On the Simplified Numerical Analyses of an Adaptive Double‐Glazed Façade Considering Steady‐State Conditions and Experimental Data

ABSTRACT The façade of a building accounts for large areas of its envelope, representing the interface between the uncontrolled outdoor climate and the conditioned interior. The façade is therefore largely responsible for the building's energy balance. Large glass façades, which provide transparency and lightness, are the epitome of modern architecture; however, they include undesirable building physical side effects as well. The present case study focuses on a newly developed double‐glazed façade in the climate zone of central Europe combining different adaptive functions and elements for decreasing a building´s energy demand and consumption: ventilation vents, ventilators, two electrochromic layers regulating different ranges of light transmission (visible and infrared), and a passive low‐e coating. Experimental investigations on the light transmission of the glazing are compared to analytical calculations according to regulations of VDI 6007 Sheet 2. Based on measurement data collected on a corresponding sample façade, a simplified steady‐state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the façade is presented and validated. The results exhibit a good adaptation of the novel façade to changing environmental conditions, and the developed steady‐state CFD model reproduces relevant parameters of climatic conditions with sufficient accuracy, providing a good origin for further subsequent studies.