Performance optimization of an office building with a dynamic façade system

Zhijian Wang; Magdalena Hajdukiewicz; Hailin Zheng; Pieter Jan Hoes; Marcel Loomans

doi:10.1080/14733315.2025.2524918

Performance optimization of an office building with a dynamic façade system

Zhijian Wang (Corresponding author)
, Magdalena Hajdukiewicz
, Hailin Zheng
, Pieter Jan Hoes
, Marcel Loomans

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

A calibrated building energy simulation model assessed a dynamic façade system (including shading and natural ventilation) in an office, achieving a mean absolute error of 2.1% for heating and cooling. Several operational strategies were evaluated, optimizing shading via solar irradiance setpoint. Integrating natural ventilation yielded a 14.9% energy reduction compared to a no-ventilation scenario. Sensitivity analysis showed minimal total energy changes with different occupancy densities and natural ventilation rates, yet occupancy density strongly affected the heating-to-cooling ratio. Broadening heating and cooling setpoints further reduced energy use, highlighting the system’s significant potential for efficient office design.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	31-43
Number of pages	13
Journal	International Journal of Ventilation
Volume	25
Issue number	1
Early online date	30 Jun 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/14733315.2025.2524918
Publication status	Published - 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Funding

This work was supported by the European Union’s MSCA PF FaceINQ project under Grant number 101066362; the Academic Committee for Design of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology under Grant number OA102424-10. We extend our gratitude to all the people who assisted and supported this research. The Real Estate and Atlas Living Lab are acknowledged for sharing data and assisting us implementing the measurement experiments. The technical staff of the Building Physics and Services lab at the Built Environment department are acknowledged for preparing the experimental equipment. Ádám Bognár is acknowledged for providing calibrated simulation model and further advice.

Keywords

Dynamic façade
energy performance
natural ventilation
thermal comfort
ventilation strategy

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10.1080/14733315.2025.2524918

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Cite this

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title = "Performance optimization of an office building with a dynamic fa{\c c}ade system",

abstract = "A calibrated building energy simulation model assessed a dynamic fa{\c c}ade system (including shading and natural ventilation) in an office, achieving a mean absolute error of 2.1\% for heating and cooling. Several operational strategies were evaluated, optimizing shading via solar irradiance setpoint. Integrating natural ventilation yielded a 14.9\% energy reduction compared to a no-ventilation scenario. Sensitivity analysis showed minimal total energy changes with different occupancy densities and natural ventilation rates, yet occupancy density strongly affected the heating-to-cooling ratio. Broadening heating and cooling setpoints further reduced energy use, highlighting the system{\textquoteright}s significant potential for efficient office design.",

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Performance optimization of an office building with a dynamic façade system

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