The case for ventilated facades - latest developments to prevent solar overheating of highly glazed buildings

Abstract

Architects love to design highly glazed facades, providing continuity from the outside world into the building interior, and providing light, airy spaces in which the occupants can work and live. However, energy considerations - particularly in relation to use of air conditioning - have provided significant challenges for the design of such buildings. This paper discusses some basic questions of double façade design and presents some recently built double façade constructions. Levels of (thermal) performance that are achieved by each are outlined.