High-Performance Retrofit Strategies for Existing Science and Laboratory Buildings

“High-Performance Retrofit Strategies for Existing Science and Laboratory Buildings within Academic Institutions: Considerations and Design Strategies” focuses on sustainable design considerations and strategies for achieving a high-performance retrofit of an existing higher-education laboratory building, located in a cold climate. The primary objective was to evaluate the current state and potential retrofit strategies to improve building […]

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Thermoelectric Facades and Building Perforamance Modeling Procedures

“Thermoelectric Facades: Modelling Procedure and Comparative Analysis of Energy Performance in Various Climate Conditions” presents a methodology for simulating energy performance of thermoelectric (TE) facade systems. These novel facade systems can be used for localized heating and cooling in buildings. Simulations were performed to investigate impacts of TEs on buildings’ energy performance by comparing them […]

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Foreword: Future Building Skins

Building skin is one of the most significant contributors to the energy budget and the comfort parameters of any building. As energy and other natural resources continue to be depleted, it has become clear that technologies and strategies that allow us to maintain our satisfaction with interior environment while consuming fewer of these resources are major objectives […]

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Research Methods for the Architectural Profession

Research Methods for the Architectural Profession  introduces research as a systematic process, describes how to formulate research questions, provides an in-depth explanation of different research methods (qualitative, quantitative, and experimental), and explains how to select appropriate research methods and execute research studies. It describes the process of documentation, knowledge dissemination, and application of research results […]

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Impacts of Building Function on Normalized-Steam Consumption

“Impacts of Building Function on Normalized-Steam Consumption: Analysis of Floor Area Normalization vs. Linear Regression on Heating Degree-Days in Heating-Dominated Climate” presents a research study where correlation between monthly steam consumption data and monthly heating degree-days (HDD) was investigated, using several existing buildings as case studies. Linear regression analysis is one the most common methods […]

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Spotlight on Research: R&D and Innovation in Building Skins

“Spotlight on Research: R&D and Innovation in Building Skins” presents the guest editor’s introduction to the Facade Tectonic Institute’s SKINS Newsletter issue on Research, Development, and Innovation in Building Skins. This article discusses the importance of R&D and innovation in the architectural discipline, and highlights the numerous interviews and articles that emphasize research and collaboration […]

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