Serrated Glass Facades: the Influence of Façade Morphology on Aesthetic Quality

Serrated building envelopes are a very eye-catching element of contemporary architecture. This type of façade in plan resembles the edges of a serrated blade, hence the name. Serrated facades substantially influence the building’s tectonics understood as the relationship between the structural and the artistic form. They also have a major impact both on building physics (increased surface of heat exchange compared to flat facades, solar avoidance – decreased solar gains if properly designed) and on visual appeal. This article examines façade morphology and analyzes the influence of its geometry on the aesthetic quality of the envelope. The morphological analysis includes the serration angle between the wings (acute or obtuse), wing proportions, and façade depth. An exceptional feature of serrated façades is that the optical phenomena on the façade change depending on the viewing angle. This paper discusses various perceptual zones that produce different phenomena, e.g.: (i) single wing visibility, (ii) mutual wing self-reflection, (iii) primary and secondary virtual The presented paper is based on case studies with special attention to morphological and qualitative analysis. Cases serve as visual (photographs) and graphical illustrations(diagrammatic drawings). The paper also includes a brief presentation of selected recently completed case studies

Classification of Oblique Grids in Curtain Walls: A Case-Study of Design Strategies in Modular Edge-Panels

Recent developments in façade engineering allow for much more freedom in designing façade grids, including various tessellations. This paper reviews different geometrical configurations in order to provide a framework for the understanding and classification of façades based on oblique grids. On the basis of case studies, this paper analyses oblique grids used in planar light-transmitting façades and evaluates existing geometries. The main difficulties linked to edge panels are: (i) the high number of unique panels and (ii) their irregular shape, which complicates the building process. This paper serves as a review of the currently used technologies and of the possible design solutions aimed at decreasing the number of unique panels. As a result, the applied strategies lower the costs and simplify the manufacturing process and installation of the façade’s panels. Technologies that directly link façade geometries created using CAD software with manufacturing processes offer the possibility to use non-rectangular solutions on a much wider scale

Service Life Performance

A special focus of this chapter is directed into assessing the performance of facades along the service life of the building. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors and their effect on materials physical and aesthetical properties are discussed. Principles of protection by design and their role in building performance during use phase are briefly introduced. Various approaches for the prediction of service life performance are supported with real case study data

Bio-based building skin

This book provides a compendium of material properties, demonstrates several successful examples of bio-based materials’ application in building facades, and offers ideas for new designs and novel solutions. It features a state-of-the-art review, addresses the latest trends in material selection, assembling systems, and innovative functions of facades in detail. Selected case studies on buildings from diverse locations are subsequently presented to demonstrate the successful implementation of various biomaterial solutions, which defines unique architectural styles and building functions. The structures, morphologies and aesthetic impressions related to bio-based building facades are discussed from the perspective of art and innovation; essential factors influencing the performance of materials with respect to functionality and safety are also presented. Special emphasis is placed on assessing the performance of a given facade throughout the service life of a building, and after its end. The book not only provides an excellent source of technical and scientific information, but also contributes to public awareness by demonstrating the benefits to be gained from the proper use of bio-based materials in facades. As such, it will appeal to a broad audience including architects, engineers, designers and building contractors. ; Presents case-studies and latest trends in material selection, assembling systems, and innovative functions of facades Discusses structure morphologies and aesthetic impressions related to bio-based building facades Highlights factors influencing performance of facades, with a special focus on service life of the buildin

Daylight transmittance through Expanded Metal shadings

Due to the substantial need for energy efficiency, the daylight performance of building envelopes is a key issue in sustainable architecture. A frequently used shading system consists on static expanded metal meshes (EM). As a very prominent textural facade element, expanded metal is widely used as both a cladding and static shading device. One first aim is to provide a sufficient description of EM, including fabrication, possible usage and overall properties. This includes a set of parameters needed to control accurately the complex geometry of EM. Those parameters are also useful to get reliable 3-D computer models of EM. The main objective of this paper is to assess, describe and compare EM light transmittance performance as a shading device. We were specifically looking to determine the influence of parameters such as geometry, colour, position and direction of incoming light on the shading performance. The research is based on BSDF simulations via Radiance and experimental data provided at a previous laboratory stage. We have simulated and compared the performance of various EM shading devices for a south exposed façade in Madrid in most characteristic times of the year: solstices and equinoxes, as well as midday transmittance throughout the year

