facade in sectional view, their relative thickness and thermal conductivity are considered. However, in order to account for thermal bridging caused by framing, area-weighted approach should be used to determine more accurate R-value. This approach also considers plan view of building facade, and the properties of framing components. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of facades’ thermal resistance (additive vs. area-weighted R-values) on buildings’ energy performance. Research methods included data collection, modeling, simulations and comparative analysis of results. An existing Campus Recreation Building, located at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was used as a case study building. First, the original construction documentation was reviewed to create a 3D model in Revit. Facade material components and specifications were used to determine properties of the opaque facade system, consisting of a brick cavity wall with steel stud framing. R-values for this facade system were calculated using additive and area-weighted methods. Then, a building energy analysis simulation program Green Building Studio was used for analysis, where one energy model was created to analyze the impacts of two different R-values on the overall energy consumption of this building. Other inputs, such as building geometry, occupancy schedules, glazing materials, etc. were identical in both models. Energy modeling results were compared to actual energy consumption data, collected over a period of one year. Simulation results showed that energy consumption was 2.5% higher when area-weighted R-value was applied.

This article discusses design, prototype development and an experimental study of facade-integrated thermoelectric (TE) materials. TEs are smart materials that have the ability to produce a temperature gradient w hen electricity is applied, exploiting the Peltier effect, or to generate a voltage w hen exposed to a temperature gradient, utilizing the Seebeck effect. TEs can be used for heating, cooling, or pow er generation. In this research, heating and cooling potentials of these novel systems w ere explored. Initially, tw o low fidelity prototypes w ere designed and constructed, w here one prototype w as used to study integration of TE modules (TEM) as stand-alone elements in the facade, and one prototype w as used to explore integration of TEMs and heat sinks in facade assemblies. Both prototypes w ere tested, in ambient conditions and w ithin a thermal chamber. The thermal chamber w as used to represent four different exterior environmental conditions (0°F, 30°F, 60°F and 90°F), w hile the interior conditions w ere kept constant at room temperature. The supplied voltage to facade-integrated TEMs varied from 1 to 8 V. Temperature outputs of TEMs for all investigated thermal conditions w ere measured using thermal imaging, w hich are discussed in detail in this article. The results indicate that w hile stand-alone facade-integrated TEMs are not stable, addition of heat sinks improves their performance drastically. Facade-integrated TEMs w ith heatsinks show ed that they w ould operate w ell in heating and cooling modes under varying exterior environmental conditions.

This article discusses the design, prototype development and an experimental study of facade-integrated thermoelectric (TE) smart materials. TEs are semiconductors that have the ability to produce a temperature gradient when electricity is applied, exploiting the Peltier effect, or to generate a voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient, utilizing the Seebeck effect. TEs can be used for heating, cooling, or power generation. In this research, heating and cooling applications of these novel systems were explored. Initially, we designed and constructed two prototypes, where one prototype was used to study integration of TE modules (TEM) as stand-alone elements in the facade, and one prototype was used to explore integration of TEMs and heat sinks in facade assemblies. We tested both prototypes, where a thermal chamber was used to represent four different exterior environmental conditions (0°F, 30°F, 60°F and 90°F). The interior ambient conditions were kept constant at room temperature. The supplied voltage to facade-integrated TEMs varied from 1 to 8 V. We measured temperature outputs of TEMs for all investigated thermal conditions using thermal imaging, which are discussed in detail in this article. The results indicate that while stand-alone facade-integrated TEMs are not stable, addition of heat sinks improves their performance drastically. Facade-integrated TEMs with heatsinks showed that they would operate well in heating and cooling modes under varying exterior environmental

This article discusses methods for integrating parametric design methods with building performance analysis procedures, suitable for whole building design. In this research, an ideal framework was developed and tested using existing software applications, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), non-BIM, parametric design and building performance analysis applications. Current software programs that can integrate some form of building performance simulation with parametric modelling include Rhino 3D (non-BIM), Revit (BIM), and SketchUp (non-BIM). Revit and Rhino have visual programming plugins to aid in the creation of parametric forms. In this research, three different workflows were tested, which integrate building performance analysis applications. Specifically, Honeybee and Ladybug (for Rhino 3D), Insight 360 (for Revit) and Sefaira (for Revit) were evaluated. A case study building was used to test and evaluate the workflows, interoperability, modeling strategies and results. Three different performance aspects were analyzed: 1) energy analysis, 2) solar radiation, and 3) daylighting. Simulation results were recorded and analyzed. However, besides simulation results, this article provides an in-depth discussion of the modeling procedures, parametric capabilities, ease of integration and interoperability between different software applications. The results show a promising course for integrating parametric design with building performance simulations. Each evaluated workflow has certain benefits and drawbacks, which are discussed in the article.