BUILDING ENVELOPE

WHAT THE BUILDING ENVELOPE DOES

The building shell that part of the
building that serves as an interface
between the interior and exterior
environments.
This includes the foundation (vertical
wall and horizontal slab), the abovegrade wall and the roof.

WHAT THE BUILDING ENVELOPE DOES

It plays a critical role in solar gain
management, thermal load control, air
infiltration, ventilation, moisture management,
fenestration support, impact and disaster
resistance, noise control, air quality
management, design value and aesthetic
definition.
the exterior envelope plays a major role in
determining the aesthetic quality of the
building exterior, in its form color, texture and
cultural associations.

 "The envelope has to respond both to

natural forces and human values. The
natural forces include rain, snow, wind
and sun. Human concerns include safety,
security, and task success. The envelope
provides protection by enclosure and by
balancing internal and external
environmental forces. To achieve
protection it allows for careful control of
penetrations. A symbol of the envelope
might be a large bubble that would keep
the weather out and the interior climate
in." Chris Arnold, FAIA, RIBA
Building Systems Development Inc.

Figure 1. The building envelope

systems: Left, the 4 systems; Right, a
portion of the envelope showing some
of the other systems that integrate with
the envelope.

Below Grade Building Systems

Wall Systems

Basic Elements of the

Exterior Wall
1. Exterior Cladding
(Natural or Synthetic)
2. Drainage Plane(s)
3. Air Barrier System(s)
4. Vapor Retarder(s)
5. Insulating Element(s)
6. Structural Elements

Fenestration Systems

Glazing
Windows
Curtain Walls
Sloping Glazing
Exterior Doors

Roofing Systems

Roofs are fundamental in protecting buildings from moisture infiltration and other outside
weather conditions. Commercial buildings typically use low-slope or flat roofs, and the
choice of roofing material affects issues regarding moisture, standing water, durability and
appearance.

Atria Systems

The following performance issues are

examined for each of the envelope
systems:
Thermal performance
Moisture protection
Fire safety
Acoustics
Daylighting and perimeter visual
environment
System maintainability
Material durability

Additional performances
Seismic safety
Safety against blast and chemical,
biological and radiological (CBR) attack
Safety against extreme wind
Safety against flood
Indoor air quality and mold prevention
Sustainability and HVAC integration

The Evolution of the Building Envelope

2A A dome shaped
hut in Ethiopia
combines wall and
roof in one material;
2B Timber frame
and thatched roof,
Solomon Islands; 2C
Masonry wall,
Machu Picchu, Peru;
2D Packed mud
dwellings, Yemen
Arab Republic.

The ancient and

medieval wall on
the left attempts to
provide all the
envelope functions
with one material.
Later, right,
decorative finishes
were added to the
exterior and interior
of the wall.

The performance
of each layer is
variable. Some
materials may
perform more
than one function,
and their position
in the layer may
change according
to the climate.

This section through a typical non

structural exterior wall within a steel
frame building structure shows the
complexity of the layered approach
in its application.

Functional Requirements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Structural: If the wall is not part of the main building structure, support
own weight and transfer lateral loads to building frame.
Water: Resist water penetration.
Air: Resist excessive air infiltration.
Condensation: Resist condensation on interior surfaces under service
conditions.
Movement: Accommodate differential movement (caused by moisture,
seasonal or diurnal temperature variations, and structural movement).
Energy conservation: Resist thermal transfer through radiation,
convection and conduction.
Sound: Attenuate sound transmission.
Fire safety: Provide rated resistance to heat and smoke.
Security: Protect occupants from outside threats.
Maintainability: Allow access to components for maintenance,
restoration and replacement.
Constructability: Provide adequate clearances, alignments and
sequencing to allow integration of many components during
construction using available components and attainable workmanship.
Durability: Provide functional and aesthetic characteristics for a long
time.
Aesthetics: Do all of the above and look attractive.
Economy: Do all of the above inexpensively.

EXTERNAL ENVELOPE

STAGE 1
Consideration to be given to the following:
Building type and usage;
Building owners requirements and
preferences;
Local planning restrictions;
Legal restrictions and requirements;
Site restrictions;
Capital resources;
Future policy in terms of maintenance and
adaptation.

EXTERNAL ENVELOPE
STAGE 2
Decide on positions, sizes and shapes of
openings.
STAGE 3
Decide on style, character and materials
for openings.

EXTERNAL ENVELOPE
STAGE 4
Decide on basic materials for fabric of
roof and walls.
STAGE 5
Review all decisions and make changes if
required.

