Search Results (157)

The pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment has placed façade systems at the forefront of innovation in architectural design. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines generative design techniques with artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize composite façade configurations for next-generation smart buildings. Using parametric modeling, a wide design space of façade geometries and material compositions was generated, capturing trade-offs between thermal performance, daylight, structural strength, and aesthetic variability. Artificial intelligence algorithms, particularly machine learning models, are trained on simulation-derived performance datasets to rapidly predict key indicators such as energy consumption, thermal transmittance (U-value) and solar heat gain coefficients. The proposed approach achieved a predictive accuracy of 99.85%, enabling efficient exploration of optimal solutions across high-dimensional design alternatives. A multi-objective optimization strategy was further implemented to balance energy efficiency with structural and aesthetic constraints, producing façade configurations that outperform conventional designs. The findings demonstrate that integrating generative design with AI-based prediction not only accelerates the façade design process but also provides actionable pathways toward net-zero energy buildings. This research highlights the transformative potential of AI-driven generative workflows in advancing sustainable architecture and delivering intelligent, adaptive and performance-oriented façades for future urban environments. Full article

Historic towns serve as vital carriers of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, preserving unique historical memories. Quantitative analysis of their architectural facades is crucial for scientific conservation and cultural continuity. While existing studies predominantly employ qualitative descriptions or small-sample analyses, a systematic and replicable quantitative methodology remains elusive. To address this gap, this study innovatively proposes an integrated framework combining UAV oblique photogrammetric modeling, multivariate statistics, and spatial time series analysis. This framework aims to establish a methodological system for analyzing the morphological characteristics of building facades in historic districts. The study selected main streets from four ancient towns in the Chengdu Plain—Pingle, Anren, Xinchang, and Yuantong—and performed 3D reconstruction and morphological indicator extraction on 365 contiguous facade samples. Factor analysis was employed to reduce dimensionality, identifying three dimensions influencing facade morphology. Combined with cluster analysis for classification, the study systematically categorized four statistically significant and architecturally meaningful facade types. Furthermore, it quantified the sequential patterns and combination modes of street-facing distributions, providing crucial theoretical support and reference for the preservation, renewal, and sustainable development of ancient towns. Full article

The thermally efficient and lightweight TRC/CLCi composite panels for functional and smart building envelopes, funded by the iclimabuilt project (Grant Agreement no. 952886), offer innovative solutions to sustainably address common failure risks in facade systems. This work specifically emphasizes strategies for mitigating structural, thermal, and fire-related failures through targeted material selection, advanced design methodologies, and rigorous validation protocols. To effectively mitigate structural failures, high-pressure concrete (HPC) reinforced with carbon fibers is utilized, significantly enhancing tensile strength, reducing susceptibility to cracking, and improving overall durability. To counteract thermal bridging—a critical failure mode compromising energy efficiency and structural integrity—the panels employ specially designed glass-fiber reinforced pins connecting HPC outer layers through the cellular lightweight concrete (CLC) insulation core that has a density of around 70 kg/m³ and a thermal conductivity in the range 35 mW/m∙K comparable to those of expanded polystyrene and Rockwool. These connectors ensure effective load transfer and maintain optimal thermal performance. A central focus of the failure mitigation strategy is robust fire behavior. The developed panels undergo rigorous standardized fire tests, achieving an exceptional reaction to fire classification of A2. This outcome confirms that HPC layers maintain structural stability and integrity even under prolonged fire exposure, effectively preventing catastrophic failures and ensuring occupant safety. In conclusion, this work highlights explicit failure mitigation strategies—reinforced concrete materials for structural stability, specialized glass-fiber connectors to prevent thermal bridging, rigorous fire behavior protocols, and comprehensive thermal performance validation—to produce a facade system that is robust, energy-efficient, fire-safe, and sustainable for modern buildings. Full article

The Church of San Juan del Hospital in Valencia (Spain) is a Gothic church whose main architectural feature—the western façade—remained unresolved, posing structural and compositional challenges. The intervention addressed this issue while preserving the historical integrity of the building and its heritage context. A systematic methodology was applied, following principles of reversibility, sustainability, and compatibility with medieval ribbed-vault construction. The project resolved five key aspects: completion of the nave’s façade, coverage of the former atrium remains, access from the north courtyard, compositional coherence of the west courtyard front, and integration of the church and museum entrances. Contemporary materials and techniques, including aluminum, recycled wood, and handmade ceramic brick, were selected to harmonize with historic stonework, ensure durability, and minimize environmental impact. Design strategies guided visual perception, emphasizing the lower façade and resolving dispersive compositional elements, while creating functional spaces for ventilation, climate control, and circulation. This intervention demonstrates how a methodical, heritage-sensitive approach can solve complex architectural problems, combining innovation with historical authenticity, and enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic experience of the Church of San Juan del Hospital. Full article

