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Double Skin Façade: The State of Art on Building Energy Efficiency

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DOI: 10.7763/JOCET.2016.V4.258

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 Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2016

Double Skin Façade: The State of Art on Building Energy

Efficiency
Mostafa M. S. Ahmed, Ali K. Abel-Rahman, Ahmed Hamza H. Ali, and M. Suzuki

 generations to meet their own needs [2].

Abstract—One of the most important methods of saving Double-skin façade is a multiple layer skins construction
energy in a building is by carefully designing its facade. A with an external skin (usually glass material), an intermediate
‘double skin facade’ is optimally one of the best options in space and an internal skin (usually glass material too) outside
managing the interaction between the outdoors and the internal
spaces. It also provides some architectural flexibility to the
modern buildings [3]. The DSF concept depends on
design. Double skin façade (DSF) building is one of the available evacuating the solar radiation absorbed by the glazing
energy conservation opportunities through recent intelligent envelope which enhancing ventilation within the building. As
buildings. The need to energy conservation and sustainable a consequence, minimizing energy consumption used for both
development in buildings is causing a new interest towards cooling and heating [4]. However, its implementation is
passive solar systems. This paper will survey the various types of accompanied by significant challenges due to the complexity
double skin facades systems, exploring their features and
functioning followed by a review of examples; both constructed of the thermal and airflow phenomena involved in its
and proposed, from different buildings. The paper will then behaviour as well as the adaptability of these solutions to
assess and analyze recent research and examples to attempt to climatic conditions of different geographical regions [5].
reach a conclusion as to whether with a double skin façade, Therefore, this paper will review present studies about
minimizing energy consumption within building. experimental and computational simulation of DSFs
Finally, double skin facade (DSF) has been proven to be strategies using natural ventilation to achieve low energy
highly useful and significant in current building developments.
consumption within buildings to draw conclusions about their
The only downside of double skin facade is that it is said to be
more expensive than the traditional single glass facade. However, implementation in naturally ventilated buildings.
it is widely agreed by many experts that double skin facade
(DSF) is more cost-effective in the long run. This is because it is
long lasting and more durable as compared to the single glass II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
facade
A. Definition of Double Skin Facade System
Index Terms—Double skin façade, energy saving, ventilated
There are various definitions of the DSF System.
façade.
Oesterle et al. [6] gave the most comprehensive definition
of DSF. For the author, a double skin façade consists of a
I. INTRODUCTION multi layered façade envelope, which has an external and
internal layer that contains a buffer space used for controlled
With the emergence of energy-consumption reduction as a
ventilation and solar protection.
major national concern, the search for better approaches and
According to Ding et al. [7] “Double-skin facade is
strategies in ameliorating energy efficiency of buildings is
composed of an external facade, an inter-mediate space and
rapidly increase. Buildings construction sector are known as a
an inner facade. The outer facade layer (glazing) provides
major energy consumers. Their operational energy is
protection against the weather and improved acoustic
commonly supplied in the form of electricity which is
insulation against external noise. An adjustable sunshade
generated from fossil fuels. Overall, studies reported that
device, such as blinds, is usually installed in the intermediate
buildings energy use constitutes about one third of the global
space to protect the internal rooms from high cooling loads
final energy use [1]. This was equivalent to almost a quarter of
caused by insulation”.
the global CO2 emissions.
It has become necessary to take immediate action to avoid Kim and Song [8], Wong [9] supported that: “Double-skin
dangerous consequences for future generations. Consequently, facades are multiple layer skins construction with an external
the level of interest in Double Skin Facades (DSF) has grown skin, an intermediate space and an inner skin. The external
rapidly due to the benefits claimed in terms of energy and internal skins could be of either single glaze or double
conservation that contributes towards sustainable glazed glass panes of float glass or safety glass. An adjustable
development, the underlying aim of which is to meet the needs sun shading device is usually installed at the intermediate
of the present without adversely affecting the ability of future space for thermal controls. The double-skin constructions
generally could be grouped under Box Window facade,
Shaft-box facade, Corridor facade and Multi-story facade”.
Manuscript received October 30, 2014; revised January 26, 2015. This
work was supported Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) as well
According to Baldinelli [10] indicated that; “Compared to
as the Egypt Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST). a single-skin facade, a DSF consists of an external glazing
The authors are with Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, offset from an internal glazing integrated into a curtain wall,
Egypt (e-mail: [email protected], [email protected],
often with a controllable shading system located in the cavity
[email protected], [email protected]).

