Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Kinetic Facade System Proposal for Thermal Daylight and Energy Performances

Abstract

Efficient utilization of daylight and energy resources significantly influences the quality of indoor spaces user comfort and overall efficiency. This study presents a folding facade proposal through the design alternatives offered by kinetic architecture and parametric design to enhance efficiency. This alternative design method integrates and coordinates the design components simultaneously and makes any intervention easier when compared with traditional design methods. In this context the method is based on computational models aiming to find the most efficient design alternative by optimization. The proposed facade design specifically targets an indoor office space within a university. The modular system integrated into existing windows facilitates a folding movement. This dynamic feature aims to optimize illumination within the space effectively controlling daylight without causing disruptions to users. Simultaneously the design seeks to balance energy consumption and ensure thermal comfort. The results show that it provides a significant improvement over the base case. The proposed kinetic façade system improved indoor thermal comfort by 80.68-98.11% while slightly increasing energy use (4.72% at most). The average improvement in Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) is 34.98%. Although the number of solutions meeting LEED in terms of Annual Solar Exposure (ASE) is small there is an average improvement of up to 64% compared to the base case. In conclusion the proposed kinetic facade system proves to be a valuable intervention for enhancing the indoor environment of an office space at Dokuz Eylül University. © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.