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Classification of Double Skin Façade and Their Function to Reduce Energy

Consumption and create sustainability in Buildings

Article · November 2014

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 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

Classification of Double Skin Façade and Their

Function to Reduce Energy Consumption and create
sustainability in Buildings
Arash Yazdizad *, Firooze Rezaei, Foad Faizi

1. Department of Architecture, Energy, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, University of Tehran

2. Faculty of architecture, IAU, University of Science and Research-Tehran
3. Department of Architectural Technology, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares
University

ABSTRACT
In recent years, the use of double skin façades has been common throughout the world,
because of their characteristics such as durability, easy circulation of fresh-air, use of
natural resources, transparency, and their capability to reduce energy consumption.
Double glass façade systems are performed increasingly in high buildings, designed by
famous Architects, and being touted as a praiseworthy “green” building strategy. This
paper present characteristics and classification of double skin facades, and their
advantages and disadvantages in order to clarify whether or not these systems represent a
valid approach to energy efficient and sustainability in building or are just an architectural
fad. Finally we conclude that double skin façade systems create transparency combining
indoor environment with decrease energy use, and they are initiate point to convert height
rise buildings into the sustainable architecture domain.

Key words: Double skin facade, Natural ventilation, sustainability, energy efficiency

1. Introduction
Generally the installed areas of windows and glass facades have increased in new
building in recent years. This may to some extent be an architectural fad, but it agrees with a
human need [1]. The use of double skin facades has acquired expanding popularity in recently
designed office buildings [2]. The essential concept of the Double Skin Façade was first
explored by Le Corbusier in the early 20th century. His idea, involved the insertion of
heating/cooling pipes between large layers of glass [3]. As indicated by the term "double-
skin" such a façade is a system in which two "skins" - two layers of glass - are separated by a
significant amount of air space, and a second glass façade is placed in front of the first.
Generally, Double skin facade supposed to be as a thermal buffer in buildings, Since Buffer
zone air temperature is higher than surroundings during most of the day which decrease heat
losses and DSF reduce the amount of solar radiations[12]. These two sheets of glass act as an
insulation between the outside and inside enabling the air to circulate in the cavity between
two facades skin, and providing good air circulation, to reduce energy use [4]. Further
reduction could be achieved by placing shading devices in the cavity space. Shading devices
 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

help in absorbing heat and liberating it within the cavity. The absorbed heat is transmitted to
the surrounding air and adjoining surface by means of radiation and convection. The position
of the shading devices plays a major role in the distribution of the heat gains [5]. The most
interesting systems are those designed in such a way that in addition to permitting natural air
circulation, they also use solar energy, converting it into electrical energy [4]. In this research
we introduce this systems and its classification. Moreover we clarify the advantages and
disadvantages of double skin façade to verify their capability to reduce energy consumption
and create sustainability in buildings.

2. Classification of Double Skin Façade Systems

There are different types of classification for double skin facades. Most of them are
based on the geometric characteristic of facades [6]. Double skin façade has been used for
several envelop function such as optimization of natural lighting and better ventilation
system, and thermal and acoustic insulation [10]. The classification figure out here is based on
the mode of working of a façade presenting 3 categories which are independent on another.

2-1-The types of ventilation

It is related to the different types of driving forces ventilation of the cavity between
two glass facades. The ventilation of the cavity can be natural, fan supported or mechanical
[7]. There are three kind of ventilation in double glass façade:
- Natural ventilation
In this kind of ventilation hot air moves upward, and air flows in the cavity, moreover the
occupants have access to the air flow. The natural ventilation causes to reduction energy
consumption if performed well. Fig 1 shows natural ventilation.
- Mechanical ventilation
In mechanical ventilation, air flows with the aid of powered air movement component. Fig 2
shows the mechanical ventilation.
- Hybrid ventilation
Hybrid ventilation includes both natural and mechanical ventilation in which we use
mechanical ventilation when natural ventilation is not sufficient or it cannot work properly.

Fig1: Natural ventilation system Fig2: Mechanical ventilation system [17]

 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

2-2- The partitioning of the façade

The partitioning of the cavity shows that how the cavity between two glass façade
situated is divided. Ventilated DSF consider as a dynamic part of the building which use
different strategies to balanced best interior condition and environmental performance.[13]
(M. De Carli 2014, ) The double façade partitioned by storey with juxtaposed modules, the
corridor-type double façade partition by storey, the shaft-box double façade, and the multi-
storey double facades. Table 1 present the characteristics of each one. These groups
investigated through difference in air flow characteristic since it has important role in
accuracy of the DSF. In fact, Thermal exchange is among inner skin and flow in cavity zone.
This air flow is directly related to the type of vertical and horizontal adjacent stories and the
DSF dynamic design. The box DSF has horizontal and vertical separation which means each
box have independence in ventilation. But, since box size is limited overall ventilation
efficiency would be affected. The corridor DSF has horizontal separation in each floor
elevation. Ventilation is forced to have horizontal movement [14] (Wenjuan 2012, 179-191).