Study of a BIPV Adaptive System

The paper presents the first results of research that was partly conducted within the framework of European COST Action TU1403 – Adaptive Façades Network, on the development of an adaptive BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) solution able to change its curvature in relation to the external environmental conditions, orientating itself in order to optimise the energy production without the aid of any mechanical and electrical systems. After analysing the characteristics of the main adaptive materials that are currently used for such applications, the contribution outlines the main features of the proposed system, which consists of thin film solar cells coupled with a thin layer of hygromorphic material, manufactured from two wooden slats joined together and produced from different types of wood and trunk cuts. The hygromorphic layer thus obtained can change its shape as a function of temperature and relative humidity of outdoor conditions, thanks to the different expansion coefficients of the two wooden slats. To evaluate the performance of the component, three shape configurations for the adaptive strips have been assumed. For each hypothesis, the lamellae have been modelled using the Rhinoceros 5 Software, according to the curvatures taken during the different months of the year. The Rhino models have been imported into Autodesk Ecotect Analysis to calculate the incident solar radiation and to study the self-shadowing effect in the various configurations (in relation to the climatic conditions of the city of Milan). The paper outlines the system and PV energy production optimisation process, as well as possible applications in the field of façade design

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

Non-Hermitian topological quantum states in a reservoir-engineered transmon chain

Dissipation in open systems enriches the possible symmetries of the Hamiltonians beyond the Hermitian framework, allowing the possibility of novel non-Hermitian topological phases which exhibit long-living end states that are protected against disorder. So far, non-Hermitian topology has been explored in settings where probing genuine quantum effects has been challenging. We theoretically show that a non-Hermitian topological quantum phase can be realized in a reservoir-engineered transmon chain. The spatial modulation of dissipation is obtained by coupling each transmon to a quantum circuit refrigerator, allowing in situ tuning of dissipation strength in a wide range. By solving the many-body Lindblad master equation using a combination of the density matrix renormalization group and Prosen-Seligman third quantization approaches, we show that the topological end modes and the associated phase transition are visible in simple reflection measurements with experimentally realistic parameters. Finally, we demonstrate that genuine quantum effects are observable in this system via robust and slowly decaying long-range quantum entanglement of the topological end modes, which can be generated passively starting from a locally excited transmon.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Zakłócenie przezroczystości w architekturze współczesnych szklanych fasad. Część 2

Over the last two decades, new trends have emerged in the design of translucent façades. Those trends result from the dynamic technological progress and achievements in material engineering. The trends that are associated with the use of envelopes that interfere with the transmission of light through the façade are particularly interesting. This is strongly related to the significant transformation that took place in the dialectic of the building, the transformation of the "façade" into an "envelope". The paper presents the author's original distinction between the two most characteristic main sub-trends, distinguished based on optical phenomena occurring within the façade. The proposed division includes two main groups of disturbances: homogenous and heterogeneous. The former is present where panes of glass are used to disperse/diffuse light evenly, while the latter in façades with strong – usually printed – ornamentation. The article systematizes the issues of transparency disturbance in contemporary architecture and presents the typology of light-transmitting façades, in which this phenomenon takes place. The author also presents a matrix of relations that systematizes the presented case studies. Only this type of matrix makes it possible to illustrate an issue in which more than one variable is present. An assignment of the case studies to the trends and the determination of trend models are also included in the paper. The first part of the paper (published in March 2021) presents the introduction, methodology and simplified typology, the second one presents case studies, discussion and conclusions.W ciągu ostatnich dwóch dekad pojawiły się nowe nurty w projektowaniu przezroczystych fasad. Są one wynikiem dynamicznego postępu technologicznego i osiągnięć w dziedzinie materiałoznawstwa. Szczególnie manifestują się te nurty, które związane są z zastosowaniem powłok zakłócających przenikanie światła przez fasadę. Wiąże się to silnie z istotną przemianą, która dokonuje się w dialektyce budynku, z przemianą fasady (ang. façade) w obudowę/powłokę (ang. envelope). W artykule przedstawiono dokonane przez autora rozróżnienie zjawisk optycznych, które zachodzą w obrębie fasady. Proponowany podział obejmuje dwie główne grupy: jednorodne i niejednorodne zniekształcenia przezroczystości. Te pierwsze występują tam, gdzie zastosowano tafle równomiernie rozpraszające światło, te drugie natomiast w fasadach o silnej – zazwyczaj nadrukowanej – ornamentacji. Artykuł systematyzuje zagadnienia zniekształcenia przezroczystości w architekturze współczesnej i przedstawia typologię tych fasad przepuszczających światło, w których występuje to zjawisko. W artykule przedstawiono też macierz relacyjną, która systematyzuje opisywane studia przypadków. Jedynie ten typ macierzy pozwala na pokazanie zagadnienia, w którym obecna jest więcej niż jedna zmienna. W tekście dokonano również przypisania studiów przypadków do nurtów, a także charakterystyki samych nurtów – stworzenia ich modeli. Pierwsza część (opublikowana w marcu 2021 r.) zawiera wstęp, opis metodologii oraz uproszczoną typologię, a w drugiej znajdują się studia przypadków, dyskusja oraz wnioski