A summary of recent advances

Glazing considerations such as window area, elevation and orientation, thermal performance and solar shading to optimize natural daylighting and passive solar heat gain are very important to the envelope performance and energy consumption of buildings [1]. [BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, IBI Group and Henriquez Partners Architects, Photo: Nic Lehoux]

by Hugh Perry

Many of Canada’s commercial buildings were built over 40 years ago when there were few, if any, worries about energy performance and environmental responsibility. In an era of cheap and abundant energy, heating and cooling loads were of little concern; buildings were often clad entirely in glass with no differentiation between facades having different orientations. (more…)

Each 750mm deep louvre is divided vertically into four sections each of which may be operated independently.

by Jim Taggart

Solar control is one of the most critical aspects in the design of green buildings. From a building science perspective, exterior shading systems seem the logical choice as they intercept direct solar radiation before it strikes the building envelope and so effectively control heat gain. (more…)