Search Results (146)

Recognizable and distinctive streets are essential not only for navigation but also for fostering place identity and therefore socio-environmental sustainability in cities. The recognition depends on both high-level visual features (e.g., buildings, trees, etc.) and low-level ones (e.g., colors, spatial frequencies, etc.). While the former has been examined extensively, the latter remains less understood. This study addresses this gap via a multi-disciplinary perspective, by exploring how low-level visual features influence attention and cognitive processing during street recognition using an eye-tracking device. In the experiment, participants were expected to recognize Huaihai Road in China from other historic, tree-shaded, commercial streets with similar appearance (e.g., the Champs-Élysées in France, Omotesando in Japan, and Shaanxi South Road and Fuxing Middle Road in China). Results showed that removing mid-to-high spatial frequencies significantly improved recognition accuracy, while the absence of color led to a notable decline in accuracy. Markedly, the presence or absence of trees did not significantly affect recognition accuracy, suggesting that trees may be not vital for street recognition. These findings underscore the importance of global visual cues and color in the recognition process and provide practical computational design insights for urban distinctiveness and cultural sustainability. Full article

Building energy consumption accounts for a significant portion of total society energy use, and photovoltaic technology is being rapidly deployed across the construction sector. In order to improve the efficiency with which photovoltaic shading devices capture solar energy, a numerical calculation model for the ideal tilt angle of these devices is constructed in this study. This model is based on clear-sky solar radiation calculation algorithms and solar radiation resources across different latitudes. In order to maximize solar radiation collection, an ideal control strategy for photovoltaic shading devices on buildings with varied orientations at different latitudes and in different months is derived through numerical simulations. The findings demonstrate that the building’s orientation has a significant role in determining how well photovoltaic shading systems use solar energy. In winter, the ideal tilt angle for south-facing facades increases by 10° for every 10° increase in latitude. And for every 25° rise in latitude, the ideal tilt angle increases by only around 10° in summer. By applying optimal regulatory strategies, solar radiation consumption efficiency of roughly 65% can be attained, providing a reference basis for boosting power generating efficiency and building energy saving. Full article

This study presents the design and implementation of a prototype dual-function photovoltaic window system that integrates flexible solar panels for dynamic shading and a compact lithium battery for local energy storage. The methodology involves developing an experimental setup where translucent, flexible photovoltaic panels are retrofitted onto a standard residential window. The system is connected to a charge controller and a small-capacity lithium-ion battery pack. Key performance metrics, including solar irradiance, power generation efficiency, reduction in thermal transmittance, and battery state of charge, are continuously monitored under varying real-world environmental conditions. The integrated panels can significantly reduce solar heat gain, thereby lowering indoor ambient temperature and reducing the building’s cooling load. Simultaneously, the system will generate sufficient electricity to be stored in the lithium battery, providing a self-contained power source for low-draw applications such as lighting or charging personal devices. This research highlights the viability of developing cost-effective, multi-functional building components that transform passive architectural elements into active energy-saving and power-generating systems in terms of green environment goals. Full article

This study investigates the cooling potential of night ventilation and the climate adaptability of local vernacular buildings in the Turpan basin, aiming to identify passive energy-saving design strategies. A rural building with an air-drying shelter was selected for summer indoor environment measurements (two stages: all-day window closure vs. night ventilation), and a numerical model was established to simulate the impacts of window-to-wall ratio and window shading projection factor on the indoor environment. Results indicate that night ventilation introduces cool outdoor air to replace indoor hot air, cools building components, improves thermal comfort, and reduces cooling energy demand. Without additional cooling technology, increasing the window-to-wall ratio lowers nighttime temperatures but increases Degree Discomfort Hours, while appropriately sized shading devices mitigate daytime overheating from larger windows. Benefiting from the high thermal storage capacity of earth-appressed walls, semi-underground rooms offer better comfort with lower temperatures and higher humidity; for aboveground rooms, orientation is critical due to intense solar radiation. The air-drying shelter reduces solar radiant heat absorption and inhibits convective/radiative heat transfer on the roof’s external surface, significantly lowering its temperature from noon to midnight. This leads to notable reductions in the roof’s internal surface temperature (1.02 °C in the sealed stage, 2.09 °C during night ventilation) and the average indoor temperature (1.70 °C). Full article

