Marcin Brzezicki

This study investigates the structural behaviour of three periodic two-layer spatial grids inspired by Ammann A4 geometry. The proposed configurations combine tile-derived upper grids with lower subsystems formed by selected continuous Ammann lines, interconnected through diagonal members. These lines, which originally served as an auxiliary mathematical construction ensuring aperiodicity, are utilized here as the generator for a completely new concept of the grid’s bottom layer. Variants V1–V3 were compared with Ammann A4 and Unibat reference configurations using geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis under common loading, material, and member-section assumptions. Axial forces, resultant bending moments, and vertical displacements were evaluated across the configurations and their constituent subsystems. All lower-subsystem members in V1–V3 carried tensile axial forces. V1 exhibited the most uniform lower-subsystem force distribution, with a coefficient of variation of 4.0%, and the lowest peak axial-force magnitude and resultant bending moment among the proposed variants, at 324.68 kN and 72.57 kNm, respectively. V2 developed the highest corresponding peaks, at 448.32 kN and 129.12 kNm. V3 achieved the smallest maximum downward displacement among the proposed variants, at 18.60 cm, compared with 30.70 cm for V1 and 24.70 cm for V2. Unibat exhibited substantially smaller bending moments and displacements but required greater total member length and used a different support arrangement. The findings demonstrate that Ammann-line-based lower subsystems can develop continuous tensile paths, while revealing trade-offs between force uniformity, local demand, and deformation. The comparison characterises relative structural response rather than establishing code compliance or a universally preferable configuration.

Adaptive façade systems are increasingly used to mitigate glare in daylit spaces and improve visual comfort while supporting sustainable daylight utilisation and reduced reliance on electric lighting in buildings. However, their performance is often evaluated using illuminance-based metrics or uncalibrated simulations, limiting the reliability of glare assessment. This study proposes a calibrated experimental–simulation framework for evaluating glare reduction achieved by a kinetic horizontal shading system (KSS) under real daylight conditions. The approach integrates reduced-scale physical measurements with Radiance-based simulations using a digitally reconstructed twin of the experimental setup. Two geometrically identical test chambers positioned side-by-side—a static reference chamber and a kinetic chamber equipped with six adaptive fins (0.63 m real-scale depth)—were investigated using a 1:20 scale mock-up. Internal illuminance measurements were normalised between chambers, and a sky-scaling procedure was applied to calibrate simulated sky luminance distributions against measured data on an hourly basis, enabling photometrically validated HDR renderings for glare evaluation. Glare performance was analysed for three representative clear-sky days during periods of maximum solar exposure (11:00–17:00) under late-summer conditions at approximately 51° N latitude in Wrocław, Poland. Visual comfort was assessed using Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), Daylight Glare Index (DGI), and veiling luminance (L_veil). The kinetic shading system reduced mean DGP from 0.57 to 0.35 (−38%) and peak glare values by nearly half compared with the static configuration, while veiling luminance decreased by 73%, indicating substantial improvement in physiological visual comfort. These results demonstrate that adaptive fin movement effectively suppresses both perceptual and physiological glare during critical daylight hours. The proposed calibrated experimental–simulation workflow provides a robust and transferable methodology for evaluating the glare performance of adaptive façade systems and supports sustainable daylight management by enabling high daylight availability while maintaining acceptable glare levels in buildings.

Adaptive façade systems are increasingly used to mitigate glare in daylit spaces; however, their performance is often evaluated using illuminance-based metrics or uncalibrated simulations, limiting the reliability of visual comfort assessment. This study proposes a calibrated experimental–simulation framework for assessing glare reduction achieved by a kinetic horizontal shading system (KSS )under real daylight conditions. The approach integrates reduced-scale physical measurements with Radiance-based simulations using a digitally reconstructed twin of the experimental setup. Two geometrically identical test chambers positioned side-by-side —a static reference chamber and a kinetic chamber equipped with six 0.63 m-deep adaptive fins—were investigated using a 1:20 scale mock-up. Internal illuminance measurements were normalised between chambers, and a sky-scaling procedure was applied to calibrate simulated sky luminance distributions against measured data on an hourly basis. This enabled the use of photometrically validated HDR renderings for glare evaluation. Glare performance was analysed for three representative clear-sky days during periods of maximum solar exposure (11:00–17:00). Visual comfort was assessed using Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), Daylight Glare Index (DGI), and veiling luminance (Lveil). The KSS reduced mean DGP from 0.57 to 0.35 (−38%) and peak glare values by nearly half compared to the static configuration. Veiling luminance was reduced by 73%, confirming a substantial physiological improvement in visual comfort. These results demonstrate that adaptive fin movement effectively suppresses both perceptual and physiological glare during critical daylight hours. The proposed calibrated experimental–simulation workflow offers a robust and transferable methodology for evaluating glare performance of adaptive façade systems under real-world daylight conditions.

