Dynamic solar screens for high-performance buildings – a critical review of perforated external shading systems

Abstract

Dynamic solar screens are operable façade shading systems with perforations that are designed using parametric processes. Architects and facade designers have continually applied design patterns of aesthetically and culturally significant vernacular solar screens for creating contemporary facades in their static-fixed or dynamic-operable states. The purpose of this investigation is to review previous work on dynamic screens and related façade shading, identify research gaps, highlight methodological limitations, and propose future investigation of their unexplored impacts. Solar screens investigated in previous studies were categorized into different types for meta-analysis of their building energy and indoor environmental performance in tropical climates. Several gaps related to the influence of dynamic screens on occupant’s comfort in the indoor environment were identified. Realizing the importance of keeping occupant wellness at the top priority in building design, the authors have proposed a set of hypotheses that describe approaches to investigate and design dynamic screens for occupant well-being.

KEYWORDS:

• Dynamic solar screens
• vernacular solar screens
• building energy consumption
• indoor environmental quality
• socio-cultural significance
• aesthetic significance
• occupant-centric design

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.