Facade design optimization for naturally ventilated residential buildings in Singapore

Parametric studies of facade designs for naturally ventilated residential buildings in Singapore were carried out to optimize facade designs for better indoor thermal comfort and energy saving. Two criteria regarding indoor thermal comfort for naturally ventilated residential buildings are used in this study. To avoid the perception of thermal asymmetry, temperature difference between mean radiant temperature and indoor ambient air temperature should be less than 2 °C [F.A. Chrenko, Heated ceilings and comfort. J. Inst. Heat. Ventilating Eng. 20 (1953) 375–396; F.A. Chrenko, Heated ceilings and comfort. J. Inst. Heat. Ventilating Eng. 21 (1953) 145–154]. Thermal comfort regression model for naturally ventilated residential buildings in Singapore was used to evaluate various facade designs either. Facade design parameters: U-values, orientations, WWR (window to wall ratio) and shading device lengths are considered in the investigation. The building simulation results for a typical residential building in Singapore indicated that the U-value of facade materials for north and south orientations should be less than 2.5 W/m2 K and the U-value of facade materials for north and south orientations should be less than 2 W/m2 K. From the coupled simulation results, it was found that the optimum window to wall ratio is equal to 0.24. Optimum facade designs and thermal comfort indexes are summarized for naturally ventilated residential buildings in Singapore.