The building sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy consumption and over one-third of energy-related carbon emissions. Therefore, it is vital to adopt low-carbon design strategies. Double-Skin Façades (DSFs) offer significant potential to improve energy efficiency through the dynamic control of heat and daylight. This study evaluates the combined effects of building orientation, fixed shading devices, and adjustable blinds on the performance of DSFs across six cities representing diverse climate types: Phoenix, Stockholm, Kuala Lumpur, London, Cape Town, and Tokyo. Using a model developed in DesignBuilder, 852 scenarios were simulated with 5-min time steps over a full year. The results show that optimal orientation depends on the climate and that cooling load may be reduced up to 59%, with CO₂ emission savings up to 11.7% compared to a base south-facing configuration. External blinds outperformed internal blinds in reducing the cooling demand, reaching reductions of up to 27.7% in hot climates, though often increasing the heating load in cold climates. Combining overhangs and external blinds provided additional cooling savings in some cases but was generally less effective than external blinds alone. The findings highlight the importance of climate-specific DSF designs, with orientation and external blinds being the most effective strategies for reducing operational energy use and emissions. Full article

In high-density cities, integrating photovoltaic shading devices (PVSDs) with urban block typology optimization is crucial for low-carbon development, yet the understanding of their synergistic effects remains limited. This study develops a novel multi-scale evaluation framework that bridges block-building hierarchies to address this research gap. Through parametric modeling, this study coupled 27 representative office block morphologies with 18 PVSDs in Wuhan, a prototype city for China’s hot-summer–cold-winter climate zone, systematically generating 486 scenarios for comprehensive evaluation. Using Rhino–Grasshopper (7.0) with Ladybug (1.7), Honeybee (1.6), and EnergyPlus (9.4), we then examined urban block typology-PVSDs interactions across these scenarios. Our findings demonstrate that coordinated block typology and PVSD variables serve as critical determinants of energy-performance synergy. High-Rise Hybrid blocks emerge as the superior configuration for integrated performance, achieving maximal passive energy savings, optimal renewable energy utilization, and substantial carbon reduction. PVSDs that are 0.4 m in width, with specific distance-to-width ratios, yield the highest integrated benefits. This work advances sustainable urban design by establishing a morphology–energy nexus framework, providing architects and urban planners with actionable strategies for climate-responsive design in similar regions, with direct implications for maximizing energy–PV synergy through morphology-aware design approaches. Full article

A biomimetic adaptive façade applies natural principles to building design using shading devices that dynamically respond to environmental changes, enhancing daylight, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency. While motorised systems offer precision through sensors and mechanical actuation, they consume energy and are complex. In contrast, passively actuated systems use smart materials that respond to environmental stimuli, offering simpler and more sustainable operation, but often lack responsiveness to dynamic conditions. This study explores a sequential approach by initially developing motorised shading concepts before transitioning to a passive actuation strategy. In the first phase, nine mechanically actuated shading device concepts were designed, inspired by the opening and closing behaviour of plant stomata, and evaluated on structural robustness, actuation efficiency, ease of installation, and visual integration. One concept was selected for further development. In the second phase, a biocomposite made of polylactic acid (PLA) and regenerated cellulose fibres was used for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to fabricate 3D-printed modules with passive, moisture-responsive actuation. The modules underwent environmental testing, demonstrating repeatable shape changes in response to heat and moisture. Moisture application increased the range of motion, and heating led to flap closure as water evaporated. Reinforcement and layering strategies were also explored to optimise movement and minimise unwanted deformation, highlighting the material’s potential for sustainable, responsive façade systems. Full article

Partial shading poses a significant challenge to photovoltaic (PV) systems by degrading power output and overall efficiency, especially under non-uniform irradiance conditions. This paper proposes an advanced time-sharing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control strategy implemented through a non-isolated single-phase multi-input microinverter architecture. The system enables individual power regulation for multiple PV modules while preserving their voltage–current (V–I) characteristics and eliminating the need for additional active switches. Building on the concept of distributed MPPT (DMPPT), a flexible full power processing (FPP) framework is introduced, wherein a single MPPT controller sequentially optimizes each module’s output. By leveraging the slow-varying nature of PV characteristics, the proposed algorithm updates control parameters every half-cycle of the AC output, significantly enhancing controller utilization and reducing system complexity and cost. The control strategy is validated through detailed simulations and experimental testing under dynamic partial shading scenarios. Results confirm that the proposed system maximizes power extraction, maintains voltage stability, and offers improved thermal performance, particularly through the integration of GaN power devices. Overall, the method presents a robust, cost-effective, and scalable solution for next-generation PV systems operating in variable environmental conditions. Full article

