Advanced Integrated Facades: concept evolution and new challenges

The exploitation of RES at the building scale, the possibility to perform the energy demand management and the ability to take the advantage of the opportunities offered by the outdoor environment are, today, key issues for achieving a satisfactory energy efficiency in buildings. It has been demonstrated that all these goals can be achieved through the adoption of the so-called Responsive Building Elements (RBEs). Among various concepts, Advanced Integrated Façades (AIFs) are probably one the most promising RBE technology, due to the important role that the building envelope plays in controlling the energy and mass flows between the building and the outdoor environment. In this paper the most significant outcomes of a twenty year long research activity, done on different types of AIF, will be presented. They are the results of both numerical and experimental investigations performed on various types of AIF, namely active double skin facades with various ventilation strategies (mechanical, natural, hybrid) and smart glazing systems. Morever, the present and future evolution of the AIF concept toward more comprehensive, up-to-date and visionary technological solutions will be discussed. They are the so-called Multifunctional Façade Module (MFM), like the ACTRESS prototype (ACTive, RESponsive and Solar) or the POWERSKIN+ system (Highly advanced modular integration of insulation, energising and storage systems for non-residential buildings). The ACTRESS prototype integrates high performance insulation systems (opaque and transparent) with energy storage capabilities (by using PCM latent heat). It hosts PV cells and the opaque submodule can be ventilated with various strategies. It is has been conceived and a prototype was built for monitoring its energy performance and its capability in providing optimal indoor environmental quality. POWERSKIN+ is an off-site prefabricated modular system, glazed and opaque, integrating smart material solutions to renovate existing facades of both double skin and advanced integrated curtain walls. It will be developed in a recently funded Horizon 2020 EU project.