Context Based Design of Double Skin Facades: Climatic Considerations during the Design Process

This research focuses on the investigation of context based design for double skin facades, particularly focusing on climatic considerations during the design process. Double skin envelopes are gaining popularity as a successful methodology for controlling thermal building performance and energy loads. However, their performance in different climates is an important design consideration. If properly designed, they create a buffer zone between the internal and external environment, thus reducing necessary cooling and heating loads. In this study, building location and climate are considered – double skin facade design strategies are investigated for hot and arid, and cold climates. Building envelope performance is investigated by modeling energy performance of different design scenarios.

keywords: double skin facade, energy modeling, climate-based design