Ian Chaplin

Singapore's high dependence on imported energy and food resources, and the lack of available land requires an efficient use of the built environment in order to increase energy and food autonomy. This paper proposes the concept of a productive façade (PF) system that integrates photovoltaic (PV) modules as shading devices as well as farming planters. It also outlines the design optimization process for eight PF prototypes comprising two categories of PF systems: Window façade and balcony façade, for four orientations. Five criteria functions describing the potential energy and food production as well as indoor visual and thermal performance were assessed by a parametric modelling tool. Optimal PF prototypes were subsequently obtained through the VIKOR optimization method, which selects the optimal design variants by compromising between the five criteria functions. East and West-facing façades require greater solar protection, and most façades require high-tilt angles on their shading PV panels. The optimal arrangement for vegetable planters involves two planters located relatively low with regard to the railing or window sill. Finally, the optimal façade designs were adjusted according to the availability of resources and the conditions and context of the Tropical Technologies Laboratory (T 2 Lab) in Singapore where they are installed.

Singapore has committed to reduce greenhouse gases emissions as part of the Paris Agreement. Increasing energy and food self-sufficiency through integration of solar and vertical farming systems into buildings' envelope could play a significant role in achieving Singapore's targeted reductions. This paper focuses on the design optimization of the façade systems that are to be installed at the Tropical Technologies Laboratory at the National University of Singapore. In particular, the paper presents the results related to five performance indicators which include solar energy and farming potential as well as the impact of the façade design on the indoor daylight conditions, shading and thermal performance. The multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method VIKOR was adopted in the evaluation of the created design alternatives. The results from the computational simulations on radiation, daylight, and thermal conditions were used as inputs. Final optimal façade design is selected for four types of facades according to BIPV and farming systems arrangements for north and south orientations.

Singapore has committed to reduce greenhouse gases emissions as part of the Paris Agreement. Increasing energy and food self-sufficiency through integration of solar and vertical farming systems into buildings' envelope could play a significant role in achieving Singapore's targeted reductions. This paper focuses on the design optimization of the façade systems that are to be installed at the Tropical Technologies Laboratory at the National University of Singapore. In particular, the paper presents the results related to five performance indicators which include solar energy and farming potential as well as the impact of the façade design on the indoor daylight conditions, shading and thermal performance. The multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method VIKOR was adopted in the evaluation of the created design alternatives. The results from the computational simulations on radiation, daylight, and thermal conditions were used as inputs. Final optimal façade design is selected for four types of facades according to BIPV and farming systems arrangements for north and south orientations.