Active Facade
From Swikipedia
Introduction
Active façade is a building exterior equipped with smart glass, shading systems, or other technologies that can dynamically change the optical and thermal transmission characteristics of the windows.
Brief Description
An active façade is often used to promote the air flows through the building and is most effective when faced a southerly orientation. This means that not only solar energy is transferred across the glazing but also in warm periods shading is required in order to maintain a high quality working environment and comply with the thermal comfort requirements.
Smart windows and shading systems have optical and thermal properties that can be dynamically changed in response to climate, occupant preferences and building energy management control system (EMCS) requirements. These include motorized shades, switchable electrochromic or gasochromic window coatings, and double-envelope macroscopic window-wall systems. "Smart windows" could reduce peak electric loads by 20-30% in many commercial buildings and increase daylighting benefits throughout the U.S., as well as improve comfort and potentially enhance productivity in our homes and offices. These technologies will provide maximum flexibility in aggressively managing demand and energy use in buildings in the emerging deregulated utility environment and will move the building community towards a goal of producing advanced buildings with minimal impact on the nation's energy resources. Customer choice and options will be further enhanced if they have the flexibility to dynamically control envelope-driven cooling loads and lighting loads.
References:
http://www.green-building-dictionary.com/words.php
