High-Performance Double Skin Façade Buildings

This book provides a comprehensive theoretical platform for the use and construction of double skin façade projects. The DSF concept has been used mostly in European buildings; however, its success in other climates should be addressed. Increasing numbers of buildings are featuring double skin façade technology in the US; however, still relatively few have been studied for their performance in operation. This book gives architects a practical guide to analyze and evaluate the actual performance of double skin façade buildings in different climatic contexts. It is important for high-performance buildings to have tools to evaluate a design's predicted performance to achieve specific sustainable goals. To determine that the application of DSF in different climates will provide better thermal comfort, building simulation tools analyze various thermal comfort parameters through studies of the façade and compare them with the actual building's performance data. The book takes the reader on an on-site tour of eight DSF buildings around the US. Interviews with the buildings' architects and engineers, owners, and users offer additional perspectives and insights into the construction and performance of these developments in building design. This will provide architects with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in integrating double skin façades into their projects.