DOI: 10.7763/JOCET.2016.V4.258 84
 Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2016

between the two glazing systems. Typically, the external into single story cavity height versus full building cavity
glaring is a single layer of heat-strengthened safety or height.
laminated safety glass, while the interior layer consists of 3) Category C: Open-able Inner Skin with mechanically
single- or double pane glass with or without operable ventilated cavity with controlled flue intake
windows”. 4) Category D: Sealed Cavity either zoned floor by floor or
Chan et al. [11] contended that: “Double skin facade refers with a full height cavity.
to a building facade covering one or several stories with 5) Category E: Acoustic Barrier with either a massive
multiple glazed skins. The skins can be air tight or exterior envelope or a lightweight exterior envelope.
naturally/mechanically ventilated. The outer skin is usually a The study by Lou et al. [17] introduces three design
hardened single glazing and can be fully glazed. Inner skin strategies for DSFs including continuous, box and corridor
can be insulating double glazing and is not completely glazed DSFs as shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, a similar study by
in most applications. The width of the air cavity between the Heusler and Compagno [18] categorizes the DSFs into three
two skins can range from 200 mm to more than 2 m. An types of window, story and multiple stories’ as represented in
air-tightened double skin facade can provide increased Fig. 2.
thermal insulation for the building so as to reduce the heat loss
in winter season. On the other hand, moving cavity air inside a
ventilated double skin facade can absorb heat energy from the
sun-lit glazing and reduce the heat gain as well as the cooling
demand of a building”.
B. Concept and Functionality of the Double Skin Façade
The concept of DSF was introduced in early 1900s, but
little progress was made until the 1990s [12]. The history of
DSF is not particularly established and knowledge on the
physical processes involved is still lacking. Although its use is
more popular in places with more stringent building energy (a) continuous DSF (b) box DSF (c) corridor DSF
performance regulations, most countries do not have any Fig. 1. Main design strategies of DSFs [19].
standard guidelines on how to design and assess the
performance of DSF, which can be a barrier for its
implementation [13].
A DSF consists of a normal façade, an air cavity and an
additional external skin usually made of glass. It is a common
practice to implement a shading system within the cavity
between the two layers of the façade. According to Gracia et
al. [14] the main factors that encourage air movement in
buildings with DSF are the movement of the surrounding
wind and the pressure difference due to the thermal buoyancy
that occurs in the cavity. The phenomenon of thermal
chimney within the DSF occurs due to the density difference
between the warmer air inside the cavity and the cooler air
outside. The air inside the cavity is warmed up by the solar
radiation and exhausted to outside from the top of the cavity.
In naturally ventilated building, fresh air is often drawn from
windows on the opposite side of the DSF, which passes
through the occupant space before being extracted into the
cavity of the DSF [15].
C. Classification of Double Skin Facades
There are different ways to classify Double Skin Facade Fig. 2. Categorization of DSFs [20].
systems. The systems can be categorized by the type of
construction, the origin, destination and type of the air flow in D. Advantages and Disadvantage of the Double Skin
the cavity, etc. Façade Concept
The Environmental Engineering firm of Battle McCarthy in
Great Britain created a categorization of five primary types 1) Advantage of the double skin façade concept
(plus sub-classifications) based on commonalities of façade The primary benefits attributed to DSF are their ability to
configuration and the manner of operation. These are [16]: save energy and permit day lighting of the internal spaces of
1) Category A: Sealed Inner Skin: subdivided into the building. In regard to the reduction in energy use, DSF are
mechanically ventilated cavity with controlled flue intake credited with the ability to mitigate the impact of the
versus a ventilated and serviced thermal flue. prevailing climatic and environmental conditions on the
2) Category B: Openable Inner and Outer Skins: subdivided interior of a building, allowing a reduction in the size, extent

