Paolo Beccarelli

The Corolla Pavilion exemplifies a double-row, multi-chamber soft pneumatic adaptive structure (SPAS), with a distinct construction and span. This study aimed to further investigate the impacts of chamber pressure on movement and stiffness, as well as the actuation method employed to regulate these parameters. A petal was tested with two spans: short (around 27 cm) and long (around 112 cm) span. The short span experiment results show positive correlation with the hypothesized actuation mechanism, with vertical movement range of 23.5 mm. However, the long span setup only curved downward, with vertical position of the tip ranged from − 340.1 to − 10.1 mm. The correlation between pressure combination with the movement suggests that weight and stiffness of the petal substantially influence the movement. Although the employed finite element method cannot completely replicate the experiment, a simplified model indicates the interdependence between actuation and structural performance.

In Mexico, the national fund for disasters (FONDEN) spent up to USD 800 million yearly building low-income housing for victims of highly destructive disasters. Since 2002, a total of 34 thousand new houses have been built as a response to Hurricane Isidore. However, recent research suggests that most of the FONDEN houses have been either abandoned or repurposed, which questions their suitability. In this paper, the authors sought to gain insight into occupants’ perception of post-disaster social housing in Yucatan, southern Mexico, with views of understanding their use across this housing typology. The method employed in this study was a post-occupancy evaluation (POE), investigating occupants’ satisfaction levels and thermal comfort in the homes. This was conducted through questionnaires, observation through photographic documentation, and environmental monitoring. Results revealed that 52% of occupants reported extreme dissatisfaction during warm seasons and 28% experienced dissatisfaction during cold seasons. The most used electrical appliance (84%) was found to be fans for increasing air movement. This was consistent with the results of the environmental monitoring, which demonstrated that there was thermal discomfort 67% of the time in September and 19% in December. This accounts for a warm-humid period and cool period, respectively. The results suggested that thermal discomfort may contribute to the abandonment and repurposing of these houses.

Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) actuators are smart materials that adapt and switch shape in response to environmental conditions, allowing controlled and dynamic building systems. The integrated SMP strip enabled the adaptive facade shading system to operate independently and with flexibility under certain thermoresponsive conditions to regulate building performance. This study aims to improve adaptive façade performance in a hot-humid climate by determining optimal thermal activation factors for the shape memory polymer. This was achieved by comprehensively examining and analysing the impact of various SMP activation parameters on energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and visual comfort. In addition, dynamic IES-VE building energy simulation was used to evaluate the thermal performance of the adaptable facade. The results were validated using a multicriteria approach to compare with the existing glass façade of a high-rise apartment. The results showed that the coactivation technique, which combines solar radiation and air temperature triggers, proved to be the most efficient strategy to improve the performance of the adaptive façade. This strategy minimised heat gain, lowered indoor temperatures, reduced glare, and enhanced daylight comfort, resulting in notable energy savings through reduced cooling consumption. The study concluded that the utilisation of SMP actuators with fine-tuning activation parameters significantly optimised adaptive façade performance, promoting functionality, efficiency, and sustainability in buildings.

The aim of this research, carried out in collaboration with Maco Technology Inc., was to analyse the energy performance of temporary textile structures that are often used to host itinerant events. This paper illustrates the dynamic simulations carried on the Ducati Pavilion, designed by Maco Technology, which hosted Ducati staff during the different stages of the Superbike World Championship. Specific aspects relating to the structural/constructive system of the project were also analysed. The theme of energy saving and carbon reduction is of great importance in temporary and itinerant structures and environmental sustainability in relation to the materials used, storage, re-use, mode of transport and ability to respond efficiently to the climatic conditions of the installation sites is an important aspect. The Ducati Pavilion was modelled and analysed from an energy point of view using Design Builder software. Ways of improving performance were analysed under summer conditions. The paper focuses on the importance of optimizing the performance of textile envelopes: the methodology proposed allows visible savings in terms of energy consumption and achieves good levels of environmental comfort in temporary buildings with low thermal mass structure.

Membrane and foil structures have become over the last decades an attractive alternative to conventional materials and building systems with increasing implementation in different typologies and scale. The development of transparent, light, flexible and resistant materials like Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) has triggered a rethinking of the building envelope in the building industry towards lightweight systems. ETFE foil cushions have proven to fulfil the design requirements in terms of structural efficiency and aesthetic values. But the strategies to satisfy increasing demands of energy efficiency and comfort conditions are still under development. The prediction and manipulation of the thermo-optical behaviour of ETFE foil cushion structures currently remain as one of the main challenges for designers and manufacturers. This paper reviews ongoing research regarding the control of the thermo-optical performance of ETFE cushion structures and highlights challenges and possible improvements. An overview of different dynamic and responsive environmental control mechanisms for multilayer foil constructions is provided and the state of the art in building application outlined by the discussion of case studies.