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

Shape morphing solar shadings: a review

This paper provides an overview of available innovative shape morphing building skins and their design principles. In particular, the proposed review deals with comfort-related issues associated with dynamic solar shading devices, building integration of smart materials, and morphological analyses related to the most recent shape morphing solar skins. In the first part of the paper, an introduction to the typologies of movement in architecture, its concept and application are presented. An explanation of biomimetic principles together with an overview of user's response to dynamic shading devices is also provided. This is followed by the description of the design principles for shape morphing solar shadings with particular focus on energy and comfort aspects, smart materials and biomimetic principles for efficient movements. A review of most recent developments on the topics of comfort, users' response and control of dynamic shading devices, is presented and summarized in a comparison table. The main technical and mechanical properties of the most diffused smart materials (Shape Memory Alloys, Shape Memory Polymers and Shape Memory Hybrids) that can be used for innovative shape morphing solar skins are illustrated in detail and compared. Biomimetic principles for efficient movements complete this part of the work. The principles illustrated in the previous part of this paper are then used to critically analyse the most recent examples of building integrated shape morphing shadings

Towards facades as Make-To-Order products – the role of Knowledge-Based-Engineering to support design

Building façades are Engineer-To-Order (ETO) products and, as such, they show unique features on a project-by-project basis. The partitioning of design tasks during the design and manufacturing process of these products, however, does not fully capture how specific design decisions influence other stakeholders’ choices. This lack of design integration is most severe at early stages when a large proportion of initial costs, mostly driven by manufacturability aspects, is determined. This paper illustrates a methodology to build Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) applications to support early-stage design integration through the development of a façade Product Model for automatic rule checking and knowledge reuse. The main outcome is a preliminary framework for developing knowledge-based, digital tools to support and integrate façade design as well as different scenarios in which the tool can potentially be used, based on two types of procurement methods. A prototype of the tool is also shown here. The paper proposes a new paradigm where façade systems are considered to be more closely related to Make-To-Order types, rather than ETOs, in which the product is ready for fabrication and designers can rapidly explore the subcontractor’s manufacturing capabilities and the implications of their design choices. Future work will include tool validation by applying the tool into a specific façade manufacturer’s workflow

Comfort and energy assessment of the first italian Nearly Zero Energy Building in a university campus

The aim of the work proposed in this paper is to test and evaluate the dry stratified construction technology for building envelope in warm climate (such as in Milan, Italy), showing the actual comfort and energy assessment of the first Italian Nearly Zero Energy Building in a University campus. Analyses are conducted on the VELUXlab building, recently opened within the Politecnico di Milano (Italy). VELUXlab is an experimental laboratory coming from a deep energetic and technological retrofit done on the VELUX Atika model home. During the construction phase an innovative wireless sensors network has been installed, including 14 surface temperature sensors on the building envelope. Here is proposed a comparative analysis between the actual data recorded and the theoretical data analysed through dynamic energy simulations. Further analyses are conducted in order to compare VELUXlab data with the data of average existing Italian buildings, and with the theoretical data referring to the minimum requirements suggested by Italian regulations for new buildings