The Principles of

Responsive Building Concepts

and Elements

Per Heiselberg
Department of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University

IEA Conference
The World and Denmark on the Road Towards CO2 Neutral Buildings
Conpenhagen, June 16, 2010
Scope

 To develop Responsive Building

Concepts, where appropriate Responsive
Building Elements and HVAC-systems
are integrated into one system to reach an
optimum Environmental Performance.
The interpretation of “Responsive”

 Responsive: ‘responding readily and positively’

with responding meaning in this context: ‘do something as a
reaction’.
 Intelligent: ‘ability to vary its state or action in response to varying
situations and past experience’.
This implies the presence of a computer or a central control centre,
since past experiences are used to determine the action to be
undertaken next.
 Smart: ‘having an embedded intelligence’
This implies not necessarily the need for electronics to adjust its
characteristics and applies mainly to materials and components, not
as much to façades or systems as a whole.

From presentation by Ad van der Aa

The interpretation of “Responsive”

 A building is Responsive to dynamic fluctuation of

environment to minimize energy consumption of HVAC
and lighting systems. (Technological approach)
 The interpretation of “Responsive”

 A building is Responsive to dynamic fluctuation of

environment to maximize human coexistence with nature
(to create more productive and refreshing space).
(Architectural approach)

People Speaking to the senses

How to respond to the Environment ?

 Examples
Technological approach Architectural approach

Energy Efficiency Quality of Living Space

From presentation by Prof Yuichiro Kodama

Technological Approach
ZERO Energy House

Hi-efficient HVAC
Super-insulated &
Air tight

Clean Energy Use

PV, Fuel gas, etc

Indoor isolated from outdoor?

From presentation by Prof Yuichiro Kodama

Architectural Approach
Nago City Hall 1983.
Office without AC in tropical climate Responsive but “not
comfortable”?

From presentation by Prof Yuichiro Kodama

Technological + Architectural Approach ???

Commertzbank, Frankfurt
1992

“Breathing” Hi-rise office

Natural ventilation
Day lighting

Energy efficient?

From presentation by Prof Yuichiro Kodama

In the Technological Approach, the building may
be isolated strictly from the exterior environment
because its fluctuation often disturbs the stable,
comfortable indoor climate.

In the Architectural Approach, the building may

impart a fresh and pleasant feeling on occupants
but may increase energy consumption in HVAC
and lighting systems.

Obviously, the Combined Approach is the most

preferable but it is critical to strike a balance
between passive- and active approach.

From presentation by Prof Yuichiro Kodama

How to Integrate Approaches and Reach the Right
Balance ?
 Combine approaches
Technological approach Architectural approach
Classical Responsive
Design Building
approach Elements

Energy Efficiency Quality of Living Space

 Fundamental principles

The best combination of active

technologies and passive design,
where a building can convert its
mode daily and seasonally,
according to the changes in the
exterior environment.
Responsive and intelligent building construction
- Fundamental Principle
Definition – Responsive Building Elements

 Building construction elements which are actively used for transfer and
storage of heat, light, water and air.
 In the design philosophy of the integrated building concepts, RBEs are
logically and rationally combined and integrated with building service
functions such as heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.
 RBEs are, thus, building components that assist to maintain an
appropriate balance between
optimum interior conditions and
energy performance by reacting
in a controlled and holistic manner
to outdoor and indoor environment
changes and to occupants requirement
Principles

The key principles on which a RBE relies on are:

 Dynamic behaviour and adaptability,
 translate into the fact that functions, features and thermophysical
properties of these elements may change over the time and
suitably fit to different building/occupants requirements/needs
(heating/cooling, higher/lower ventilation, …) and to different
boundary conditions (meteorological, internal heat/pollution
loads)
 Capability to perform different functions
 Intelligent control
 the proper functionality of one (or more) RBEs – at the
component level – is fitted and tuned by the intelligent control to
proactively contribute - at the system and concept level – to the
overall Integrated Building Concept
Responsive Building Elements
Active
Solar
roof Window
chimney
shutters
Examples of RBEs’
Core PCM
façades
Cooling/
systems (ventilated facades, double skin facades,
adaptable facades, dynamic insulation,…), foundations (earth
heating
coupling systems, embedded ducts, …), energy storages (active
use of thermal mass, material - concrete, massive wood - core
activation for cooling and heating, phase change materials, …),
roof systems (green roof systems, …), active/passive solar
systems, daylighting technologies, solar shading, ...
Trombe
Active
wall
wall

Solar
Embedded space
duct Active
piles
Cavity ventilation
From presentation by Ad van der Aa
WelWonen -Better Living
concept