Urban planning in arid climates must overcome numerous nonclimatic constraints that often result in outdoor thermal discomfort. This is particularly evident in Béchar, a city in southern Algeria known for its long, intense summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 45 °C. This study investigates the influence of urban morphology on thermal comfort and explores architectural and digital solutions to enhance energy performance in buildings. This research focuses on Béchar’s city center, where various urban configurations were analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach that combines typomorphological and climatic analysis with numerical simulations (ENVI-met 3.0 and TRNSYS 16). The results show that shaded zones near buildings have lower thermal loads (under +20 W/m²), while open areas may reach +100 W/m². The thermal comfort rate varies between 22% and 60%, depending on wall materials and occupancy patterns. High thermal inertia materials, such as stone and compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs), reduce hot discomfort hours to under 1700 h/year but may increase cold discomfort. Combining these materials with targeted insulation improves thermal balance. Key recommendations include compact urban forms, vegetation, shading devices, and high-performance envelopes. Early integration of these strategies can significantly enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy demand in Saharan cities. Full article

The climatic conditions of a region are a constant object of study, especially now that climate change is clearly affecting quality of life and the way we live. The study of the climatic conditions of a region is conducted through meteorological data. Meteorological installations include a set of sensors to monitor the meteorological and climatic conditions of an area. Meteorological data parameters include measurements of temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and direction, as well as tools such as an oratometer and a pyranometer, etc. Specifically, the pyranometer is a high-cost instrument, which has the ability to measure the intensity of the sunshine on the surface of the earth, expressing the measurement in Watt/m². Pyranometers have many applications. They can be used to monitor solar energy in a given area, in automated systems such as photovoltaic system management, or in automatic building shading systems. In this research, both the implementation and the evaluation of an integrated low-cost pyranometer system is presented. The proposed pyranometer device consists of affordable modules, both microprocessor and sensor. In addition, a central server, as the information system, was created for data collection and visualization. The data from the measuring system is transmitted via a wireless network (Wi-Fi) over the Internet to an information system (central server), which includes a database for collecting and storing the measurements, and visualization software. The end user can retrieve the information through a web page. The results are encouraging, as they show a satisfactory degree of determination of the measurements of the proposed low-cost device in relation to the reference measurements. Finally, a correction function is presented, aiming at more reliable measurements. Full article

Tropical regions experience intense and highly variable solar radiation, often resulting in excessive indoor illuminance, uneven daylight distribution, and visual discomfort in high-rise residential buildings. This study investigates the daylighting performance of various external horizontal slat configurations as a shading strategy for east- and south-facing rooms in a typical high-rise apartment under both intermediate sky with sun and overcast sky conditions. Using IESVE simulations, ten shading device (SD) configurations (SD 1–SD 10) were evaluated for their impact on daylight illuminance and distribution uniformity. Results show that high-rise apartment room with a commonly used overhang provided poor daylighting quality, with excessive illuminance and low distribution uniformity. SD 10 and SD 9 achieved the best performance at 09:00 and 12:00, respectively, for east-facing rooms across design days, while SD 10 was optimal for south-facing rooms on both 21 March and 22 December. Under overcast sky conditions, SD 9 demonstrated superior performance. This study proposes a novel adaptive external shading device featuring adjustable horizontal slats that can be reconfigured throughout the day to respond to changing solar positions and sky conditions. This approach overcomes the limitations of fixed shading systems by adapting to dynamic tropical sky conditions, offering a practical solution for enhancing daylight quality in tropical high-rise apartments. The findings provide design guidance for the development of energy-efficient shading, climate-responsive shading systems tailored to tropical environments. Full article

