Solutions For Improving Façade Performance in The Unique Climate of Sri Lanka by Eng. K.L.S. SAHABANDU

Solutions for Improving Façade
Performance in the Unique Climate

of Sri Lanka
Eng. K L S Sahabandu
BSc. Eng. (Hons), PG Dip. (Hyd), MSc. (Struct.), CEng,
MICE (London), MIE (SL), M Cons. E (SL), MSSE (SL)
General Manager
Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB)
Contents
• Introduction
• Sri Lankan Climate
• Climate Responsive Facade Design Approach
• Building Facades of Sri Lanka

Vernacular Building Facade
Contemporary Building Façade
Futuristic Approach
• Concluding Remarks
04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 2

Introduction
Building Facades—Why Important
Building envelope or facade remains
one of the most important exterior
Functions of facade elements for building functionality.
While the facade is an elegant
component that helps to define the
1. Aesthetics unique architectural aesthetics of the
building.
2. Weather barrier
Facades provide two key functions:
3. Light and energy  Weather barrier against the
transmitter environmental factors for air
 Water infiltration and light
4. Influence energy transmittance to the interior space.
Performance and
Interior function. It also has the critical role related to
energy performance and interior
function of a building.
Introduction…
In recent years, facing the risk of global warming, depletion of fossil
fuels and green house emissions, reduction in energy consumption
along with sustainable development has become a priority for many
countries including Sri Lanka.
World wide, building sector consumes 1/3 of total energy consumption.

Thus reducing energy consumption in buildings through climate
responsive strategies without compromising human comfort is
essential.
Thus improving facade performance will directly lead to energy

efficiency of buildings.
As facade is directly linked to Climate responsiveness it is appropriate

to consider climatic situation of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Climate
Sri Lanka is an island lying between 6 - 10 of north
latitude and between 80 - 82 of east longitude
located in the Indian Ocean, sprawling over an area
of 65,525 Sq. km.
Sri Lanka can be divided in to following climatic

zones:
• Wet zone
• Intermediate zone
• Dry zone
• Arid Zone
According to its topography Sri Lanka can be divided

in to 3 main areas:
• Central highland
• Plains
• Coastal belt
The topographical features strongly affect the spatial

patterns of winds, seasonal rainfall, temperature,
relative humidity and other climatic elements,
particularly during the monsoon season.
Sri Lankan Climate…
Temperature
The mountains affect the annual average
temperature too, because at high altitude
conditions are generally cooler, with greater Temperature and humidity
seasonal differentials, than the steamy constant are two of the main
elements that need good
year-round highs experienced on the coast. performance from building
The north of the island is the hottest region, where facade which determines
human comfort
temperatures have been known to peak at 40°C
(104°F), while in the mountains the town of
Nuwara Eliva, lying at 1889m (6197ft), has an
annual average temperature of 16°C (60.8°F).
Relative Humidity
Humidity levels in Sri Lanka typically range between 60% to 90% and
are generally higher in the south-west and central highlands.
Rainfall
Governed by its tropical
location as well as by the
monsoonal regime.
Four Seasons: North east

monsoon, south-west
monsoon, and 2 intermission
sessions from March to April
and October to November.
The mean annual rainfall

varies from under 900 mm in
the driest parts to over
5000mm in the wettest parts.
Rainfall coupled with high
wind conditions demands
Typical scenario in Colombo that the rfaçade be
watertight

Features to Considered in Facade Designs
 High temperatures
 High relative humidity
 High rainfall coupled with High Wind Conditions
Common in most parts of the island and most time of the year.

Climate Responsive Facade Design
Through a multipronged approach involving adoption of
1. Bioclimatic architectural principles responsive to the climate of

the particular location such as sun path and wind flow pattern;
2. Sustainable façade materials;
3. Efficient structural design;
4. Energy-efficient building facade systems; and
5. Renewable energy sources to power the building.

Climate Responsive Facade Design…
1. Bioclimatic Architectural Principles: Sun path
The intensity of solar radiation depends on the direction of sun rays.
The temperature of a structure and living spaces increases due to

solar radiation and affects internal environment of the building.
Proper orientation considering sun path provides natural ventilation

and light which is beneficial to the building inhabitants.
1. Bioclimatic Architectural Principles: Sun path…
The solar access of a particular site can

be investigated using
• A computer model of the site and
neighborhood
• A sun path diagram
Properly oriented buildings take

advantage of solar radiation and
prevailing wind.
The longer axis of the building should lie

along east-west direction for minimum
solar heat gain by the building
envelope. The sun path diagram

