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The Influence of Building Envelope Design on Indoor Comfort

Abstract

The building envelope serves as an important interface between indoor and outdoor environments and plays a major role in determining the quality of indoor environmental conditions. Its components, including walls, roofs, windows, doors, and shading elements, regulate the transfer of heat, air, moisture, and daylight between the building and its surroundings. Effective envelope design can therefore improve indoor comfort, reduce unwanted heat gain, and contribute to lower dependence on mechanical cooling and other energy-intensive systems. This study examines the influence of building envelope design on indoor comfort, focusing on how envelope characteristics affect the thermal, visual, and environmental conditions experienced by building occupants. Factors considered include wall and roof construction, insulation, window-to-wall ratio, glazing properties, shading devices, surface materials, air tightness, and envelope orientation. The study also considers how these characteristics interact with local climatic conditions and building occupancy patterns. The thermal performance of the building envelope is a major consideration in achieving indoor comfort. Appropriate wall and roof materials, insulation levels, shading strategies, and window configurations can reduce excessive solar heat gain and regulate heat transfer through the building envelope. Building orientation and the placement of openings can also influence solar exposure and natural ventilation, thereby affecting indoor temperature and occupant comfort. The envelope also influences visual and indoor environmental quality through its relationship with daylight and ventilation. Well-positioned windows can provide adequate natural lighting while limiting glare and excessive solar radiation. Operable openings can support natural ventilation and improve indoor air movement when climatic conditions are suitable. However, excessive glazing, poorly positioned openings, or inadequate shading may increase heat gain, glare, and discomfort. The effectiveness of envelope design may be affected by factors such as material availability, construction quality, maintenance requirements, climatic conditions, building orientation, and economic considerations. Inappropriate material selection or poor detailing can reduce the intended performance of envelope components and increase indoor discomfort. Addressing these challenges requires integrated envelope design that considers thermal performance, daylighting, ventilation, durability, and the specific environmental conditions of the building location. The study aims to assess how building envelope design influences indoor comfort and identify envelope characteristics that contribute to improved occupant environmental conditions. The findings are expected to assist architects, engineers, developers, and building professionals in making informed decisions concerning materials, openings, shading, insulation, and envelope configuration. Ultimately, the study seeks to promote building envelopes that enhance thermal comfort, visual comfort, natural ventilation, energy efficiency, and overall indoor environmental quality.

Keywords: Building envelope, indoor comfort, thermal comfort, envelope design, solar heat gain, natural ventilation, daylighting, building insulation, glazing, shading devices, wall materials, roof design, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency.