Thermally Active Smart Skin
In this research project a hydronic rainscreen system was developed that could adaptively move thermal energy and humidity around the perimeter of a building based on use data collected in the building through a network of sensors. The system utilizes data from weather forecasts, current and historical building use, as well as, a number of other data streams to adaptively move heat from the interior of the building to the porous building envelope that is able to sweat and use evaporative cooling as well as radiant processes to dissipate heat.
Figure 1. Diagram of thermally active smart skin.
Figure 2. Images of the GFRC fins that circulate water for cooling and also dew collection
Figure 3. Here we can see some variations developed for different orientations of the building. Some configurations specialize in allowing for evaporative cooling; some specialize in condensation collection; and some at absorbing heat from the environment to heat water for building use.
Figure 4. Here we have an illustration of how the skin might adapt depending on a specific time of day and specific use patterns. Here we see a scenario occurring in the morning during the spring and located along the western face of the building. At this time the envelope is circulating cool water through its fins to extract dew from the environment and also adaptively cooling exterior areas adjacent to the skin where people are located.
Figure 5. Here we see a scenario occurring during the middle of the day - as the sun heats the building, excess heat is circulated to the building envelope and dissipated through radiation and evaporative cooling processes to the environment. Exterior zones adjacent to the skin are also adaptively cooled with evaporative cooling in response to human occupation patterns.
Figure 6. In the afternoon as the western facade is hitwith the punishing light of the sun the sweat skin system switches into solar thermal collection mode and uses the western exposure to heat water which will be stored for heating in the evening.
Figure 7. In the evening the stored heat from the afternoon sun is adaptively circulated to the rest of thebuilding according to use needs.