Climate-Adaptive Building Envelopes in Sustainable Architecture: A Responsive Strategy for Addressing Climate Change

In response to the escalating impacts of climate change and the increasing demand for energy-efficient design, the role of building envelopes has evolved from static barriers to dynamic systems capable of interacting with their environment. This study explores the concept and application of Climate-Adaptive Building Envelopes (CABEs) as an innovative strategy within sustainable architecture. The objective is to examine the typologies, technologies, and performance parameters of CABEs and to evaluate their potential in reducing energy consumption while enhancing occupant comfort across different climate zones. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a literature review, expert interviews, field observations, comparative case study analysis, and simulation-based performance modeling. