Analysis of Fiber-glass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) material on double skin façade (DSF) for reducing indoor air temperature of laboratory in tropical climate

Laboratories are spaces within the confines of sophisticated instruments and apparatus that operate tirelessly. The constant operation of high-performance machinery coupled with the ceaseless activity of researchers and students creates an environment that naturally increases temperature. This study focuses on indoor thermal analysis of a laboratory with different designs of Fiber-glass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) façade applications on double-skin façade (DSF) systems in tropical climate as an advanced prototype of the built environment strategy. Computer simulations were conducted to investigate indoor thermal performance from various façade designs using FRP for the façade panel of the DSF system. The method used is quantitative, which obtain data using computer software simulations. This study compares indoor air temperature and design parameter approaches. This investigation will accumulate results from the FRP performance to the laboratory’s indoor temperature. Analysis results show several design configurations produce the same reading, which indicates a comfortable indoor temperature providing the users’ quality of life that will reduce the building’s electric consumption. FRP façade design with a flat planar panel shape and a curve with a narrow air cavity width of 0.5 m is recommended as a practical FRP façade design for the optimization of laboratory indoor temperature in a tropical region.