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 Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2016

and operation of a building’s Heating, Ventilation and Air development in buildings is causing a new interest towards
Conditioning (HVAC) systems. In some cases DSF have been passive systems. Among them, double-skin facade (DSF)
credited with eliminating the need for air conditioning proves to be passive ventilated façade.
altogether. Battle McCarthy, a United Kingdom based Many of interesting investigations and findings are
engineering and landscape architectural practice, state on reported in the literature relating to passive ventilation in
their website that “…. double skin buildings are able to reduce buildings and the thermal performance of double-skin facades.
energy consumption by 65%, running costs by 65% and cut Although most of the researches are done mainly in moderate
CO2 emissions by 50%, in the cold temperate climatic countries conditions but they have revealed close link
prevalent in the United Kingdom when compared to advanced between natural ventilation design and the function of
single skin building.” [21]. double-skin facade.
Reducing heating demand. DSF achieve this in a number of According to Oesterle et al. [6], significant energy savings
ways. Firstly, the cavity between the inner and outer skin can be achieved only where Double Skin Facades make
forms an additional layer of insulation to the building, window ventilation possible or where they considerably
preventing heat loss. Secondly, warm air in the cavity can be extend the period in which the natural ventilation can
used to preheat fresh air being introduced into the building for exploited.
ventilation. Thirdly, extensive glazing allows sunlight to be Reduction of the wind pressure effect: the double skin
used for passive heating of the interior of the building [21]. façades around high rise buildings can serve to reduce the
Controlling solar gain. In warmer months and climates, the effect of wind pressure.
cooling demand can be very high due to solar gain through Allowing natural ventilation in DSF by operable windows
windows and the fabric of buildings. DSF can reduce the in the inner skin is believed to significantly reduce the load on
impact of this solar gain by allowing shading devices to be the HVAC system by providing fresh air and cooling comfort
installed in the cavity between the two skins, preventing for the occupants of a building. DSF can allow for natural
sunlight from reaching the inner skin. The shading devices are ventilation even in high rise buildings by providing protection
normally adjustable to ensure that views through the highly for windows in the inner skin from wind and weather. DSFs
glazed façade are retained as much as possible. Warm air can also be used for passive night time cooling of a building’s
trapped within the cavity can be expelled by natural and/or structure, and a stack effect can be created within the cavity to
mechanical ventilation to prevent it from heating up the improve cross ventilation and purge hot air from the building
interior of the building. The cavity protects the shading [21].
devices from rain and wind, especially on tall buildings, as Gratia and Herde [23] attempted to look at the impact of
well as providing access for maintenance of these devices double-skin facade facing southern direction in a temperate
[21]. climatic condition. Thermal analysis using simulation
Energy savings and reduced environmental impacts: In software of different seasons of a year was done for a low-rise
principle, Double Skin Façade can save energy when properly office building with and without double-skin façade. It was
designed. Often, when the conventional insulation of the found that significant energy saving is possible if natural
exterior wall is poor, the savings that can be obtained with the ventilation could be exploited through the use of double-skin
additional skin may seem impressive. According to Arons and façade.
Glicksman [22], energy savings attributed to double skin
façades are achieved by minimizing solar loading at the
perimeter of buildings. Providing low solar factor and low U IV. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOUBLE SKIN FAÇADE
Value minimizing cooling load of adjacent spaces. AND SAVING ENERGY IN BUILDING
2) Disadvantages of the double skin façade concept Many studies recommend the application of double-skin
The disadvantages mentioned in literature concerning the facades for reducing the heat gains as an energy efficient
Double Skin Façade concept are described below: feature for development of low energy buildings [24], [25].
Higher construction costs compared to a conventional Shameri et al. [5] explicitly introduces the adoption of
façade. As Oesterle et al. [6], describe, “no one would dispute double-skin facades as an effective solution for the goal of
that double skin facades are more expensive than single skin energy saving in buildings. In principal, the combination of
forms: the construction of the outer layer and the space two façade layers with an empty space inside (air gap - cavity)
between the two skins makes the former type more elaborate”. develops the idea of DSFs [26]. Gratia [27] explains that
Additional maintenance and operational costs: Comparing double-skin facades are derived progressively from the
the Double Skin and the Single Skin type of façade, one can concept of a façade deigned entirely by glass. On the other
easily see that the Double Skin type has higher cost regarding hand, referring to the study by Mingotti et al. [28], the
construction, cleaning, operating, inspection, servicing, and external and internal layers of DSFs must have versatile
maintenance [16]. Oesterle et al. [6], give an extensive openings in order to ensure air ventilation within the cavity as
description of the method to estimate the costs. As he claims, well as the interior atmosphere of the adjacent interior spaces.
still there is not a very efficient way to estimate the costs. In view of that, it is reflected that the temperature and air
ventilation are inherently related to the size of cavity, hence,
the studies by Balocco and Colombari [29], Balocco [30]
III. PASSIVE VENTILATION AND DOUBLE-SKIN FAÇADE confirm that once the widths of cavity gets decreased, there is
The need to energy conservation and sustainable a high risk of being confronted with an overheating façade

