Sustainable Facades

Summary

Ajla Aksamija's Sustainable Facades examines how building-envelope design influences energy consumption, indoor comfort, and overall building performance. It combines scientific principles with practical guidance for architects and designers developing sustainable façade systems.
The book is organized around five main areas:
1. Climate-based approaches to façade design.
2. Characteristics and performance of sustainable façade systems.
3. Thermal, visual, acoustic, and indoor environmental comfort.
4. Emerging technologies, including smart materials, double-skin façades, and energy-generating façades.
5. Architectural case studies illustrating façade strategies in practice.

Its central message is that façade design must balance solar control, heat transfer, daylight, moisture, ventilation, and occupant comfort rather than optimize a single performance criterion.

Key takeaways

• Façade design should respond to the building's climate and orientation.
• The building envelope strongly influences energy consumption and indoor comfort.
• Solar heat gain must be controlled according to orientation, climate, glazing, and occupancy.
• Glazing ratios should balance daylight, views, heat gain, and thermal performance.
• External shading can reduce unwanted solar gains while preserving useful daylight.
• Thermal bridging can undermine the performance of otherwise well-insulated façades.
• Moisture control is essential for durable, healthy building envelopes.
• Material properties and assembly configurations affect overall façade performance.
• Double-skin façades require careful analysis of cavity behavior, ventilation, maintenance, and energy use.
• Smart materials can provide adaptive control of light and heat transmission.
• Daylighting strategies must consider glare and visual comfort as well as illumination.
• Acoustic performance should be coordinated with thermal and visual requirements.
• Building simulation can help compare façade alternatives before construction.
• Façade systems should be assessed as complete assemblies, including joints, connections, shading, and openings.
• Sustainable façade decisions should be evaluated through performance, durability, maintenance, and environmental impact.

Practical application

Climate analysis: Record solar paths, prevailing winds, temperature, humidity, rainfall, and site exposure before selecting a façade strategy.



Orientation studies: Test each building elevation independently because east, west, north, and south façades face different environmental conditions.



Glazing optimization: Compare window-to-wall ratios and glazing specifications to balance daylight, views, heat gain, and cooling demand.



External shading: Evaluate horizontal overhangs, vertical fins, louvers, and movable shading systems.



Envelope detailing: Coordinate insulation continuity, thermal breaks, air barriers, vapor control, drainage, and weatherproofing.



Façade simulation: Use suitable tools to compare daylight, solar exposure, energy demand, and thermal performance.



Technology selection: Evaluate double-skin façades and smart glazing only where their benefits justify additional cost and maintenance.



Bangladesh application: For buildings in Bogura and other Bangladeshi locations, prioritize solar shading, rain protection, humidity management, glare control, and appropriate glazing rather than assuming that fully glazed façades are inherently high-performance.



High-rise design: Coordinate façade modules, wind loads, movement joints, fire stopping, access, cleaning, and replacement strategies with the relevant specialists.



Post-occupancy review: Compare predicted performance with actual cooling energy, daylight quality, glare complaints, moisture issues, and maintenance requirements.

Good to know

Who it's for: Architecture students, practicing architects, façade consultants, building-performance specialists, structural engineers, MEP consultants, and sustainable-design researchers

ISBN: 9781118549643

Topics

Sustainable Facades Building Envelopes Façade Engineering Thermal Performance Solar Heat Gain Daylighting Glare Control Moisture Control Thermal Bridging Curtain Walls Double-Skin Facades Rainscreen Systems Smart Materials Energy-Efficient Buildings Acoustic Comfort Building Simulation Climate-Responsive Design