The COPE (cost-effective open plan environments) project investigates the effect of open-plan office design on the indoor environment and on the occupant satisfaction with that environment. COPE is sponsored by a consortium of North American public and privatesector organizations and relies on field, laboratory and simulation studies to address design aspects like acoustics, lighting quality, i...

This paper describes CFD modelling of Double Skin Façades (DSF) with venetian blinds inside the façade cavity. The 2-D modelling work investigates the coupled convective, conductive and radiative heat transfer through the DSF system. The angles of the venetian blind can be adjusted and a series of angles (0, 30, 45, 60 and 80 degrees) has been modelled. The modelling results are compared with t...

This paper reports on the daylighting performance of switchable ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) foil in double-skin façades (DSF). In contrast to conventional glazing or static ETFE façades, moderates incident daylight and controls internal light distribution by actively responding weather conditions solar intensity. To better understand control function impact parameters such as climate, l...

Ventilated façades have become an increasingly employed feature in the design of low energy buildings over recent years in that they offer the attractive features of a conventional glass façade but without the thermal disadvantages. These façades consist of a double skin surface, the outer layer of which is of toughened glass, and the inner layer of which usually comprises conventional double-g...

The long-term pressure on a properly functioning modern infrastructure is the main reason for the development of new construction elements and technological processes. In the case of buildings, this development can offer original and significant improvements in aesthetic, functional and economical terms. Then the implemented structural elements and technological systems have a major impact on t...

Polymeric glazing and mouldings are an extremely high “want” from the transportation community, enabling more creative designs as well as improved part consolidation。 However, plastic windows and mouldings must have high-performance and low-cost protective coating systems with lifetimes in excess of 10 years. Current polymeric glazings do not meet durability/performance requirements for near-te...