Center for the Built Environment: Research on Building Envelope Systems

Research Area:

Research on Building Envelope Systems

Studying the implications of facade decisions on occupants and building performance.

Building occupants in perimeter zones are affected by outdoor influences such as noise, temperature, and solar radiation, and by their ability to control these influences. CBE is developing tools and criteria for evaluating facade performance in terms of occupant comfort and energy efficiency. We have also conducted extensive field studies to determine how operable windows and control of building features affect occupant comfort.

Building Envelope Research Topics

CBE projects related to building envelope systems include:

High-Performance Facade Case Studies
Lessons learned from North American and European case studies.
Facade and Perimeter Zone Performance Field Study
Evaluating the effect of facade design on occupant comfort and perception.
Evaluating Facade Performance in Terms of Occupant Comfort
Creating new industry standards for window manufacturers, designers, and specifiers.
Integrated Facade Symposium
We sponsored a full-day symposium to advance interaction between European and North American design professionals and researchers.
Case Study Research of Mixed-Mode Office Buildings
Studying the effectiveness of strategies which combine natural ventilation with conventional HVAC strategies.
Operable Windows and Thermal Comfort
Building occupants with control of operable windows are comfortable in a wider range of conditions than prescribed by existing standards.
Operable Window Signaling Systems
Studying "red / green" light systems: how they are programmed and how occupants respond.

CBE field studies have investigated both complex and conventional facades.

CBE's thermal comfort model has the capability to model numerous glazing types and shading devices.

CBE is studying the effects of facade design decisions on indoor environmental quality.


Research Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) HVAC Systems Envelope Systems Facade Performance Case Studies Facade and Perimeter Zone Field Study Facades and Thermal Comfort Facade Symposium Mixed-Mode Case Studies Operable Windows and Thermal Comfort Window Signaling Systems Human Interactions Sustainability and Whole Building Energy Publications Presentations	Research Area: Research on Building Envelope Systems Studying the implications of facade decisions on occupants and building performance.
	Building occupants in perimeter zones are affected by outdoor influences such as noise, temperature, and solar radiation, and by their ability to control these influences. CBE is developing tools and criteria for evaluating facade performance in terms of occupant comfort and energy efficiency. We have also conducted extensive field studies to determine how operable windows and control of building features affect occupant comfort. Building Envelope Research Topics CBE projects related to building envelope systems include: High-Performance Facade Case Studies Lessons learned from North American and European case studies. Facade and Perimeter Zone Performance Field Study Evaluating the effect of facade design on occupant comfort and perception. Evaluating Facade Performance in Terms of Occupant Comfort Creating new industry standards for window manufacturers, designers, and specifiers. Integrated Facade Symposium We sponsored a full-day symposium to advance interaction between European and North American design professionals and researchers. Case Study Research of Mixed-Mode Office Buildings Studying the effectiveness of strategies which combine natural ventilation with conventional HVAC strategies. Operable Windows and Thermal Comfort Building occupants with control of operable windows are comfortable in a wider range of conditions than prescribed by existing standards. Operable Window Signaling Systems Studying "red / green" light systems: how they are programmed and how occupants respond.	CBE field studies have investigated both complex and conventional facades. CBE's thermal comfort model has the capability to model numerous glazing types and shading devices. CBE is studying the effects of facade design decisions on indoor environmental quality.
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