Comparative Performance Evaluation of a Multistory Double Skin Façade Building in Humid Continental Climate

This paper focuses on investigation of a multi-story double skin façade system in the humid continental climate of Michigan. The double-skin façade is an architectural phenomenon driven by the aesthetic desire for an all-glass façade which aslo reduce building energy consumption. In this paper building envelope performance is investigated by modeling energy performance of different design scenarios of a commercial building with double skin façade and compare it with the actual energy consumption. The primary goal of this research is to clarify the state-of-the-art performance of DSFs in hot continental climate, so that designers can assess the value of these building concepts in meeting the design goals for thermal comfort, ventilation, energy efficiency and sustainability. This investigation adopts an analytical approach using dynamic simulation software (Energy Plus/Designbuilder), to understand the performance of single skin façade in comparison with a double skin façade. The results proved that the multi-story façade in humid continental climate had a major impact on enhancing performance and as a result, a reduction in energy usage.