This study focuses on the transfer of architectural facade styles. Using the node-based visual deep learning platform ComfyUI, the system integrates the Flux Redux and Flux Depth models to establish a modular workflow. This workflow achieved style transfer of building facades guided by deep perception, encompassing key stages such as style feature extraction, depth information extraction, positive prompt input, and style image generation. The core innovation of this study lies in two aspects: Methodologically, a modular low-code visual workflow has been established. Through the coordinated operation of different modules, it ensures the visual stability of architectural forms during style conversion. In response to the novel challenges posed by generative AI in altering architectural forms, the evaluation framework innovatively introduces a “semantic inheritance degree” assessment system. This elevates the evaluation perspective beyond traditional “geometric similarity” to a new level of “semantic and imagery inheritance.” It should be clarified that the framework proposed by this research primarily provides innovative tools for architectural education, early design exploration, and visualization analysis. This workflow introduces an efficient “style-space” cognitive and generative tool for teaching architectural design. Students can use this tool to rapidly conduct comparative experiments to generate multiple stylistic facades, intuitively grasping the intrinsic relationships among different styles and architectural volumes/spatial structures. This approach encourages bold formal exploration and deepens understanding of architectural formal language. Full article

Achieving optimal daylighting is a cornerstone of sustainable architectural design, impacting energy efficiency and occupant well-being. Fast and accurate prediction during the conceptual phase is crucial but challenging. While physics-based simulations are accurate but slow, existing machine learning methods often rely on restrictive parametric inputs, limiting their application across free-form designs. This study presents a novel, geometry-agnostic framework that uses only building facade unfolding diagrams as input to a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). Our core innovation is a 2D representation that preserves 3D facade geometry and orientation by “unfolding” it onto the floor plan, eliminating the need for predefined parameters or intermediate features during prediction. A Pix2pixHD model was trained, validated, and tested on a total of 720 paired diagram-simulation images (split 80:10:10). The model achieves high-fidelity visual predictions, with a mean Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) of 0.93 against RADIANCE/Daysim benchmarks. When accounting for the practical time of diagram drafting, the complete workflow offers a speedup of approximately 1.5 to 52 times compared to conventional simulation. This work provides architects with an intuitive, low-threshold tool for rapid daylight performance feedback in early-stage design exploration. Full article

Compared to the façades of student multi-story dormitories, flat horizontal roofs offer greater freedom in shaping the layout, orientation, horizontal inclination, and geometry of photovoltaic installations (PVI). The large number of parameters defining the geometric and physical characteristics of PVI necessitates the development of a method to support the optimization of energy renovation processes. To facilitate this innovative method, several automation and optimization procedures were implemented into a specialized computer application developed within the Rhino/Grasshopper graphical programming environment. The method’s algorithm allows for the definition of an initial parametric qualitative model of each rooftop installation. This model is configured through multiple iterative computer simulations aimed at identifying various discrete optimal qualitative models. The implemented optimizing condition concerns the amount of energy produced and relates to the variability of energy prices as well as the costs of purchasing and mounting the PVI. The optimizing procedure involves replacing a specific portion of grid energy with electricity produced by the PVI. The parameters describing variability include the geometric and physical properties, as well as the orientation of the PVI. In the second step, the algorithm optimizes the desired payback period and investment costs. The obtained results fill a gap in the field of multi-parameter optimizing methods for the energy renovation of student dormitories. Full article

The urgent need for sustainable innovation in the construction industry necessitates a reevaluation of how architecture engages with materials and fabrication processes. This paper introduces tailored fiber placement (TFP) as a novel fabrication method with significant potential for advancing sustainable architectural practice. Originally developed for aerospace and automotive applications, TFP enables stress-oriented fiber alignment, offering precision, material efficiency, and lifecycle-conscious design opportunities. To articulate these capabilities, the paper examines four case studies at multiple scales. Ranging from small-scale seating to medium-scale façade components, these examples demonstrate TFP’s ability to enable mold-less forming and integrative fabrication in support of sustainable construction. Through digitally programmed fiber orientations, the cases achieve both structural and geometric requirements while minimizing waste and improving workflow efficiency. This research positions TFP as a material-aware and performance-driven approach to sustainable architectural production. By bridging material, design, and fabrication, TFP contributes to more circular, adaptable, and efficient construction systems. Full article

