Model of Building Envelope Towards Energy Efficiency and

Adaptability as the Architectural Approach

Tsvetelina Daskalova Ivanova

Faculty of Architecture, 1UACEG, Sofia 1000, 1 str Hr.Smirnensk, Bulgaria

Keywords: Building Envelope, Architectural Façade, Building Skin, Model of Building Envelope.

Abstract: In this article we will look beyond the definition of "building envelope" as taken from the dictionary, we will

try to consider this concept not only as a set of elements – bricks, glasses, compounds, materials, sized and

executed after hundreds of calculations, not only as "Clothing" but as a critical review of the shaping factor.

A model of building envelope can be used to analyse the basic parameters as energy efficiency and

adaptability. How to design sustainable building envelopes and enhance the overall building energy

performance through aesthetics and structural principles is a major aspect of the contemporary architectural

design process. The building envelope could not be analysed only as a unique component but an integral

element of while system with considerable importance regarding the building’s appearance. It should provide

additional functions such as loadbearing capacity, active or passive microclimate control and individual

aesthetic expression.

1 INTRODUCTION

Observation needed for architectural form that

expressed by building envelopes. If we put ourselves

in the role of the tourist visiting a city for the first

time, we will look at various historical landmarks and

modern buildings, analysing them from the point of

view of immediate perception, of observation.

Architectural forms will alternate in front of us, and

we can perceive them only as a result of their building

envelopes, glancing at their surfaces. If we enter the

building, if we participate in the activities inside, we

will be able to realize how much the created spaces

are convenient to use, and if we have basic structural

knowledge, we will even be able to guess their

materials. All these observations and reflections can

lead us to different conclusions – the building is

beautiful (ugly), the building is functional (it is

uncomfortable), the building looks stable (I better get

out of here quickly). Some of the conclusions are

common and a consequence of indisputable evidence,

while others are quite subjective and the result of a

different aesthetic views (Ivanova, 2021).

If we analyse the architectural shape from the

point of view of its building envelope, only the visible

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4660-8375

part of the building can be observed. Characteristics

such as size, volume, geometry, proportions,

openings, colours, reflections. The main categories

are qualitative. If we look at a wall, for example, we

cannot determine its capacity of load-bearing

strength, nor is it really part of the main structure. We

cannot define the properties of the real material, its

general behaviour under loading. We also need to

know, at least in general terms, how the loads are

transferred to the foundations. Our building

knowledge and the laws of mechanics can help us

understand this. Therefore, we can assume whether

this wall can be load-bearing or not, based on this type

of analysis.

On the other hand, the same wall serves to close

or partition the architectural space and thus it has a

practical purpose, different from the role of a

structural element. This function also affects some of

the wall properties such as thickness, shape, and

openings. Even if architectural elements have a load-

bearing function, their shape must also be interpreted

with a view to their spatial use as elements having

both a structural and a spatial function. The final

shape of the elements can also be influenced by the

specifics of the technological implementation

(Ivanova, 2021).

382

Ivanova, T.

Model of Building Envelope Towards Energy Efﬁciency and Adaptability as the Architectural Approach.

DOI: 10.5220/0012116900003680

In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Advanced Engineering and Technology (ICATECH 2023), pages 382-386

ISBN: 978-989-758-663-7; ISSN: 2975-948X

 2023 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. Under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Figure 1: Union Trust Building, arch Louis Sullivan, 1893.

2 FORM FOLLOWS ENERGY

The relation between energy and the shape of the

building envelope implies decades and sometimes

centuries of connected energy and material flows

(Cody, 2017). It is based on an interdisciplinary

review, explaining complex relationships and energy

performing strategies, and it is advisory to be used as

a powerful tool to maximize the energy results of our

built environment, without forgetting the need for

new aesthetic qualities and entirely new forms in

architecture and urban design.

Regardless of the climatic zone in which it is

located, the building envelope always needs to

perform an insulating function to the environment

(Deplazes, 2018). Thermal insulation, waterproofing,

wind protection and sunshine protection. Instead of

working towards more and more effective insulation

against the natural conditions, why not try to use the

environment to our advantage, using the energy

parameters to improve the architectural qualities of

the environment through its shape. For a skyscraper,

for example, it is especially important to adjust the

shape in order to reduce the large wind loads. How

the architectural shape will affect the surrounding

buildings and the people on the street is studied by

using detailed three-dimensional models and

computer simulations in wind tunnels even before its

construction. This is how we will be able to model

and optimise the final effect.

3 DUALISTIC ANALYSIS

A major trend in building envelopes is their

increasing complexity. As the possibilities are

constantly increasing and expanding, and the

implementation of new technical solutions is

becoming indicator of the most modern "smart"

facades. Their main goal is to increase the comfort

level of the users. But the question arises – are they

practical? Thus, some new technologies are revised

or even are abandoned. Today, based on our new

knowledge about the problems of double facades, we

can better assess their convenience.

Figure 2: Lotus Temple, Baháʼí House of Worship.

Figure 3: Frei Otto’s Munich Olympic Stadium.

