Innovative dynamic Façade systems for INdoor environmental Quality

Buildings are the single largest energy consumer in Europe and addressing the challenges of climate change require innovative approaches to building design and operation that reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, people spend most of their lives in buildings; thus, the quality of indoor environments, and indeed indoor air, is vital. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has shown some of the health risks associated with poor ventilation and demonstrated that improving indoor air quality requires urgent attention and next-generation thinking. However, with energy efficiency being a priority when designing new and retrofitting old buildings, there is a challenge to balance this with ensuring indoor environment does not impair the health, comfort, wellbeing and productivity of building occupants. FaceINQ is an exciting project that addresses the need for innovation in the design and operation of naturally ventilated buildings with complex glass faade systems, which are now a common feature in large-scale non-residential buildings. FaceINQs innovative approach utilises advanced computational models validated with measured data and qualitative feedback from building occupants to consider not only the building energy consumption, but also the impact of indoor environment on building occupants, and the impact of occupants behaviour on the operation of faade systems. Through an interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach (i) combining architecture, engineering, building physics, health and social science, (ii) utilising a living laboratory to collect extensive data, and (iii) enabling non-academic short visits and a placement to enhance the transfer of knowledge between industry and academia; this novel research will provide a paradigm shift in the design, assessment and operation of naturally ventilated buildings. The results will enable society meet urgent challenge of providing climate-friendly buildings that are healthy, comfortable and productive places for people.