My first Publication Arup_BuildingDesign2020_v2 | Page 20

LDAC systems can provide meaningful
improvements in indoor air quality, resulting
in improved worker productivity and reduced
mold and mildew remediation costs. Given
that 75% of the world has a humid climate,
affordable, durable liquid desiccants can
potentially have a large-scale impact
on operational energy savings versus
conventional air conditioning technologies.
Location / Business: North Miami Beach, FL.
Advantix for commercial use.
Case Study: Dynamic Shading
Case Study: Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioning
of triangular PTFE panels pre-programmed
to fold open and closed as the sun moves
around the buildings. The geometric screen
calls to mind a futuristic mashrabiya, a
traditional element of Arab architecture
intended to provide both cooling and privacy.
The 1,000 mobile elements of each façade
allow a solar gain reductions 50% over a
comparable structure, saving 1750 tons of
CO2 emissions annually. Sensors integrated
into the façade allow it to close autonomously
to shield the building from winds and
sandstorm activity, and a percentage of the
façades’ own power is derived from roof-
integrated solar cells.
Liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC)
systems pass air through a brine solution,
removing particulates and odors along with
heat and moisture with similar upfront costs
to traditional technologies and a 30-50%
reduction in energy expenditure. The dynamic adaptive façade of the Al Bahar
towers opens and closes in response to solar
movement, dramatically reducing solar gain,
cooling load and carbon emissions.
The twin 29-story Al Bahar towers share a
common lobby area and a unique innovation:
a computer-controlled dynamic curtain wall
Materials in Systems As a growing number of cities establish plans for reduced
and zero carbon schemes, smart and sustainable materials
and systems will come to define the future of building design.
Building technology will become increasingly integrated
into design at the systemic level, driven by advances in data
analysis and automated adaptation functions.
Constructability, adaptability, and flexibility continue to be
the key criteria for sustainable building design. The ability of
buildings to respond to real-time environmental data through
systems designed into both the façade and the interior will
become increasingly important. Innovative mechanical
shading systems relying on high-performing materials will
grow in significance in extreme and temperate climates alike.
Resilient building technology will be essential to
ensuring longer-term relevance of structures under
development today. Drivers for innovation include lower
energy intensity, resource management, and increasingly
sophisticated building management systems.
Pressure for increased building performance, alongside
reduced operational and embodied carbon, will continue to
drive systems innovation and technology adoption trends
at all scales, including lighting, HVAC implementation and
water management.
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Location / Business: Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Aedas / Arup for Abu Dhabi Investment
Council.
2.2 Tools
The tools and technologies that will define building design
in the near future will be characterised by the collective
improvement of building and system performance,
minimisation of waste and environmental impact, and
the presence of increasingly streamlined mechanisms for
collaboration and integration of information across platforms,
disciplines, and projects.
Ideation and process management software developed
for other design-centric industries holds the potential to
meaningfully improve the workflow of future building
projects. Advancements in these related sectors include the
Building Design 2020
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