Smart Facades for a Better Living

IQPC's International Summit Smart Façades on the 21st to the 23rd of May in Berlin

 In an exclusive interview with architect Abdulmajid Karanouh (Conference Chairman and Associate at Aedas Architects, UK), he explains through a number of examples the challenges and opportunities of adaptive façades. How can mathematical algorithms and biological mimicry be implemented to create façades that are both energy and cost efficient but also highly adaptable to extreme or changing climate conditions? Read the whole interview to gain expert information.

Here is an excerpt of the interview:

IQPC: If you look at the current state of the façade market, what would you say are the trends and developments? For example, refurbishment projects or new buildings - where do you think the journey is going?

A.K.: Well, this is quite an interesting question because there has been a lot of debate recently on this subject in terms of how the market will be moving forward in different regions the next few years. Obviously the first thing that we have to take into consideration is the financial difficulties that different markets are currently experiencing. You are going to see more refurbishment because people at the moment would rather invest their money more cautiously by trying to adjust existing buildings rather than building completely new ones.
The challenge here is, however, that many of those existing buildings have been designed to specific user-comfort and building performance requirement that are decades old. So whether it is the building’s geometry, floor-to-ceiling height, the supporting structural system and grid, MEP strategy and existing infrastructure and services, or the current façade module and alignment internal partitions and mullions – all have a major impact on the possible façade types and system design that can be adopted. Recently, building regulations have been going through major amendments requiring higher building performance generally and higher façade performance specifically with a major focus on energy performance.
So building refurbishment may go well beyond just renewing existing façade systems, appearance, and internal finishes; they may indeed require a more holistic re-thinking of the overall performance criteria and strategy. So the main challenge in implementing new façade types and system designs is doing so in an adaptable manner whilst minimizing changes to the existing infrastructure of the building and still be able to meet the required performance target.

Read the whole interview at : www.smart-facades-conference.com