This study investigates peak daylight exposure in zenithally lit museum rooms at 51° latitude through an experimental campaign using a 1:20 physical mock-up of a 12 × 12 × 6 m exhibition gallery space. Nine configurations of shading and light-transmitting elements (CSaLTE) were tested under real clear-sky conditions between June and October. To ensure a valid comparative analysis, indoor vertical illuminance (E_v) was measured at 15 min intervals and subsequently interpolated and normalised to a unified equinox-day solar geometry (06:00–18:00). This hybrid empirical-computational methodology allows for a direct performance comparison across different geometric arrangements regardless of their specific measurement dates. The results demonstrate that while traditional annual metrics are the standard, short-term illuminance peaks pose a severe and underexplored threat to conservation safety. Even the most light-attenuating diffusing-roof configurations produced short-term illuminance peaks and cumulative clear-sky exposures that are comparable in magnitude to commonly cited annual limits for highly light-sensitive materials, with several configurations recording extreme spikes surpassing the sensor’s 20,000 lx saturation limit. Stable, low-illuminance distributions were observed only in selected diffusing-roof arrangements (M05–M07), whereas direct-glazing systems (M01–M04) produced unsafe exposure patterns with high temporal variability and poor visual adaptation conditions. The study concludes that passive roof geometries alone are insufficient to ensure conservation-level safety without additional active filtering or adaptive control strategies, providing an experimentally grounded framework for designing zenithal daylighting systems in museum environments. The results are intended for relative peak-risk comparison under controlled clear-sky conditions rather than direct generalisation to whole-room annual conservation safety.

Artykuł omawia metodę przygotowania zbioru zdjęć elewacji budynków na potrzeby ankiety internetowej. Ankieta jest częścią badania dotyczącego pomiaru preferencji estetycznej szerokiej grupy respondentów w odniesieniu do obiektów architektury. Analiza potencjalnych wyników odbywać się będzie przy wykorzystaniu narzędzi statystycznych, w tym uczenia maszynowego. Celem artykułu jest zarysowanie kontekstu tego rodzaju badań oraz przedstawienie metody przygotowania zbioru fotografii. W pracy wykorzystano program Adobe Photoshop, przeprowadzono także analizę wymiarów i proporcji elewacji. W rezultacie otrzymano zbiór liczący 307 zdjęć, które zostały użyte w badaniu ankietowym.

This study investigates the effectiveness of sloped horizontal shading fins in enhancing visual comfort, electricity generation, and acoustic attenuation in a south-facing office room in Wrocław, Poland (51° latitude). A simulation-based approach combined Radiance daylight simulations, PV energy modeling, and graphical acoustic analysis. Four fin configurations were tested to identify the optimal design. The results indicate that Variant 3, featuring two 1 m wide fins inclined at 45°, achieved the best overall performance, increasing UDI_{300–3000/168} from 53.1% to 95.8%, reducing DGP from 50% to 27%, and enabling an estimated annual electricity production of 4.67 MWh. Additionally, applying sound-absorbing material on the shaded side of the fins significantly reduced reflective acoustic wave bounces, significantly reducing façade-exposed noise. This multifunctional solution demonstrates a practical and scalable strategy for improving office environmental quality in temperate climates, contributing to energy efficiency, acoustic comfort, and visual well being.

The growing need to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities has underscored the importance of biomaterials in sustainable architecture and construction. In this systematic review, advancements in bio-composite materials are consolidated and critically evaluated, emphasizing their thermal insulation properties and broader applications in sustainable building practices. Key aspects analyzed included morphology, internal structure, and thermal performance, along with supplementary insights into mechanical properties when available. The review focused on studies published between January and October 2024, sourced from the Scopus database and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. A keyword meta-analysis using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) illustrated keyword co-occurrence trends. Methods for assessing bias included evaluating study design, data collection processes, and potential conflicts of interest, aligned with PRISMA standards. Significant findings revealed bio-composites achieving thermal conductivity values as low as 0.016 W/m·K, surpassing many traditional materials in insulation performance. Data from 48 studies, analysing 50 bio-composite materials, showed that 44% were optimized for thermal insulation and 40% for sub-structural applications. These materials also exhibit biodegradability and recyclability, critical attributes for sustainable construction. However, challenges such as scalability and durability remain as the key barriers to widespread adoption. In this review, the viability of bio-composites as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials is highlighted and research priorities are identified, particularly in scaling production technologies and enhancing durability testing methods, to advance their application in sustainable building practices.

