Case Study: TIFAIN Facade

This chapter presents the Italian national research project TIFAIN that explored the possibilities of designing complex and multifunctional, semi-transparent, and colored Building-Integrated Photovoltaic glazed facades. Moreover, the project analyzed integrating Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) into a Complex Fenestration System (CFS) with the light management technology that controls reflection, refraction, and light trapping for energy conversion. Developed integrative performance-based design methodology considers multiple criteria such as the high building energy efficiency, the energy generation by PV, and the user comfort, to achieve a symbiosis of both design and high performance in a unique facade system. This methodology is demonstrated on two different TIFAIN facades and their design, material, and performance criteria. Finally, the chapter describes the project consor-tium, the whole design process and roles, the upscaling process including proto-typing and testing, and various studies including Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), solar radiation, layout, and structural system.