Optimizing Indoor Comfort and Energy Efficiency using Right-Angled Triangular Responsive Facades in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Building energy consumption has been rapidly increasing in recent years due to several factors such as climate change and global population growth. Besides, the majority of buildings are not designed with the consideration of the alteration of the severe conditions of the external surrounding environment, which affects the indoor environment negatively. As a result, excessive HVAC systems are utilized in order to maintain the indoor environment and achieve the indoor human comfort. Thus, large amounts of energy are being consumed and the rates of the energy consumption are increasing rapidly. Responsive architecture is considered as one of the solutions that architects, and façade designers use in order to block the excessive solar radiation and direct natural light and thus enhance the indoor comfort zone. However, the majority of the façade’s pattern designs are not following specific guidelines. This study contributes to the field by identifying an optimal right-angled triangular façade design that effectively enhances indoor thermal comfort, reduces solar radiation, and minimizes energy consumption, thereby providing a practical solution for improving building performance in response to climate change and urban growth challenges. This article will study four different façade pattern cases, which are common in the rotational movement, façade orientation and pattern dimensions; however, they differ in the orientation of the axes of movement. The four-façade pattern proposals will be investigated through simulating the solar radiation, consumed cooling energy and the indoor operative temperature during the maximum solar exposure day. A comparative analysis will be conducted between the results in order to highlight the most efficient right-angled triangular pattern that can be used on the south façade in Cairo, Egypt in order enhance the indoor thermal comfort, enhance the energy consumption rates, reduce the solar radiation and improve the building performance.