1. Bioclimatic Architectural Principles: Heat Transmission

Three methods of heat transmission through
a facade.
1. Radiation: when heat is transferred

through electromagnetic waves, such as
from the sun. Radiation can transfer heat
through empty space, while the other two
methods require some form of matter-on-
matter contact for the transfer.
2. Convection: when heat flows through a
heated solid
3. Conduction: when heated particles
transfer heat to another substance, such
as cooking something in boiling water
1. Bioclimatic Architectural Principles: Wind Flow Pattern
The natural ventilation strategy will

depend on the amount of wind
flow at the site.
Some sheltered sites may have to

depend on temperature-driven
ventilation as wind speeds may be
too low.
Other exposed sites may have wind

speeds too high for simple windows
that can be opened and may A wind rose is a visual representation of the wind
conditions at a site generated from historical data.
require an engineered solution.

1. Bioclimatic Architectural Principles: Wind Flow Pattern
Information from the wind rose is then used to find the best orientation
for the building to maximize wind-driven ventilation

2. Sustainable Façade Materials
Conventional Material
Conventional material such as Wood,
brick and stone are considered as most
sustainable facade material.
Traditional Brick Wall
Stainless steel
When compared stainless steel is
consistently one of the most
environmentally friendly
materials used today.
Stainless steel façade of Q1 Building - Germany

2. Sustainable Façade Materials…

Glass
Glass is recyclable, nontoxic and tough to break.

When building glass does break, it is easy to replace.

3. Efficient Structural Design

• The façade is the primary moderator of the environment, making
building resistant for adverse forces such as wind, rain, flood and
sunlight.
• It also should protect the occupants form external forces such as

blast, fire, chemicals, noise, vibration, smoke , theft, dirt
accumulation, wear and tear etc.,
• On the other side, façades may account for up to 25% of total

construction cost and are the largest single determinant of building
performance.
• Thus designing the façade to withstand all the external forces

through proper structural design is very essential.
• Detailed structural design of the façade is needed to cater for the

challenging designs of modern facades too.
4. Energy-efficient Building Façade Systems
Shading Devices
• Day light enhancing shades
a. Protect windows from solar gain
b. Preserve sky view
c. Reflect day light and reduce glare
• An internal shading layer behind the window or an

in between shading layer separating two glazing
panes can reduce heat gain,
Horizontal shades – protect facade from high sun
Vertical shades – protect façade from low sun.
• Moveable shading devices can provide more

flexible and responsive solar control.
Vertical Louver facades which move
with sun path
4. Energy-efficient Building Façade Systems…
Modern Shading Devices
New Acton Nishi, Canberra , Australia

• Over hangs or canopies
Over hangs and canopies are used to shade
windows. They are designed considering angle of
sun during a particular day.
• Louvers
Louvers can be tightly spaced near
buildings to shade the high sun and loosely
spaced further away to reduce heat
transfer from it to the interior space.
Glazing…..

Glazing…...

Glazing…
• Spaces with Low cooling loads – Glazing with Low solar gain
coefficient and reflective outer surface.
– Thermo chromic glass – reflect light when heated

– Electro chromic glass – change colour
– Prismatic glass – optimize daylight
• Spaces with Heating loads – Glazing with Higher SGC.
• It may be necessary to vary the glazing visual transmittance, depending

on the window orientation, space lighting conditions, and occupant
lighting needs.

5. Renewable energy sources to power the building

Building Facades of Sri Lanka
Vernacular
Why Important?
 Learning from traditional wisdom of previous generations through the
lessons from traditional buildings can be a very powerful tool for
improving the building facades of the future.
 It is a generally held view that, in tropical countries, traditional house is

more sympathetic to the prevailing climate and provide comfortable
interiors
 In Sri Lankan Vernacular Architecture following features were always at
the forefront due to:
 High comfort for building occupant

 Good indoor air quality
 Low energy consumption

Vernacular
Salient Features
1. Thick Solid masonry walls –Provide High thermal mass and

low thermal conductivity
2. Long Eaves & Balconies – Protect façades (i.e. walls and

fenestrations)
3. Verandahs and colonnades - Serves as shading to facades
4. Courtyards - use natural ventilation to make living more

comfortable when it is hot
5. Canopies and Grill Works - Protecting windows

Vernacular
Typical Examples
Long Eaves
Verandahs
Thick Masonry Walls
Long Eaves
Verandahs and Balconies
Thick Masonry Walls

Vernacular
Typical Examples
Long Eaves
Verandahs
Thick Masonry Walls
Grill Works
Verandahs and Colonnades

Thick Masonry Walls

Contemporary
Typical Examples---Mahaweli Building at Darley Road
Possesses a particular adaptation to

climate and orientation not present in
most tower buildings, evidencing the
ecological sensitivity characteristic of
Bawa's practice.
The flattened lozenge shaped of the

building maximizes the northern and
southern exposures while limiting
western and eastern exposures. This
orientation both reduces solar gain and
takes advantage of the prevailing air
currents to provide passive ventilation.
Contemporary
Typical Examples---Mahaweli Building at Darley Road…Cont.
Deep concrete spandrels provide

additional shading and regulate air-intake
through louvers below the vision-glass of
the windows. The windows are operable
on all floors of the tower, pivoting around
their central axes to allow building
occupants to regulate cross-ventilation.
.

