An integral approach to façades: a conceptual comparison between different types of facades

In high performance office new buildings and renovations nowadays it is common practice to use multiple façade technology. Double-skin facades are new possibilities for principal and architects seeking creative innovative design that are intelligently adapted to environmental conditions. The new possibilities make it difficult to make choices in the beginning of the design process. Methods to help the designers to make the right decisions are wanted. A method will be presented to support the evaluation within the design process of different facade concepts. Four different facades concepts were analyzed and the performances of the facades were measured. The results of this research are used for developing criteria to evaluate different façade concepts during a building design process.