Dualistic analysis implies the consideration of the

building envelope in depth, dividing it into its

possible components. On the basis of such analysis,

the characteristics can be better evaluated, and it

would be possible to make an informed decision

about what type of building envelope to apply:

▪ Matter with self-retaining form under the

action of external forces (self-defining). It

performs both a carrying and enclosing

functions;

▪ Matter that cannot retain its form under the

action of external forces and needs other

matter to "carry" it. Primary structural

elements perform only the load-bearing

functions, and other "non-structural"

Model of Building Envelope Towards Energy Efﬁciency and Adaptability as the Architectural Approach

383

secondary elements - the enclosing

functions.

Examples of the two types – self-retaining and

non-self-retaining envelopes.

3.1 Basic Principles for Creating a

Model of Building Envelope

The objectives are based on four main ideas:

▪ Breaking with the idea of a building envelope as a

technical-utilitarian artifact.

▪ Determining the leading role of structural

characteristics, materials and construction

methods as a basic formative principle, rather than

creating a monumental expression of a

constructive paradigm.

▪ Creating of architectonic mega-sculptures, not

just enclosing facilities.

▪ Transformation of building envelope from a

utilitarian element of the cityscape into an urban

symbol.

A purposeful and adequate choice of a type of

structural system can be made by hierarchical

arrangement of the leading characteristics. The

following steps can be defined as specific phases: (1)

First Step; (2) Second Step; and (3) Third Step.

3.1.1 First Step

On the basis of an analysis of the characteristics and

requirements of the building in terms of:

▪ Indicative area

▪ Function

▪ Location

▪ Local construction practice

▪ Architectural concept

3.1.2 Second Step

Decisions must be made regarding the placement of

the structural elements that will define the space and

the appropriate material for the main purpose.

▪ Span distance

▪ Proportions

▪ Overall height of the building

3.1.3 Third Step

The implementation of specific elements and the

calculation of their size and shape - eg. steel sections

- round, 2T hollow, etc. there are:

▪ Sizing based loads

▪ Types of elements

▪ Types of connections

▪ Visibility/hidden elements

4 GEOMETRICAL

REDISPOSITION

4.1 Building Envelope, Placed in Front

of the Main Structural Plane

Figure 4: Examples of envelopes, placed in front of the

plane – large scale of the main structure span.

Figure 5: Examples of envelopes, placed in front of the

plane – small scale of the main structure span.

Figure 6: Examples of envelopes, placed in front of the

plane – small and large scale – façade views.

Regardless of what kind of materials are

implemented, there are various generally applicable

features and design principles that are valid for

building envelopes, and these are described below. A

design principle indicates a fundamental solution for

a defined construction task in accordance with

predetermined functions. Here, rather geometrical

“effects” are used, and their interactions linked

together in a suitable structure (Knaack et al., 2014).

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In both cases of big and small scale of the pattern,

the main load-bearing elements of the envelope will

be exposed on the façade and the mains structural

elements of the buildings will remain hidden. Thus,

the distances between the vertical elements will be the

only pattern-defining factor.

4.2 Building Envelope, Placed Behind

the Main Structural Plane

Figure 7: Examples of envelopes, placed behind the

structural plane – large scale of the structural pattern.

Figure 8: Examples of envelopes, placed behind the

structural plane - small scale of the structural pattern.

Figure 9: Examples of envelopes, placed behind the

structural plane - clear visibility of the structural pattern.

When the envelope is behind, the mains structural

elements will be exposed on the façade and they will

define the scale and the pattern of the building.

4.3 Building Envelope, Placed in the

Main Structural Plane

When the plane of the envelope coincides with the

structural plane, the mains structural elements will be

exposed on the façade and in the interior equally, but

they will create a prerequisite for thermal bridges.

Figure 10: Examples of envelopes, placed in the structural

plane – large scale.

Figure 11: Examples of envelopes, placed in the structural

plane – small scale.

5 CONCLUSIONS

All these examples lead us to the conclusion that the

primary choice of pattern and the type and place of

the building envelope scale and materials is essential

in terms of architectural design impact. Facade

envelope planning is a particularly important part of

the design process. It is a step-by-step process.

The principles of construction and the

interrelationship between the building structure and

the facade envelope system are fundamental factors.

Analysing how facades can adapt to changing

parameters is also an important aspect; the selection

of atypical and special facade solutions based on local

climatic features is a good perspective for possible

development of facade technologies. The main

objective will be to design, develop and create

evaluation methods and parametric simulation

models to characterize the performance of innovative

building envelopes that are able to capture the multi-

parametric characteristics of adaptive facades in

specific climate zones.

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REFERENCES

Cody, B. (2017). Form Follows Energy (1st ed.).

Birkhauser Architecture.

Ivanova, T. D. (2021). The Messages of the Structure.

Propeller Publishing Ltd.

Deplazes, A. (2018). Constructing Architecture: Materials,

Processes, Structures. A Handbook (4th ed.).

Birkhäuser.

Knaack, U., Klein, T., Bilow, M., & Auer, T. (2014).

Façades: Principles of Construction (1st ed.).

Birkhäuser.

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