The role of kinetic facades in achieving thermal comfort for buildings/administrative buildings as a case study

Abstract

Global climate change has contributed to increase number of studies investigating methods to mitigate the effects of climate change on cities in general and buildings in particular. Cities today suffer from numerous problems associated with this phenomenon, such as rising temperatures and desertification, especially in hot, arid regions, this is largely due to modern approaches in building design in general, and administrative buildings in particular, such as the construction of  multi-story buildings and the use of glass facades, which exposes the inner spaces of the building to a significant thermal load.

The problem addressed by this research is that most buildings suffer from thermal loads in their interior spaces and require rehabilitation to cope with climate change and rising temperatures. Therefore, the research hypothesis is that building facades are fundamental elements that shape a building's identity and play a crucial role in solar exposure and thermal loads. This research aims to adopt kinetic facades as a design and rehabilitation strategy for building facades most exposed to solar exposure, thereby reducing thermal loads, using administrative buildings as an example.

Research Methodology: Kinetic facade techniques are among the most prominent modern methods for reducing the intensity of solar radiation on the building, and thus reducing thermal loads and energy consumption, especially in Iraq's hot climate. A multi-story administrative building (Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities) with glass facades was adopted as a case study for application. Computer software will be used to analyze the building and design kinetic facades in a way that achieves an urban landscape within the context, leading to conclusions where the results showed the necessity of adopting these techniques in treating buildings with poor environmental performance.