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The Triple Bottom Line Benefits of Climate-Responsive Dynamic Facades (2014)
Authors: Rajan Rawal, Vivian Loftness, Rohini Srivastava, Devanshi Dadia, Hetal Parekh, Agam Shah
Abstract:

To achieve net zero energy, façade designs must move from static dark glass monoliths to dynamic, climate responsive layers for balancing daylighting and shading, natural ventilation and mixed mode conditioning. While 5-15 year energy paybacks are sufficient to prompt some level of increased investment in facades, dynamic facades require the addition of triple bottom line (TBL) calculations that capture the economic, environmental and human benefits of high performance buildings. This paper introduces an approach to TBL justifications of climate-specific high performance building façade solutions, to provide professionals and manufacturers compelling arguments for inspiring building investment that will improve the quality of the indoor environment. Given that lighting and space conditioning are 80% of office energy loads in India, arguments for investing in façades that optimize daylighting and shading, natural ventilation and mixed mode conditioning are critically needed. This paper illustrates the triple bottom line of five climate-responsive façade and related system improvements – high visible transmission/ low solar glass, internal light shelves/inverted blinds, daylight dimming, external overhangs/shades, and operable windows - that demonstrate TBL paybacks of less than two years for new and retrofit construction. This ongoing project is funded by the US Department of Energy and LBNL, and undertaken in collaboration with CEPT, India through the Center for Building Energy Research and Development (CBERD).

Supported by:

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Govt. of India, Gujarat Energy Development Agency, U.S. Agency for International Development iNDEXTb (Industrial Extension Bureau) Govt. of Gujarat, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, New Delhi