Mycelium-based composites are a promising sustainable material with inherent fire resistance and acoustic absorption properties, the extent of which depends on the fungal species, the substrate, and the growth technology. These materials exhibit superior fire performance compared to synthetic polymers, characterized by low heat release, minimal smoke production, and a high char yield that inhibits flame spread. Some composites have even demonstrated self-extinguishing capabilities. Despite these advantageous properties, their application in the construction industry remains limited. To assess mycelium’s current trajectory, this study analyzes 90 real-world architectural and design projects. Our findings indicate that Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus are the most commonly used fungi, cultivated on substrates such as straw, wood, and sawdust. Architectural applications are dominated by building blocks, insulation, and facade panels, whereas design and art applications focus on packaging, furniture, and sculptures. A key distinction emerges: architectural projects prioritize function, while artistic projects emphasize esthetic experimentation. Although commercially successful in packaging, the use of mycelium in construction is currently limited to temporary structures. Enhancing its structural and load-bearing properties through further research is essential for its widespread use in architecture. However, mycelium is poised to become a key material that drives innovation in sustainable construction. Full article

This paper presents the results of experimental tests and numerical analyses of the behaviour of brackets used in substructures of ventilated facades. Two representative solutions were compared: a traditional aluminium bracket and an innovative passive bracket with a composite interlayer. The aim was to assess their load-bearing capacity, deformation and failure mechanisms, and the suitability of the calculation methods used. Laboratory tests were carried out at ITB’s accredited Laboratory of Building Elements in accordance with the European Assessment Document (EAD 090034-00-0404). The aluminium bracket was tested under standard environmental conditions. In parallel, finite element (FE) analyses were performed, including elastic–plastic modelling for metallic systems and material and geometric nonlinear analyses for the passive bracket. The results revealed fundamental differences in the behaviour of the two solutions. The aluminium bracket exhibited a predictable plasticisation mechanism, the ability to redistribute stresses, and a gradual loss of capacity. Linear analyses proved sufficient in this case and were consistent with the tests. The passive bracket, by contrast, showed quasi-brittle behaviour, strong temperature sensitivity, and no plastic reserve, resulting in a sudden failure mechanism. For this case, the use of classical linear models leads to unsafe simplifications and underestimated results. The study demonstrates that the development of passive facade bracket technology requires a nonlinear approach and extended long-term testing covering the rheology of composite materials and environmental effects. The findings also reveal a normative gap: current design guidelines and EAD documents focus on metallic solutions while overlooking the specific behaviour of passive brackets. The results constitute an important contribution to knowledge on the safety and durability of ventilated facades and may serve as a basis for developing dedicated design procedures and for updating normative documents. Full article

Adaptive facades represent the result of a complex combination of innovative technologies, components, and materials, as well as mechanical, electronic, or digital technologies from sectors outside the construction world (technology transfer), which require a constant multidisciplinary systemic approach. Unlike traditional envelopes, adaptive facades integrate aesthetics, functionality, and energy performance within a single system. This field of research has long been the subject of study by important institutions and research groups that have identified the macro-categories of adaptive envelopes that cover the largest share of the market and have defined the first ISO standards related to dynamic shading, chromogenic envelopes, and active ventilated facades. From the state-of-the-art analysis, adaptive facade systems exhibit short response times, measurable in seconds or minutes, while medium- to long-term adaptability remains underexplored. The objective of this study is to address this gap by considering durability and circularity. Analysis of a database of 329 building envelopes reveals a predominance of short-term strategies within the environmental domain, while long-term strategies focus on material durability and resilience through system regeneration and reuse. These strategies allow for maintaining energy performance by reducing degradation. Ongoing research integrates these strategies with reusability and circularity, extending the perspective beyond the building’s service life to support sustainable lifecycle approaches. Full article

