Kinetic Solar Skin: A Responsive Folding Technique

The paper focuses on optimized movements analysed by means of Origami, the Japanese traditional art of paper folding. The study is a way to achieve different deployable shading systems categorized by a series of parameters that describe the strengths and weaknesses of each tessellation. Through the kinetic behaviour of Origami geometries the research compares simple folding diagrams with the purpose to understand the deployment at global scale and thus the potential of kinetic patterns’ morphology for application in adaptive facades. The possibilities of using a responsive folding technique to develop a kinetic surface that can change its configuration are here examined through the variation of parameters that influence kinematics’ form. Moreover, in order to perform the shape change without any external mechanical devices, the use of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators has been tested

Portugal SB13: contribution of sustainable building to meet EU 20-20-20 targets

Proceedings of the International Conference Portugal SB13: contribution of sustainable building to meet EU 20-20-20 targetsThe international conference Portugal SB13 is organized by the University of Minho, the Technical University of Lisbon and the Portuguese Chapter of the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment in Guimarães, Portugal, from the 30th of October till the 1st of November 2013. This conference is included in the Sustainable Building Conference Series 2013-2014 (SB13-14) that are being organized all over the world. The event is supported by high prestige partners, such as the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE). Portugal SB13 is focused on the theme â Sustainable Building Contribution to Achieve the European Union 20-20-20 Targetsâ . These targets, known as the â EU 20-20-20â targets, set three key objectives for 2020: - A 20% reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels; - Raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 20%; - A 20% improvement in the EU's energy efficiency. Building sector uses about 40% of global energy, 25% of global water, 40% of global resources and emit approximately 1/3 of the global greenhouse gas emissions (the largest contributor). Residential and commercial buildings consume approximately 60% of the worldâ s electricity. Existing buildings represent significant energy saving opportunities because their performance level is frequently far below the current efficiency potentials. Energy consumption in buildings can be reduced by 30 to 80% using proven and commercially available technologies. Investment in building energy efficiency is accompanied by significant direct and indirect savings, which help offset incremental costs, providing a short return on investment period. Therefore, buildings offer the greatest potential for achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, at least cost, in developed and developing countries. On the other hand, there are many more issues related to the sustainability of the built environment than energy. The building sector is responsible for creating, modifying and improving the living environment of the humanity. Construction and buildings have considerable environmental impacts, consuming a significant proportion of limited resources of the planet including raw material, water, land and, of course, energy. The building sector is estimated to be worth 10% of global GDP (5.5 trillion EUR) and employs 111 million people. In developing countries, new sustainable construction opens enormous opportunities because of the population growth and the increasing prosperity, which stimulate the urbanization and the construction activities representing up to 40% of GDP. Therefore, building sustainably will result in healthier and more productive environments. The sustainability of the built environment, the construction industry and the related activities are a pressing issue facing all stakeholders in order to promote the Sustainable Development. The Portugal SB13 conference topics cover a wide range of up-to-date issues and the contributions received from the delegates reflect critical research and the best available practices in the Sustainable Building field. The issues presented include: - Nearly Zero Energy Buildings - Policies for Sustainable Construction - High Performance Sustainable Building Solutions - Design and Technologies for Energy Efficiency - Innovative Construction Systems - Building Sustainability Assessment Tools - Renovation and Retrofitting - Eco-Efficient Materials and Technologies - Urban Regeneration - Design for Life Cycle and Reuse - LCA of sustainable materials and technologies All the articles selected for presentation at the conference and published in these Proceedings, went through a refereed review process and were evaluated by, at least, two reviewers. The Organizers want to thank all the authors who have contributed with papers for publication in the proceedings and to all reviewers, whose efforts and hard work secured the high quality of all contributions to this conference. A special gratitude is also addressed to Eng. José Amarílio Barbosa and to Eng. Catarina Araújo that coordinated the Secretariat of the Conference. Finally, Portugal SB13 wants to address a special thank to CIB, UNEP, FIDIC and iiSBE for their support and wish great success for all the other SB13 events that are taking place all over the world

Case Studies:

Adaptive building envelopes can provide improvements in building energy efficiency and economics, through their capability to change their behaviour in real time according to indooroutdoor parameters. This may be by means of materials, components or systems. As such, adaptive façades can make a significant and viable contribution to meeting the EU´s 2020 targets. Several different adaptive façade concepts have already been developed, and an increase in emerging, innovative solutions is expected in the near future. In this context the EU initiative COST Action TU 1403 aims to harmonize, share and disseminate technological knowledge on adaptive facades at a European level. According to the definition given by this COST Action, an adaptive façade is a building envelope consisting of multifunctional and highly adaptive systems that is able to change its functions, features, or behaviour over time in response to transient performance requirements and boundary conditions, with the aim of improving the overall building performance. In order to explore the available and emerging technologies focusing on adaptive façades, Working Group 1 of the COST Action undertook research to form a database of adaptive façade case studies and projects structured in accordance with a simple classification – materials, components and systems. In addition to this, details of the purpose of the systems/components/materials with adaptive features and the working principle of each technology were also collected together with data regarding design practice, technology readiness, and economical aspects, among others. The information was collected with the help of a specific online survey (structured in the following main sections: detailed description - metrics- characterization- economic aspects – references). The database includes 165 cases of adaptive façade systems, components, and materials that allowed a variety of analyses to be carried out. According to the classification adopted within WG1 (materials, components, systems), each of the classification terms are introduced together with examples from the case study database in the following sections. This volume ends with a section dedicated to future developments, where different issues are addressed such as embedded functionality and efficiency amd biomimetic inspirations. The importance of adaptive façades through their flexibility, and intelligent design within the context of smart cities is also discussed. The work within Working Group 1 - Adaptive technologies and products was developed within four distinct sub-groups (SG) in order to provide outputs according to the objectives of this WG and the COST Action: SG1 – Database, SG2 – Educational Pack, SG3 – Publications and Reports and SG4 – Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM). This work was possible due to the strong commitment and work of all WG1 members: Laura Aelenei, Aleksandra Krstić-Furundžić, Daniel Aelenei, Marcin Brzezicki, Tillmann Klein, Jose Miguel Rico-Martínez, Theoni Karlessi, Christophe Menezo, Susanne Gosztonyi, Nikolaus Nestle, Jerry Eriksson, Mark Alston, Rosa Romano, Maria da Glória Gomes, Enrico Sergio Mazzucchelli, Sandra Persiani, Claudio Aresta, Nitisha Vedula, Miren Juaristi