 Combination of climate-floor,
energy-pile and energyroof
Responsive Building Elements Studied in Annex 44
From Component to Concept
Level
Energy Use

2006 2015
Design Strategy and Technical Solutions

 Reduce Demand
 Optimize form and zoning, insulation, air tightness, heat recovery, efficient
electric lighting and equipment, low pressure drops, etc
 Apply Responsive Building Elements
 Utilize renewable energy sources
 Provide optimal use of passive RES: solar heating, dayligthing,
natural ventilation, night cooling, earth coupling
 Apply active renewable energy sources
 Optimise the use by application of
low exergy systems.
 Efficient use of fossil fuels
 Use least polluting fossil fuels in
an efficient way,
 Provide intelligent
demand control of systems
Design steps
Heating Cooling Lighting Ventilation
Step 1 Conservation Heat Avoidance Daylighting Source Control
Basic Design 1. Surface to volume ratio 1. Reduction of internal heat 1. Room height and shape 1. Surface material emission
2. Zoning gains 2. Zoning 2. Zoning
3. Insulation 2. Reduction of external 3. Orientation 3. Local exhaust
4. Infiltration heat gains 4. Location of air intake
4. Thermal mass
Step 2 Passive Heating Passive Cooling Daylight Optimization Natural Ventilation
Climatic Design 1. Direct solar heat gain 1. Free cooling 1. Windows (type and 1. Windows and openings
2. Thermal storage wall 2. Night cooling location) 2. Atria, stacks
3. Sunspace 3. Earth cooling 2. Glazing 3. Air distribution
3. Skylights 4. Ventilation control
4. Light shelves
Step 3 Application of Responsive Application of Responsive Daylight Responsive Hybrid Ventilation
Building Elements Building Elements Lighting Systems
Integrated System 1. Intelligent facade 1. Intelligent facade 1. Intelligent façade 1. Building integrated ducts
Design 2.Thermal mass activation 2.Thermal mass activation 2. Interior finishes 2. Overflow between rooms
3. Earth coupling 3. Earth coupling 3. Daylight control strategy 3. Control strategy
4. Control strategy 4. Control strategy 4. … 4. …
Step 4 Low Temperature Heating High Temperature Cooling High Efficiency Artificial Low Pressure Mechanical
System System Light Ventilation
Design of Low 1. Application of renewable 1. Application of renewable 1. LED 1. Efficient air distribution
energy energy 2. … 2. Low pressure ductwork,
Exergy Mechanical filtration and heat recovery
2. Floor/wall heating 2. Floor/wall cooling
Systems 3. … 3. … 3. Low pressure fan
4. …
Step 5 Heating System Cooling System Artificial Lighting Mechanical Ventilation
Design of 1. Radiators 1. Cooled ceiling 1. Lamps 1. Efficient air distribution
2. Radiant panels 2. Cold air system 2. Fixtures 2. Mech. exhaust
Conventional 3. Warm air system 3. Lighting control 3. Mech. ventilation
Mechanical Systems
 Integrated
Design process What
Where

Step 1 + 2 • integral
• creative
Preliminary design • achievable

Step 3 + 4 + 5
• realizable
• feasable
Final design • coordinated

Step 6
• univocal
• detailed
Detailing phase • makable
Christophorus Haus, Østrig

Net conditioned area: 2000 m2

Start of operation: 2003
Energy use heating and cooling: 26,4 kWh/m2/yr (measured)
Total Building Cost: € 1200
Christophorus Haus, Østrig

 Reduction of energy demand

 High level of thermal insulation (U-value 0,1 W/m2K),
avoidance of thermal bridges
 Airtight construction (n50<0,6h-1)
 Heavy thermal mass for buffering (100 tons) and natural
cooling (natural night ventilation)
 Application of solar and heat protection glass, solar
shading
 Application of renewable energy
 Deep pipes in ground (8x100 m Duplex, double u-pipes
DN32)
 PV-system (cover yearly electricity demand for heat pump,
10kWpeak)
 Solar Thermal System (Domestic hot water, 5 m2)
 Efficient energy conversion
 Heat pump (heating, nominal power 43 kW, COP 4,0)
 Balanced mechanical ventilation system with high efficient
heat recovery (78- 86%, rotation heat exchanger)
 Surface heating and cooling panels
 Optimized lighting systems
 Total energy use: 20 kWh/m2/yr heating, 6.4
kWh/m2/yr cooling (75% less than standard
Dutch Embassy Canberra
More Information

ECBCS Website:
www.ecbcs.org

Annex 44 Website:
www.civil.aau.dk/Annex44