2-3- Shading angle and energy efficiency

Natural daylighting illumination can differ from 5000 lx to 40,000 lx in a heavily
overcast sky and in direct sunlight respectively. However, typically indoor lighting level
should be between 200lx and 500 lx, that means shading system specially in DSF façade
should make reduction in daylight absorption.

Tab.1: different types of module for partitionin

Juxtaposed Modules of the class façade restrict the
module cavity, horizontally and vertically
The The façade is height limited to one floor.
partitioning Corridor Cavity is a corridor in which one can walk
of the type through it
façade The cavities of each floor are separate from
others
It is not limited vertically
Composed of juxtaposed façade modules and
Shaft box vertical ventilation duct
The air is naturally drown into the ventilation
duct and evacuated by means of the outlet
located floors above.
Cavity is not partitioned either horizontally
Multi or vertically
storey The cavity is large enough to individual
access for cleaning or maintenance
There is high acoustic performance
Source(s): Yazdizad, Feizi, 2014.
 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

Since air and surface temperature are specified by sun-shading device angle and air
flow rate as a second parameter, Thermal efficiency of DSF is directly related to the sun
shading device function. That’s why thermal view must be the main factor to determine sun-
shading device color and position in buffer zone. However, small value of variety in sun-
shading angle could be adapted by DSF without effect on energy efficiency. Sun-shading
device angle let interior spaces to use better daylighting. High glazed surface with bad effect
on thermal comfort and good effect on visual comfort can be controlled with sun-shading
device due to thermal aspect and access to natural light both together. [10]. Gavan investigate
the energy efficiency of sun-shading device in different angle in three air flow rate. This
coefficient is the amount of removed energy from the cell by three air flow imposed in the
DSF. However it is affected by the lower and upper ventilation opening air temperature too.

Table . Energy efficiency calculated from the energy removed by the DSF. [10]
Sun-shading Energy Energy Energy
device angle efficiency efficiency efficiency
(Qv 200) ( Qv 400) ( Qv 600)
0-20 0.25-0.28 3.08-3.32 4.15-4.42
20-40 0.28-3.07 3.32-3.5 4.42-4.36
40-60 3.07-3.08 3.5-3.37 4.36-3.84
60-80 3.08-3.02 3.37-3.22 3.84-3.69
80-90 3.02-2.99 3.22-3.14 3.69-3.62

2-4- The modes of ventilation of the cavity

The ventilation mode refers to the beginning and destination of the air circulating in
the cavity. The kind of ventilation can be both naturally and mechanically. There are five
types for ventilation mode: Outdoor air curtain, Indoor air curtain, Air supply, Air exhaust,
Open and Close [6] (Loncour 2004, 6-14). Buffer zone, can be used for varies purpose
depends on climate, orientation, construction type, and the HVC system. Buffer zone also
named channel or air gap and this gap varies from a few centimeters to over one meter [10]
(V. Gavan, 2010, 183-195).Table 2 present features of each one.

Tab. 2 Different types of ventilation for cavity

Outdoor air Air comes from the outside and evacuated toward outside
curtain
The modes {3},{4}
of Indoor air Air comes from the inside of the room and returned to the inside of
ventilation curtain the room, naturally or mechanically
of the {1},{2}
cavity Air supply The outdoor air flows to inside of the room or into the ventilation
{6},{8} system
Air exhaust Air comes from the inside of the room and is rejected to the outside
{5},{7}
Open Air can come from both out side and inside( no ventilation in
{9} cavity)
Close Cavity forms a buffer zone between the inside and the outside, and
{10} no ventilation in cavity is possible.
Source(s): Yazdizad, Feizi, 2014.
 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

Crisine research declare that since natural ventilation through the DSF(with blind
located in middle of cavity) is considered during most of the daily time average air
temperature in buffer zone is higher than the ambient temperature air flow is upward.
However during part of the early morning the temporal capacity of the façade which located
in the shade makes delay in temperature rise in cavity. This delay makes cavity temperature
lower than ambient temporarily which make downward flow in the cavity [12]. Depends on
climate condition and the DSF orientation this upward and downward flow can be managed to
use natural ventilation in building.
Control and operation strategies in DSF specially in heating season has important role
in efficiency of DSF. Research in Korea shows that 1% energy reduction estimated when
cavity heated air enters directly to the interior space by operable window in comparison to
using DSF as a thermal buffer space. Energy saving is significant between morning and
noontime but total energy saving is not noticeable compared to base model. But 41 %
reduction in heating energy consumption resulted when operation method of introducing the
heated air in buffer zone into outdoor air mixing box of the HAVC system had been used. Of
course, this reduction is in direct relation to the outdoor and indoor temperature differences
[15].