Reducing energy consumption in buildings presents a challenge for the construction and architectural industries. Stakeholders in the building sector require innovative products and systems to reduce energy usage effectively. Building Energy Simulation (BES) tools are essential for understanding energy-related issues during the design phase. However, the existing BES tools are often complex and costly, making them inaccessible to many architects and engineers who lack the software expertise for integrating new systems into existing Building Energy Simulation frameworks. To address this gap, the authors of this article have developed a new tool that enables early-stage evaluation of building performance. Additionally, the tool includes Water Flow Glazing (WFG) as a construction element that is part of both the facade and the building’s heating and cooling system. The authors validated the methodology by comparing the results from the new tool with those from the commercial BES tool Indoor Climate and Energy IDA-ICE 5.0 in accordance with ASHRAE standards. The same cases were tested by comparing the indoor temperature of a room with the power absorbed by the water, as measured by both tools. A WFG facade can effectively help maintain comfortable room temperatures throughout both winter and summer while producing renewable thermal energy via water heat absorption. The accuracy of this tool was validated using the normalized root mean square error between results from the new tool and those from IDA-ICE 5.0, which remained below the maximum allowable error established by ASHRAE. Validation of the tool using an experimental prototype showed that a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.91 can be achieved through iterative refinement between the model and measured data. Full article

Relatively uniform consumption of a large amount of electrical energy intended for the current operation of the equipment of multi-story student dormitories indicates several actions aimed at renovation of these dormitories using photovoltaic installations producing electricity to replace the energy supplied from external networks. The research allowed for parameterization of input and output data, defining several innovative parametric and discrete models used in modernization processes and constituting the basis for optimizing energy renovations in terms of the substitutability of grid energy, payback periods, and investment costs. A new method developed to renovate dormitories was supported by an application elaborated in the visual parametric Rhino/Grasshopper design environment. This application enables automatic uploading of various meteorological data files and programming the loads, properties, and operation of the designed photovoltaic installation. This method results in a single optimal solution concerning a building renovation process, which allows for fully automated execution of the above activities. The developed models were configured based on a real renovated multi-story residence student hall located on the Central European Plain, for which a 34.3% balance of the replaced grid energy was carried out. The optimizing processes concerning the geometric properties and orientation of photovoltaic panels resulted in −30° of azimuth, 210 m² of total surface area, and 14° of tilt of photovoltaic panels distributed on the south façade, with 193 m² of surface area, 42° of tilt of panels arranged on the east façade, and an optimal payback period of 99 months. The invented algorithm, parametric models, computer programs, simulations, and optimizing calculations fill the gap in variant-optimized modelling and simplify the design processes of renovations of multi-story residence halls. These objects provide a basis for expanding the method to include other types of dormitory modernizations. Full article

The architectural heritage of the 20th century has proved to be highly vulnerable to the test of time, with slight variations in different geographical contexts. The lack of value recognition, restrictions imposition, and resulting protection has led to the loss of memory of material and immaterial values. Restoring dignity has been the primary goal of those who have given substance and vitality to the theme of Modern Restoration, inheriting from the past the method that requires, in order to catalogue each work, the essential stages of knowledge and documentation, preliminary to conservation and enhancement. It is precisely in this scenario, after analysing the experiences of institutions, bodies and associations in the field of filing and cataloguing, that the needs brought about by the digital transition were taken on board; the aim is to define, within the PRIN 2022 DIMHENSION project, an innovative operative protocol that is economically, socially and technically sustainable, aimed at the computerised management of 20th century architectural heritage. The steps are the identification of the global description of the history of the building, translation of the entire body of data into information assets (H-BIR), and the possibility of consultation using parametric models (H-BIM). A Digital Register has therefore been designed, initially for an international sample of late 20th century façade systems, which goes well beyond their dynamic documentation, creating the conditions for a platform for consulting the complex of information, structured in an H-BIR archive interfaced with an H-BIM object library. Full article

This article presents the manufacturing technology and mechanical properties of innovative pre-impregnated coatings (PCs). The base materials for PC are powders of metal oxides, non-metals, minerals and thermoplastic non-wovens. PC can be used in the manufacture of composites by methods such as vacuum infusion, autoclave curing or hand lamination. This is possible due to the novel PC structure consisting of a functional layer (FL) and a backing layer (BL). PCs are flexible so that they can be used on curved surfaces. In this work, five types of PC were subjected to a uniaxial tensile test. Depending on the powder used, failure force values ranging from 24.61 N to 28.73 N were obtained. In the next step, the pre-impregnated coatings were applied as a coating in “sandwich” composites made by vacuum infusion, which were subjected to three-point bending (3-PB) and adhesion tests. 3-PB tests proved that the coating remained integral with the substrate, even under high flexural deformation, while the adhesion achieved was in the range of 0.95 MPa to 1.57 MPa. PC can be used in many engineering products, e.g., for the coating of façade panels, roof tiles, automotive parts or rail vehicles, etc. Full article