Identifying Façade Orientations with Closely Similar Thermal Performance for Unifying Façade Design Features in Hot Arid Climate

Abstract

Large-scale residential projects require architects to balance energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and cost-effectiveness in designing building units distributed in different orientations. Applying a single design to all orientations may not result in comfort conditions and energy efficiency; meanwhile, creating a unique design solution for each orientation can be time-consuming and costly to implement. Despite numerous studies recommending design alternatives for particular orientations, the ranges where orientation changes do not demand a change in the façade design still need to be determined. This research aims to identify ranges for which changes in building orientation do not necessitate changes in the façade design. It involves conducting parametric energy and thermal comfort simulations in a test room and testing the findings using real-life datasets from a large-scale residential project. Glass type, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and utilization of shading devices were among the design parameters investigated. Results show that for all-year-round occupancy projects, a common solution can be applied for orientation changes between 0° to 10° from the north, −10° from the south, and ±5° from east and west for WWR of less than 50% in hot arid climates. These ranges can increase for small WWRs and when reflective glazing or shading devices are applied. This helps streamline design and construction processes, lower costs, and save energy in large-scale residential projects.