Smart solutions for solar adaptive façade. Preliminary studies for an innovative shading device

Future restrictions in terms of buildings’ energy consumption and the adoption of the Nearly Zero Energy Building standard in the EU, starting from 2019, are the basis of this paper. In high density cities, where tall buildings are widespread, the largest surfaces available for energy production are generally located on the vertical building envelope. However, maximized solar energy production from external façades may lead, as a side effect, to increased interior discomfort due to overheating of the building shell. This paper proposes a way to optimize both solar energy production and solar gain control through an innovative, kinetic shading device possibly integrating a PV system. The analyses are conducted on a case study in a medium density district in Milan (Italy). The study is divided into two processes of optimization: the first one concerns the solar optimization of the building’s shape, while the second is conducted on smart shading systems avoiding overheating. Having fixed some parameters, such as the presence of existing surrounding buildings and the allowable volume of the case study, as well as its height and footprint, an optimized shape of the building is derived through a process of generative modelling and volume-finding, aided by solar dynamic analyses. The optimized shape of the smart shading is the result of a further optimization process. Thermal dynamic analyses are conducted in order to understand which parameters should activate the system. This paper presents the first steps of this process: further detailed analyses are needed in order to solve all the limits of the research. In particular, it will be necessary to evaluate the internal comfort of the ambient behind the system, as well as further analyses on the technology and the materials that should be used. The innovative solutions deriving from the whole process will be the basis for future smart, adaptive façade components that, coupled with control systems that manage the overall behaviour of the building, can be used for new buildings and for the energy retrofit of existing buildings.