Influence of building shapes on thermal and energy performances in glass façade high-rise buildings: A review

Abstract

A high demand of high-rise buildings in the construction industry is due to rapid urbanisation to cater for increasing population in the cities. Application of glass as a façade material becomes a trend in high-rise buildings construction due to its lightness that reduces the buildings' dead load and at the same time increases the number of floors. However, this has become an issue as it contributes to the increase of urban heat island phenomena, global warming and causes thermal discomfort in tropical climate if it is not designed properly. This paper reviews the effects of building shape with different geometric factors (i.e. building orientation and window-to-wall ratio) on thermal comfort and energy performances in glass façade high-rise buildings, as well as discusses the solution or optimum range of the factors. The review provides an information about the most influential shape factors on buildings that a designer considers at the early design stage to optimise thermal comfort and reduce the building energy consumption.