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 faades 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

People

A building is Responsive to dynamic fluctuation of

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

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
Design
approach
Energy Efficiency

Responsive
Building
Elements

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
roof

Solar
chimney

Window
shutters

Examples of RBEs
Core

faades
systems (ventilated facades, double skin facades,
Cooling/
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
wall

PCM

Active
wall

Embedded
duct
Cavity ventilation

Active
piles

Solar
space

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

Energy Use

From Component to Concept

Level

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

Step 1
Basic Design

Cooling

Lighting

Ventilation

Conservation

Heat Avoidance

Daylighting

Source Control

1. Surface to volume ratio

2. Zoning
3. Insulation
4. Infiltration

1. Room height and shape

2. Zoning
3. Orientation

1. Surface material emission

2. Zoning
3. Local exhaust
4. Location of air intake

Daylight Optimization

Natural Ventilation

Step 2
Climatic Design

Passive Heating

1. Reduction of internal heat

gains
2. Reduction of external
heat gains
4. Thermal mass
Passive Cooling

1. Direct solar heat gain

2. Thermal storage wall
3. Sunspace

1. Free cooling
2. Night cooling
3. Earth cooling

Step 3

Application of Responsive
Building Elements
1. Intelligent facade
2.Thermal mass activation
3. Earth coupling
4. Control strategy
Low Temperature Heating
System
1. Application of renewable
energy
2. Floor/wall heating
3.

1. Windows (type and

location)
2. Glazing
3. Skylights
4. Light shelves
Application of Responsive Daylight Responsive
Building Elements
Lighting Systems
1. Intelligent facade
1. Intelligent faade
2.Thermal mass activation
2. Interior finishes
3. Earth coupling
3. Daylight control strategy
4. Control strategy
4.
High Temperature Cooling High Efficiency Artificial
System
Light
1. LED
1. Application of renewable
2.
energy
2. Floor/wall cooling
3.

Heating System

Cooling System

Artificial Lighting

1. Building integrated ducts

2. Overflow between rooms
3. Control strategy
4.
Low Pressure Mechanical
Ventilation
1. Efficient air distribution
2. Low pressure ductwork,
filtration and heat recovery
3. Low pressure fan
4.
Mechanical Ventilation

1. Radiators
2. Radiant panels
3. Warm air system

1. Cooled ceiling
2. Cold air system

1. Lamps
2. Fixtures
3. Lighting control

1. Efficient air distribution

2. Mech. exhaust
3. Mech. ventilation

Integrated System
Design
Step 4
Design of Low
Exergy Mechanical
Systems
Step 5
Design of
Conventional
Mechanical Systems

1. Windows and openings

2. Atria, stacks
3. Air distribution
4. Ventilation control
Hybrid Ventilation

Integrated
Design process What
Where

Step 1 + 2
Preliminary design

Step 3 + 4 + 5
Final design

Step 6
Detailing phase

integral
creative
achievable

realizable
feasable
coordinated

univocal
detailed
makable

Christophorus Haus, strig

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, strig

Reduction of energy demand

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

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

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