Fig. 3. Six ventilation modes and ten airflow regimes (blind slats not drawn for clarity).
[11]

2-5- aerodynamic effect on the double skin façade

Aerodynamic effect on the double skin facade, is quit different from the conventional
single-skin façade both in energy demand and wind load. There are three surfaces which
affected by wind pressure in building with DSF, external inside and outside surfaces and the
internal surface. Therefore, the DSF aerodynamic loads are more complicated in comparison
to traditional façade. On the other hand DSF natural ventilation design needs deep
understanding of wind pressure.
Wenjuan has been investigated that width of the air cavity has important effect on the
mean pressure coefficient in façade both for inner gap and outer pressure of DSF. In that
article 3 layouts has been studied which conclude: short strip DSF, long strip DSF and L-
shape DSF. Research showed that pressure of long strip DSF has more variation than that of
short strip DSF. However both has same variation pattern of wind pressure with the change of
wind angle in external skin. But L-shaped DSF has totally different characteristic since in
wind with angle of 90◦to 180◦ on one side of the DSF, both external and internal layer take
 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

aerodynamic loads. Pressure in short part of the L-shaped DSF in more than long part in these
angles [14].
So, cavity zone and external skin pressure are directly related to the 3 main factors: air
cavity width, wind incident and layout. In striped type equal pressure occurred in both inner
side of external skin and internal skin outside surface. However gap pressure was usually
more than net pressure of the external skin. But, L-shaped DSF conjunction pressure is
fluctuated [14]. Safety and good performance of double skin façade require deep initially
analysis of wind pressure.

3. Reduction of Energy Consumption in Double skin Façade

In these times of high energy costs and climatic temperature rise by excessive use of
fossil fuel, energy consumption has become a central criterion for real estate. Double skin
façades use the solar heat recovery for heating the building in winter. Overheating of a
building in summer can be avoided by means of solar control double glazing and air
circulation. This curtain wall system has a thermally insulated external glass pane and a non-
insulated internal glass pane. Both panes are separated from each other by a wide ventilated
cavity. In winter the dissipated room air is heating the temperature of the inner shell as well as
the solar energy gained. The air in the cavity of both panes is heated by the sun and can be
carried off together with the exhaust room air and is conducted by means of a heat exchanger.
This way a part of the conducted internal heat is recovered which causes to reduce energy use
in building [8].
Glazing system composition, glass technical characteristic and weather conditions and
ventilation type are most important parameters in thermal performance of DSF. DSF thermal
performance is controversial issue since energy saving and thermal comfort together make
thermo-physical parameters which make hard evaluation for architecture. For example
transparent facades however make reduction in energy consumption due to natural lighting
but they are weakest component of the building envelope [13].
In summer the solar heat stored in the cavity can be conducted to the outside in order
to reduce heating of the building. Air conditioning systems can partly be omitted or executed
in smaller dimensions. Sunscreen louvers or special daylight systems can be integrated in the
cavity between external and internal pane. The first ones protect from overheating in summer
and save cooling energy, the second ones direct natural daylight deep into the rooms and save
energy from artificial lighting. These intelligent curtain wall systems can also be furnished
with solar modules for active energy generation [9]. So the double skin façade play an
important role to reduce energy consumption in both summer and winter. Furthermore they
improve the access to day lighting in the space with their increased glazing coverage which
causes to reduce the amount of electrical lighting. All of these lead to create sustainability in
buildings.
Furthermore, pre-heating efficiency during heating season through using multiple skin
façade as a heat recovery tool can reduce heating load which make energy consumption [13].
Initial DSF design has important role in energy consumption since there are many factors
which should be considered depends on every single context. In another research in Korea
quantitative analysis was accomplished to specify the influence of the primary DSF design on
the energy consumption. In this research in term of glazing type of the layers, energy
consumption change were maximum when glazing type of the window of the outside surface
of the inner layer changed and were minimum when glazing type of the inside of the inner
layer was changed. Location of windows glazing types, different windows glazing types and
cavity depth range were estimated in that research to investigate the optimized DSF[16].
 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Glass Façade

We can see the advantages and disadvantages of double glass façade in Table 3 and
the effect of advantages to reduce energy consumption and create sustainability in building.

Tab3: advantages and disadvantages of double skin

Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Glass Façade sustainability
Acoustic insulation -
Thermal Insulation *
Night time Ventilation -
Energy savings and reduced environmental *
Advantages impacts
Better protection of the shading or lighting *
devices
Reduction of the wind pressure effects *
Transparency – architectural design -
Natural ventilation -
Thermal comfort – temperatures of the internal *
wall
Fire escape -
Low U-Value and g-value *
Higher construction costs -
Reduction of rentable office space -
Additional maintenance and operational costs -
Disadvantages Overheating problems -
Increased air flow velocity -
Increased construction weight -

5. Summaries
In this research, the characteristics and classification of double skin facades was
studied in order to find whether this system has efficiency to reduce energy use in buildings or
architects use it only for Aesthetic purpose. To sum up we conclude that based on the
capability of double skin façades to prepare natural ventilation and air condition, and
transparency in buildings, it undoubtedly can be a factor for sustainability in buildings. This
system can reduce thermal energy in summer by providing good ventilation through its cavity
(naturally or mechanically), and uses solar heat recovery for heating the building in winter,
besides it is a good acoustic insulation in busy areas. Moreover their efficiency can enrich by
investigating on some categories- that should be detected in future- like climate (solar
radiation, outdoor temperature, etc) in which they are used, use of building, site of the
building (latitude, outdoor condition, local day light availability) and so forth.

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 2nd International Congress on Structure , Architecture
and Urban Development
16-18 December 2014, Tabriz , Iran

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