Façade Assessment of Thermal Fluctuation Attributable to the Productive Facade: Shading Coefficient and Spectral Properties Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Productive facades can be a promising green infrastructure for dealing with urban heat islands and food insecurity. Although producing productive facades has proved satisfactory, the cooling effect of small green spaces is still being debated. The incident solar radiation on the leaves is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted, potentially regulating the surrounding air temperature. Therefore, this study aims to discuss how the spectral properties of productive facades are related to the surrounding air temperature. A field experimental building model was carried out to investigate the fluctuation of temperature-affected radiation. Pumpkin (Cucubita pepo) and Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L) were applied for the productive façade, which was placed in east and west orientations. The research method analyses air temperature’s daily behaviour and spectral properties of the productive facades. The results revealed that the cooling effect of productive facades fluctuates. Among the spectral properties, absorptance and reflectance have a strong correlation with air temperature, with r=0.56 (east side) and r = 0.68 (west side) for Pumpkin, while r=0.68 (east side) and r=0.72 (west side) for Sweet Potatoes. Existing microclimatic factors, namely humidity and solar radiation, contribute to the degree of this correlation. The findings of this study will provide implications for the design of environmentally sound technology aiming to obtain a better cooling effect and contribute to the food provision for urban communities.