The city of Al Ain is a fast-developing area. With building typology varying from low-rise to mid-rise, sustainable design in buildings is needed. As the majority of the city’s population is Emirati Citizens, the percentage of expats is increasing. The expats tend to live in mid-rise buildings. One of the central midrise areas is AL Ain Square. This study aims to investigate how an optimized mashrabiya pattern can impact the energy and the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) in a 3-bedroom apartment, fully oriented to the south, of an expat family. The methodology is as follows: case study selection, Weather analysis, Modeling/Validation of the base case scenario, Optimization of the mashrabiya pattern, Simulation of various scenarios, and Results. Analyzing the selected case study is the initial step of the methodology. This analysis begins with the district, building typology, and the chosen apartment. The weather analysis is relevant for using the mashrabiya (screen device) and the need to improve energy consumption and thermal comfort. The modeling of the base case shall be performed in Rhino Grasshopper. The validation is based on a one-year electricity bill provided by the owner. The optimization of mashrabiya patterns is an innovative process, where various designs are compared and then optimized to select the most efficient pattern. The solutions to the selected scenarios will then yield the results of the optimal scenario. This study is relevant to industry, academia, and local authorities as an innovative approach to retrofitting buildings. Additionally, the research presents a creative vision that suggests optimized mashrabiya patterns can significantly enhance energy savings, with the hexagonal grid configuration demonstrating the highest efficiency. This finding highlights the potential for geometry-driven shading optimization tailored to specific climatic and building conditions. Contrasting earlier mashrabiya studies that assess one static pattern, we couple a geometry-agnostic evolutionary solver with a utility-calibrated EnergyPlus model to test thousands of square, hexagonal, and triangular permutations. This workflow uncovers a previously undocumented non-linear depth perforation interaction. It validates a hexagonal screen that reduces annual cooling energy by 12.3%, establishing a replicable, grid-specific retrofit method for hot-arid apartments. Full article

The development of wave energy is of great ecological and commercial value. This paper studies the linear vertical array arrangement of the slope–pendulum wave energy conversion device (S-PWEC). Based on the WEC-Sim open-source program, we build four wave energy-generating devices with linear vertical array distributions to study the power generation performance of the array platform and establish the factors influencing the array. S-PWEC is affected by radiation and a shading effect from neighboring devices in a linear vertical array configuration. The overall and individual power generation efficiencies are similar. An increase in the number of devices in the linear vertical array exacerbates the fluctuation of wave excitation moment and output power, indicating that there exists an optimal array configuration for maximizing the power generation efficiency. The performance of the array devices is significantly affected by the direction of incoming waves, and the spacing of the arrays should therefore be adjusted according to the periods of the sea state: increasing the spacing in small periods and decreasing the spacing in large periods can effectively improve the overall power generation. In the future, we will continue to study other array forms of S-PWEC to improve the conversion efficiency of array wave power generation devices. Full article

In the context of global energy challenges, adaptive shading systems have emerged as pivotal components in building energy efficiency research. This study systematically evaluates critical performance factors influencing energy efficiency in adaptive shading systems for buildings located in hot summer and cold winter climate zones, with a focus on parametric optimization of shading panel configurations. Through field measurements, orthogonal experimental design, and numerical simulations, this investigation centers on the adaptive shading system of a nearly zero energy building (NZEB). Four critical parameters—shading panel width, panel-to-window clearance, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and surface reflectance—were rigorously analyzed through orthogonal experimental methodology and DesignBuilder^® simulations. This study identifies WWR and shading panel reflectance as the key factors for optimizing adaptive shading systems. Among the scenarios evaluated, the highest energy efficiency was achieved with horizontal shading devices on the south façade, featuring a panel width of 500 mm, a minimum clearance of 150 mm, a WWR of 55%, and a surface reflectance of 0.4. Under this configuration, the annual energy consumption was reduced to 8312.37 kWh, corresponding to a 2.1% decrease (8.31 MWh) in total site energy consumption (TSEC). This research provides valuable insights for energy-efficient building design in hot summer and cold winter regions, and supports the broader adoption of adaptive shading systems. Full article

In Saudi Arabia’s hot and arid climate, residential buildings account for over half of national electricity consumption, with cooling demands alone responsible for more than 70% of this use. This paper explores the hypothesis that contemporary villa designs are inherently inefficient and that current building regulations fall short of enabling adequate thermal performance. This issue is expected to become increasingly significant in the near future as external temperatures continue to rise. The study aims to assess whether passive design strategies rooted in both engineering and architectural principles can offer substantial reductions in cooling energy demand under current and future climatic conditions. A typical detached villa was simulated using IES-VE to test a range of passive measures, including optimized window-to-wall ratios, enhanced glazing configurations, varied envelope constructions, solar shading devices, and wind-tower-based natural ventilation. Parametric simulations were conducted under current climate data and extended to future weather scenarios. Unlike many prior studies, this work integrates these strategies holistically and evaluates their combined impact, rather than in isolation while assessing the impact of future weather in the region. The findings revealed that individual measures such as insulated ceilings and reduced window-to-wall ratios significantly lowered cooling loads. When applied in combination, these strategies achieved a 68% reduction in cooling energy use compared to the base-case villa. While full passive performance year-round remains unfeasible in such extreme conditions, the study demonstrates a clear pathway toward energy-efficient housing in the Gulf region. Full article