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Evaluation of Thermal Comfort Performance of a Vertical Garden on a Glazed Façade and Its Effect on Building and Urban Scale, Case Study: An Office Building in Barcelona

Author

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  • Faezeh Bagheri Moghaddam

    (Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Josep Maria Fort Mir

    (Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Isidro Navarro Delgado

    (Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ernesto Redondo Dominguez

    (Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the thermal performance of vertical gardens by comparing the thermal comfort of bare (glazed) and green façades in the Mediterranean climate. The proposal consists of applying a vegetation layer on a glazed façade that could control solar radiation and reduce indoor air temperatures. This study investigates the thermal performance of green façades of an office building in the Mediterranean climate. For this purpose, the Gas Natural Fenosa Office Building as a case study was simulated, that is located on a site next to the coastline in Barcelona. Dynamic building energy simulation was used to determine and assess indoor thermal conditions and, for this reason, the IES VE as a simulation tool has been utilized. Thermal comfort was assessed through the adaptive comfort approach and results were analyzed and presented in the terms of indoor comfort conditions during occupied hours. As a result, the article shows that applying a green façade as a vegetation layer caused a reduction in the internal and external façade surface temperatures, as well as the indoor air temperature of the workplace. Additionally, enhancing indoor comfort in summer is closely associated with reducing the external surface temperature. In winter, it also protects the exterior surface from the low temperature of the outside, and all of this greatly increases thermal comfort performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Faezeh Bagheri Moghaddam & Josep Maria Fort Mir & Isidro Navarro Delgado & Ernesto Redondo Dominguez, 2021. "Evaluation of Thermal Comfort Performance of a Vertical Garden on a Glazed Façade and Its Effect on Building and Urban Scale, Case Study: An Office Building in Barcelona," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6706-:d:574175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juan E. Pardo & Ana Mejías & Antonio Sartal, 2020. "Assessing the Importance of Biomass-Based Heating Systems for More Sustainable Buildings: A Case Study Based in Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Ardente, Fulvio & Beccali, Marco & Cellura, Maurizio & Mistretta, Marina, 2011. "Energy and environmental benefits in public buildings as a result of retrofit actions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 460-470, January.
    3. Faezeh Bagheri Moghaddam & Josep Maria Fort Mir & Alia Besné Yanguas & Isidro Navarro Delgado & Ernest Redondo Dominguez, 2020. "Building Orientation in Green Facade Performance and Its Positive Effects on Urban Landscape Case Study: An Urban Block in Barcelona," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Hashemi, Sajedeh Sadat Ghazizadeh & Mahmud, Hilmi Bin & Ashraf, Muhammad Aqeel, 2015. "Performance of green roofs with respect to water quality and reduction of energy consumption in tropics: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 669-679.
    5. Pérez, Gabriel & Coma, Julià & Martorell, Ingrid & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2014. "Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) for energy saving in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 139-165.
    6. Ascione, Fabrizio & Bianco, Nicola & de’ Rossi, Filippo & Turni, Gianluca & Vanoli, Giuseppe Peter, 2013. "Green roofs in European climates. Are effective solutions for the energy savings in air-conditioning?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 845-859.
    7. Safikhani, Tabassom & Abdullah, Aminatuzuhariah Megat & Ossen, Dilshan Remaz & Baharvand, Mohammad, 2014. "A review of energy characteristic of vertical greenery systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 450-462.
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