Design Strategies

This chapter considers a reference office building to apply all the theoretical concepts described in the previous sections. In these practical examples, three main responsive technologies—phase change material, electrochromic windows, and variable thermal transmittance windows—are considered to test the benefits of these devices in both current and future climate scenarios. Moreover, to account for their weather dependency, each technology is tested in three locations characterised by extremely different weather (Larnaca, Rome, Helsinki). The obtained outcomes allow to bring out possible weaknesses and strengths of responsive technologies in different scenarios, to properly understand their functioning and maximise their efficiency.