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 Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2016

layer particularly, in summer. Nonetheless, in general, in consumptions, particularly with respect to the cooling
double-skin facades, there is an opportunity of adding an extra demands.
glaze skin to the building which could provide enhanced Thereby, it is inferred that there is still a need for future
visual comfort, improved daylighting and progressive energy research towards the further analysis, verification and
performance. The incorporation of the external and internal potential reinforcement of these facades to ensure enhanced
façade layers in DSFs also has impact on greenhouse effect as building energy performances.
visualized by Gratia and Herde [27] in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. The incorporation of the external and internal façade layers [27] Fig. 5. Main types of air movement in DSFs [31].

Meanwhile, with view to the sustainable energy Looking retrospectively, these facades could also be
performance of DSFs, according to the study by Chan et al. classified based on their construction types and the
[11], the heat transfer and air movement within a section of circumstances of ventilations. Thereby, in view of the
DSF is represented (see Fig. 4). construction types, there are continuous and interrupted
It is important to consider that the air movement in DSFs double-skin facades while with regards to the ventilation,
varies to suite the environmental requirements; hence, Haase facades are divided into natural ventilated, mechanical
et al. [31] identifies five types of air movement for application ventilated as well as natural and mechanical ventilated [4].
in DSFs which are visually represented in Fig. 5. According to the studies by Yilmaz and Cetintas [4] and Chou
et al. [24], it is inferred that in summer, the reduction of solar
heat gain is the main effect of double-skin facades while in
winter; double-skin facades help to minimize the heat loss and
improve the u-values. According to the study by Høseggen et
al. [34], comparing the single and double-skin facades, the
simulations confirm that the application DSFs reduces the
heating energy demand in buildings.
To improve the effectiveness of DSFs, unlike the
conventional DSFs, Ding et al. [7] proposes to add a thermal
storage as solar chimney above the double-skin layers in order
to improve the ventilations (Fig. 6). The analysis confirms the
effectiveness of the proposed concept in order to be utilized
for intelligent façade design developments.

Fig. 4. The heart transfer and air movement in DSFs [11].

Adding to the strengths of double-skin facades, Yilmaz and

Cetintas [4] highlights other positive effects including the
sound insulation and enhanced aesthetic features besides
sustainable energy performances. Similarly, Byrd and
Leardini [32] draws attention to the role of DSFs as the
preventing system for decreasing the noises while arguing that
despite the repeatedly discussed benefits of DSFs as energy
efficient systems, it is difficult to measure this effectiveness
based on the statement by Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratories [33].
On the contrary, other studies have explicitly ascertained
the effective result of DSFs for reducing the energy Fig. 6. Application of solar chimney as the thermal storage in DSFs [7].

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 Journal of Clean Energy Technologies, Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2016

