Numerical Study of Balancing between Indoor Building Energy and Outdoor Thermal Comfort with a Flexible Building Element

Abstract

This study analyzed the environmental role of a flexible canopy as a microclimate modifier in balancing indoor energy demands and outdoor thermal comfort. Flexible building elements are often installed in traditional buildings, depending on the local climate in southern Europe. The architectural performance of a canopy was analyzed using several environmental software packages (Ecotect, Rayman, WinAir, DaySim, and EDSL TAS). Coupling methods were applied to determine the environmental influence of the attached building element, a canopy with fixed and operable panes in different orientations and locations. The results showed that the flexible canopy played a crucial role in reducing indoor energy demands (heating and electricity for lighting) and increasing outdoor thermal comfort under the canopy area. Outdoor thermally comfortable conditions ranging between 13 and 29 °C in the canopy space could be enhanced by 56.3% over the entire year by manipulating a flexible canopy, compared with a fixed canopy with 90% transparency in London. The flexible canopy with higher transparency helped increase outdoor thermal comfort in Glasgow, while one with lower transparency showed better performance during summer in London. The findings of this research will help broaden the range of architectural elements used in buildings.