The increasing urgency to reduce the environmental impact of human activities has underscored the critical role of bio-materials in sustainable architecture and construction. This systematic review consolidates and critically analyzes recent advancements in bio-composite materials, focusing on their thermal insulation capabilities and broader applications within the built environment. Data from studies published since the start of 2024 were meticulously selected using stringent inclusion criteria guided by the PRISMA protocol. A meta-analysis conducted via VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) illustrates keyword co-occurrence in titles and abstracts, highlighting emerging trends in bio-composite research. This review compiles and categorizes information on 50 bio-composite materials with confirmed properties of biodegradability or recyclability, systematically assessing their morphology, internal structure, and thermal characteristics, which are central to their insulation performance. While the primary focus of this review is on the thermal insulation properties of bio-composite materials, the mechanical properties are also included as supplementary data, reflecting the incidental availability of this information in the reviewed studies. The findings emphasize that thermal insulation applications dominate the usage of these materials (44%), followed by sub-structural roles (40%). A comparative analysis highlights the significant bio-composite thermal conductivity (λ) advancements, po-sitioning them as viable alternatives for standard building materials. A detailed matrix is presented to showcase the roles of polymer and ceramic matrices, further contextualizing their potential in construction, particularly for insulation applications. The study identifies critical challenges, such as scalability and du-rability. It proposes future research directions to enhance bio-materials integration in sustainable building practices, prioritising advancing technologies.

This study employs both simulation and experimental methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of bi-sectional horizontal kinetic shading systems (KSS) with horizontal fins in enhancing daylight comfort across various climates. It emphasizes the importance of optimizing daylight levels while minimizing solar heat gain, particularly in the context of increasing energy demands and shifting climatic patterns. The study introduces a custom-designed bi-sectional KSS, simulated in three distinct climates—Wroclaw, Tehran, and Bangkok—using climate-based daylight modeling methods with the Ladybug and Honeybee tools in Rhino v.7 software. Standard daylight metrics, such as Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) and Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), were employed alongside custom metrics tailored to capture the unique dynamics of the bi-sectional KSS. The results were statistically analyzed using box plots and histograms, revealing UDI_300–3000 medians of 78.51%, 88.96%, and 86.22% for Wroclaw, Tehran, and Bangkok, respectively. These findings demonstrate the KSS’s effectiveness in providing optimal daylight conditions across diverse climatic regions. Annual simulations based on standardized weather data showed that the KSS improved visual comfort by 61.04%, 148.60%, and 88.55%, respectively, compared to a scenario without any shading, and by 31.96%, 54.69%, and 37.05%, respectively, compared to a scenario with open static horizontal fins. The inclusion of KSS switching schedules, often overlooked in similar research, enhances the reproducibility and clarity of the findings. A physical reduced-scale mock-up of the bi-sectional KSS was then tested under real-weather conditions in Wroclaw (latitude 51° N) during June–July 2024. The mock-up consisted of two Chambers ‘1’ and ‘2’ equipped with the bi-sectional KSS prototype, and the other one without shading. Stepper motors managed the fins’ operation via a Python script on a Raspberry Pi 3 minicomputer. The control Chamber ‘1’ provided a baseline for comparing the KSS’s efficiency. Experimental results supported the simulations, demonstrating the KSS’s robustness in reducing high illuminance levels, with illuminance below 3000 lx maintained for 68% of the time during the experiment (conducted from 1 to 4 PM on three analysis days). While UDI and DA calculations were not feasible due to the limited number of sensors, the E_h1 values enabled the evaluation of the time illuminance to remain below the threshold. However, during the June–July 2024 heat waves, illuminance levels briefly exceeded the comfort threshold, reaching 4674 lx. Quantitative and qualitative analyses advocate for the broader application and further development of KSS as a climate-responsive shading system in various architectural contexts.

This study uses simulation and experimental methodologies to explore the efficacy of bi-sectional horizontal kinetic shading systems (KSS) featuring horizontal fins in enhancing daylight comfort across various climates. Given the increasing energy demands and shifting climatic patterns, optimizing daylight levels while minimizing solar heat gain is vital. The paper introduces a bespoke horizontal bi-sectional KSS, simulated in three distinct climates—Wroclaw, Tehran, and Bangkok—using Climate Based Daylight Modelling methods with Ladybug and Honeybee tools in Rhino software. The study employs standard daylight metrics such as Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) and Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), along with custom metrics designed to capture the specific dynamics of the bi-sectional KSS. Initial simulations indicated that the KSS significantly improved daylight distribution and uniformity, reducing glare and over-illumination risks by av. 42.34%. Including KSS switching schedules, which are seldom detailed in similar research, enhances the reproducibility and understanding of findings. Subsequently, a physical reduced-scale mock-up of the bi-sectional KSS was tested under real-weather conditions in Wroclaw (lat. 51° N) during June-July 2024. The mock-up utilized two chambers: one equipped with the prototype of bi-sectional KSS and the second without any protection. The operation of fins was guided by two stepper motors controlled by a Python script running on a Raspberry Pi 3 minicomputer. The control chamber served to benchmark the bi-sectional KSS's efficiency by providing results that would be expected if no shading system were installed. The experimental outcomes supported the simulations, demonstrating the KSS's robustness in reducing high illuminance levels to the target comfort level, thus enhancing indoor visual comfort. The values below 3,000 lux were maintained for 68% of the time. However, it must be explicitly stated that during the June-July 2024 heat waves, the illuminance levels inside the test room momentarily exceeded the comfort threshold of 3,000 lux, reaching up to 4,674 lux. Through quantitative and qualitative analyses, the paper advocates for the broader application and further development of KSS as a climate-responsive shading system in diverse architectural contexts.