Contemporary
Typical Examples---Ceylon Intercontinental Hotel….

Contemporary
Typical Examples---Ceylon Intercontinental Hotel….
Concrete sunshades fixed on top as well as one side of the window

depending on the sun path.
Contemporary
Typical Examples---National Archives Building
Salient Façade Features
• Colonnade at Ground Level
• Vertical concrete pergolas at

upper floor levels to shade
glazed windows

Contemporary
Typical Examples---Library Services Building
Salient Façade Features
• Staggered Floors & Long

Eaves as shading technique
• Monkey roof for stack effect

Contemporary
Typical Examples---Central Bank New Building
Salient Features of the Façade
• Precast concrete sunshades
• Stainless steel louvers
• Stainless steel catwalk
• Double glazed windows
• Tile finished precast concrete façade walls

Contemporary
Typical Examples---Central Bank New Building…..
 Precast concrete sunshades

 Stainless steel louvers
 Double glazed windows
 Stainless steel catwalk
 Tile finished precast concrete
façade walls
Contemporary
Typical Examples---CECB New Building at Bauddhaloka Mawatha

Contemporary
Typical Examples---CECB New Building at Bauddhaloka Mawatha
This double skin façade consists of
• Sun shading balconies and louvers

protecting inner façade.
• Low-e and double glazed window

and curtain wall system
• Masonry wall constructed with clay

brick (To achieve low conductivity)

Contemporary
Typical Examples---CECB New Building at Bauddhaloka Mawatha….
Shading and high performance glazing

High performance glazing and shading balconies and louvers were used for
Building Envelope to maximize the utilization of visible light while limiting
Infrared Radiation to the building. Minimum daylight illumination level of 25
foot candles has been achievedEng.
04/10/2014
in K.L.S.
75% of all regularly occupied areas. 40
Sahabandu
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques–Precast Concrete - Decorative Panels

Futuristic Approach

Futuristic Approach

Futuristic Approach

Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques–Precast Concrete-Decorative Finishes
Exposed
Recess
Aggregate
Finish
Finish
Terrazzo
04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu
Finish 45
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques–Glass Curtain Wall Systems
Spider Glass Fin System
 Main glass façade is suspended.

 Lateral support is provided by tempered glass fins.
 Glass panels are connected to glass fins by spiders.
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques–Glass Curtain Wall Systems
Spider Cable Structure System
Cable trusses in both vertical and horizontal

directions can be formed to provide
restriction against lateral movement.
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Glazing Selection
Low-e coatings also

can be specified to
shade a higher fraction
of the heat carrying
infrared radiation, while
permitting more visible
light to pass through.

Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Glazing

Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Glazing
Glazing Selection
Select insulated low-e glazing
units to reduce thermal loads and
provide better comfort to
perimeter zones.
Low emissivity coatings and

argon between panes can
dramatically increase thermal
performance.
Low-e coatings also can be

specified to shade a higher
fraction of the heat carrying
infrared radiation, while permitting
more visible light to pass through.
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Double Skin Facades & Ventilation
• Double Skin Façade (DSF) materials can be selected to reflect solar
heat gain and avoid transmitting heat to the inner layer.
Performances of the system can be enhanced by ventilation of the
void (air flow) as shown.
Air Flow Concepts of DSFs
Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu

04/10/2014 51
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Double Skin Facades & Glazing
Shanghai Centre Tower, China
 Double curtain wall for energy savings

 Atrium for more natural lighting and architectural
attraction
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Double Skin Facades with Movable Louvers
Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Dynamic Facades
External Automated Shading System
Al Bahar
Towers,
Abu Dhabi,
UAE

Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Dynamic Facades
External Automated Shading System
Singapore – Esplanade Theatre
Elaborate Skin inspired by the Durian Fruit. The external shading system is
also responsive in that the triangular louvers adjust during the day to the
suns angle and position.
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Green Facades
Living Wall Systems
• The use of vertical greening has an

important impact on the thermal
performance of buildings.
• Plants are functioning as a solar filter or sun

screens and help to prevent absorption of
heat radiation by building façade materials
04/10/2014 extensively.
Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 56
Futuristic Approach
Possible Techniques– Advanced Window Systems
See-through Photovoltaic Glazing
Main Features
 Consists of semi-transparent solar
cells on glazing
Advantages
 Energy saving through electricity
generation together with reduction
of air-conditioning and artificial
lighting
Disadvantages
 High investment cost
Futuristic Approach
Use Renewable Energy Sources to Power the Building
Federation of Korean Industries

Adrian Smith and Gordon Architects(AS+GG)
KFW Office Building Germany
Designed the 240 meter high-rise with a Sauerbruch Hutton Architects
self-regulating external skin that not only Eco Factor : Computerized innovative
collects energy through photovoltaic façade lets fresh air to reduce energy
panels, but also reduces internal heating consumption.
and cooling loads.
Futuristic Approach
Water-flow Window with Enclosed Loop
Advantages
 Solar energy transmission

through glazing is reduced
and so building cooling load
is lowered.
 Quality of daylight is
enhanced since water
affects very little visible light
spectrum.
 Useful heat gain for hot

water supply.
Concluding Remarks
• Building facade remains one of the most important exterior
elements for building functionality and is directly linked to climate
responsiveness.
• In the Sri Lankan context, high temperatures, high relative

humidity, high rainfall coupled with high wind conditions are the
salient climatic features which need to be considered in the façade
design.
• In particular, rainfall coupled with high wind conditions of Sri

Lanka demands that the façade be watertight
• Climate responsive façade design is effected through a

multipronged approach involving adoption of bioclimatic
architectural principles, sustainable façade materials, efficient
structural design, energy-efficient building facade systems; and
renewable energy sources to power the building.
Concluding Remarks…
• Thick Solid masonry walls, Long Eaves & Balconies, Verandahs
and colonnades, Courtyards, Canopies and Grills have been the
salient features of Vernacular building façades in Sri Lanka
• Precast concrete sunshades, Stainless steel louvers, Stainless

steel catwalk, Double glazed windows, Tile finished precast
concrete façade walls have become features of contemporary
building facades
• Decorative precast concrete panel, double skin glazing systems,

dynamic, green and advanced window systems with see-through
photovoltaic glazing, water-flow window with enclosed loop have
been identified as prospective futuristic approaches for building
façades.

THANK YOU

Solutions For Improving Façade Performance in The Unique Climate of Sri Lanka by Eng. K.L.S. SAHABANDU

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Solutions for Improving Façade

Performance in the Unique Climate

• Sri Lankan Climate

• Climate Responsive Facade Design Approach

• Building Facades of Sri Lanka

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 2

World wide, building sector consumes 1/3 of total energy consumption.

Thus improving facade performance will directly lead to energy

As facade is directly linked to Climate responsiveness it is appropriate

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 4

Sri Lanka can be divided in to following climatic

According to its topography Sri Lanka can be divided

The topographical features strongly affect the spatial

Four Seasons: North east

The mean annual rainfall

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 8

 High relative humidity

 High rainfall coupled with High Wind Conditions

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 9

1. Bioclimatic architectural principles responsive to the climate of

2. Sustainable façade materials;

3. Efficient structural design;

4. Energy-efficient building facade systems; and

5. Renewable energy sources to power the building.

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 10

The intensity of solar radiation depends on the direction of sun rays.

The temperature of a structure and living spaces increases due to

Proper orientation considering sun path provides natural ventilation

The solar access of a particular site can

Properly oriented buildings take

The longer axis of the building should lie

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 12

1. Bioclimatic Architectural Principles: Heat Transmission

1. Radiation: when heat is transferred

The natural ventilation strategy will

Some sheltered sites may have to

Other exposed sites may have wind

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 14

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 15

2. Sustainable Façade Materials

Traditional Brick Wall

Stainless steel façade of Q1 Building - Germany

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 16

2. Sustainable Façade Materials…

Glass is recyclable, nontoxic and tough to break.

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 17

3. Efficient Structural Design

• It also should protect the occupants form external forces such as

• On the other side, façades may account for up to 25% of total

• Thus designing the façade to withstand all the external forces

• Detailed structural design of the façade is needed to cater for the

• An internal shading layer behind the window or an

• Moveable shading devices can provide more

Modern Shading Devices

New Acton Nishi, Canberra , Australia

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 20

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 22

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 23

– Thermo chromic glass – reflect light when heated

• Spaces with Heating loads – Glazing with Higher SGC.

• It may be necessary to vary the glazing visual transmittance, depending

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 24

04/10/2014 Eng. K.L.S. Sahabandu 25