FUNCTIONS OF ENVELOPE
CONNECTOR (INSIDE N OUTSIDE)

FUNCTIONS OF ENVELOPE
FILTER

FUNCTIONS OF ENVELOPE
BARRIER

FUNCTIONS OF ENVELOPE
SWITCH

DESIGN CONCEPT
Open Frame -let outer and effects to
inner environment

DESIGN CONCEPT
Close Shell - Block inner
environment from outer environment

DESIGN CONCEPT
Mix Mode - Both concepts are used
in design process, depend on usage

REQUIREMENTS
Thermal Conductivity (k)

REQUIREMENTS
Thermal Conductance (C)
C = k/x (W/m2 C) ; x = thickness
Thermal Resistance (R-value)
R = x/k (m2 C/W) ; x = thickness
Coeffient of Heat Transmission (U-value)
U = 1/R (W/m2 C)
U = 1/R

REQUIREMENTS
Specific Heat (c)
Time Lag

Surface Absorption & Emission

Volume

FENESTRATION

Visible light transmission

Visible light reflecton
Solar energy transmission
Solar energy reflecton
Solar energy absorption
UV
U-value (Summer / Winter)
Solar heat gain coefficient
Shading coefficient (SC)

BUILDING ENVELOPE

Q = energy flow (W)

U = U-Value (W/m2 C)
A = Area (m2)
DETD = Deign Equivalent Temperature
Differences (C)

TYPE OF GLAZING
FLOAT GLASS
Float glass : Clear Float Glass
Low-surface temperature

TYPE OF GLAZING
Tinted Heat Absorbing Glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
TREATED GLASS
Heat Strengthened Glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
Tempered Glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
SURFACE COATING GLASS
Mirror glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
Reflective Glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
Low Emissivity Glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
PROCESS GLASS
Insulated glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
Laminated glass

TYPE OF GLAZING
Application glass: wired, pattern
glass

BUILDING INSULATION
Method of heat transfer
Conduction
Convection
Radiation

BUILDING INSULATION
POSITION OF INSULATION
Ceiling & Roof Insulation
Wall Insulation
Floor & Foundation Insulation

BUILDING INSULATION
MATERIALS OF INSULATION

Mineral fibrous material

Mineral cellular material
Organic fibrous material
Organic cellular material

TYPE OF INSULATION
CELLULAR GLASS

TYPE OF INSULATION
CELLULOSE FIBER: SHORT AND
LONG

TYPE OF INSULATION
GLASS FIBER

TYPE OF INSULATION
MINERAL FIBER

TYPE OF INSULATION
POLYYURETHANE FOAM

TYPE OF INSULATION
REFLECTED INSULATION:
ALUMINIUM FOIL

Bitumen is poured and aggregate

surfacing is shovelled onto a built-up
roof.

APP modified bitumen was field-coated. The

coating is weathering away as expected. If a
system with a field-applied coating were to be
specified, periodic re-coating would be required
throughout the roof's life. If re-coating is not
performed, the roof's service life and or other
properties such as fire resistance will be reduced.

CRITERIA OF CHOOSING INSULATION

Thermal Conductivity
Physical Forms
Bulk Density
Suitability for Service Temperature
Thermal Expansion
Resistance to Water Penetration
Resistance to Compaction

CRITERIA OF CHOOSING INSULATION

Fore & Explosion Hazards

Resistance to Vermin & Fungus
Health Hazards
Heat Capacity
Freedom from Odor
Corrosion
Maintenance Requirements
Chemical Resistance

Innovation has been most significant

in the wall and fenestration systems of
the envelope and has been driven by
four main influences:
Cost reduction for a competitive
market
Enhanced performance
Material innovation and industrial
research & development
Aesthetics

Building Envelope Innovations

All-glass office buildings, conceived (but never

constructed) by architect Mies van de Rohe in
1919 (left) and 1921(right).

Curtain wall development: (clockwise from top-left) 8A Pavilion Suisse,

Paris, Le Corbusier, 1930; 8B United Nations Secretariat, New York,
Architectural Consortium, 1950; 8C Lever House, New York, Skidmore
Owings and Merrill, 1952; 8D Curtain wall office building, any city, USA
19651985.

Future innovations still in their infancy are the double-skin curtain wall that
aims to provide controlled natural ventilation and hybrid systems that aim
to achieve substantial energy savings as a hedge against an uncertain
energy future.

Hybrid mechanical and natural ventilation with double skin

faade. Minerva Tower, London. Nicholas Grimshaw