Energy-optimised construction with smart façades

In the past, the focus was on the appearance of a façade. It often underlined the social status of the owner. And the architect’s aesthetic style too!

Today’s buildings still need to look impressive, but building owners and operators now face far higher demands on the building envelopes: they have to protect against rain, weather, fire and burglary while at the same time regulating the incidence of light and ventilation as automatically as possible, providing solar protection and minimising the effects of cold and heat. It’s how they help to save energy and even contribute to energy generation.

But what makes a façade smart? To meet these demands, individual elements need to be networked in the façade. Individual solutions such as ventilation, heating or access solutions can of course also be smart on their own.

A smart façade requires numerous sensors to measure all possible external influences, wind for example, and transmit these readings to a control unit. Gateways enable networked devices to communicate with each other. The network can be either cable- or radio-controlled.

To achieve effective interaction between all the sensors, actuators and façade elements used, they must be networked - rather like a nervous system. All components and functions are combined and integrated. A building automation system serves as a central ‘brain’. It analyses all data in respect of the requirements in order to regulate and control the façade modules accordingly. For example, radiator valves, light switches, dimmers or electronic devices, as well as the entire safety technology with automatic shutters or burglar alarm systems and ventilation can be intelligently controlled.

Energy generation through façades

Examples of this already exist. They usually contain high sound proofing, combined with self-regulating heat, ventilation and solar protection measures that adapt to changing light and climate conditions. Some already use solar energy to comfortably provide interior heating and air conditioning.

Glass façades and solar panels deserve particular focus here. Because glass façades can generate energy from solar radiation in the form of heat and daylight.

Researchers and the construction industry are increasingly working on the development and production of such energy-generating façades. Smart façade systems represent a particularly promising technology for new buildings and the energy-efficient renovation of buildings. Energy saving with intelligent façades already works without any problems. Smart Windows, for example, can significantly reduce energy consumption thanks to automated ventilation and at the same time increase the comfort of building users.

GEZE drive systems for natural ventilation and RWA

GEZE window drives move a wide variety of windows – either for natural ventilation or as supply and extract air solutions for safe and fast natural smoke extraction (NRA and RWA). In modern glass façades, our drives can be used, for example, to automatically open very large and heavy windows and façade elements (up to 250 kg) as well as parallel-opening vent windows (PAF), even with high wind loads.

In the event of fire, reliable removal of smoke gases is vital for human survival. In addition to the RWA function, RWA control panels with digital bus technology can visualise feedback signals from window drives and network other components such as wind and rain detectors, temperature sensors and ventilation buttons. RWA solutions can therefore also be used for ventilation – and in addition to use in the event of a fire, they can also be used for other purposes.