Analyzing the essence of double-skin facades, Shameri et in DSF designs and its impact on the environment, building
al. [5] concludes that DSFs are essentially influential for ergonomics and human psychology, and comfort. Innovations
enhancement of building energy performance. One of the few in DSF designs should be further pursued and DSF
challenges for the application of DSFs is their cost compared applications in buildings should seriously be considered as an
to the conventional facades. Andresen [35] also highlights the element in addressing climatic changes and environmental
required cost for development of DSFs is approximately hazards as it is cost and energy efficient.
60-80% more than the conventional types. Nevertheless, it is
also elaborated that DSFs embody the concept of cost ACKNOWLEDGMENT
efficiency in long-time duration. Meanwhile, Shameri et al. [5] The first author would like to thank Egyptian Ministry of
expresses the ‘fire hazard risks’ as another challenge of DSF Higher Education (MoHE) for providing him the financial
application which requires further research and investigation. support (PhD scholarship) for this research as well as the
Egypt Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST)
for offering the facility and tools needed to conduct this work.
V. SIMULATION, MODELING AND EXPERIMENTS OF DSF
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[20] H. Manz and T. Frank, “Thermal simulation of buildings with Mostafa M. S. Ahmed was born in Assuit, Egypt,
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Nov. 2005. of science in architecture engineering from Assiut
[21] L. Author and B. Pollard, “Double skin façades more is less ?,” in Proc. University in September 2012. He was awarded full
Int. Sol. Energy Soc. Conf., 2000, vol. 21, pp. 1–25. scholarship to the Egypt-Japan University of Science
[22] L. R. Arons and D. M. M. Glicksman, “Double skin, airflow facades: and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt for
Will the popular european model work in the USA?” in Proc. ICBEST Ph.D. Program on September 2013. Currently,
2001, Int. Conf. Build. Envel. Syst. Technol. Ottawa, Canada, 2001, Ahmed is a Ph.D. student in Energy Resources
vol. 1, pp. 203–207. Engineering Department at E-JUST. His research
[23] E. Gratia and A. De Herde, “Optimal operation of a south double-skin interests are double skin facades, dynamic facades, and energy efficiency
facade,” Energy Build., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 41–60, Jan. 2004. within intelligent buildings.
[24] S. K. Chou, K. J. Chua, and J. C. Ho, “A study on the effects of double
skin façades on the energy management in buildings,” Energy Convers. Ali K. Abdel Rahman was born in Sohag, Egypt, on
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double-glazed windowsconvers,” Energy Convers Manag., vol. 39, no. Japan, in 1992. Currently, he is the chairperson of
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Energy Build., vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 240–248, Jan. 2008. (E-JUST). His research interests are heat transfer, fluid
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mechanically ventilated double glazed façade: Non-dimensional Technology, Hokkaido, Japan, in April 1999.
analysis,” Energy Build., vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 1–7, Jan. 2006. Currently, he is the director of Research Excellence
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performance,” Energy Build., vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 469–475, Jun. 2002. EJUST at Egypt-Japan University of Science and
[31] M. Haase, F. Marques da Silva, and A. Amato, “Simulation of Technology (E-JUST). His principal areas of research
ventilated facades in hot and humid climates,” Energy Build., vol. 41, and expertise: currently leading activities in the basic
no. 4, pp. 361–373, Apr. 2009. and applied research in renewable energy systems including solar energy
[32] H. Byrd and P. Leardini, “Green buildings: Issues for New Zealand,” cooling and heating systems, nocturnal radiation cooling systems, solar
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[33] Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, “High Performance cooling and heating of buildings including industrial energy audit and
Commercial Building facades.” energy efficiency.
[34] R. Høseggen, B. J. Wachenfeldt, and S. O. Hanssen, “Building
simulation as an assisting tool in decision making,” Energy Build., vol. Masaaki Suzuki was born in January 12th, 1949 in
40, no. 5, pp. 821–827, Jan. 2008. Japan. He graduated from Tokyo Institute of
[35] I. Andresen, “Dobbeltfasader (double-skin facades),” SINTEF Technol. Technology in 1972, and after that, he received master
Soc. Rep. no. STF22 A01016, Trondheim, Norw., 2002. degree in 1975 and doctoral degree in 1978 from
[36] M. Bartak, F. Drkal, J. Hensen, and M. Lain, “ESP-r : Integrated Tokyo Institute of Technology. He has worked in
simulation tool for design example 1 : A modern office building in Tokyo Institute of Technology throughout until
Prague,” in Proc. Int. Workshop of Integrated Build. Simulation, pp. retirement, from 1978 as a research associate, from
108–116, 2003. 1990 as an associate professor, from 1999 as a
[37] C. Balocco, “A non-dimensional analysis of a ventilated double façade professor. In this career, he worked as an exchange
energy performance,” Energy Build., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 35–40, Jan. researcher in University of Minnesota, U.S.A. from 1979 to 1981. In March
2004. 2014, he retired and was decorated with the title of Professor Emeritus,
[38] W. J. Stec and A. H. C. Van Paassen, “Symbiosis of the double skin Tokyo Institute of Technology.
façade with the HVAC system,” Energy Build., vol. 37, no. 5, pp. Prof. Masaaki Suzuki was nominated as First Japanese Vice president of
461–469, May 2005. E-JUST, and approved by the Board. He had been engaged in E-JUST
establishment project from its beginning in 2009 as representative of Tokyo
Institute of Technology under the Technical Cooperation of Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and has been worked as an
academic advisor from last March 2014 in E-JUST.

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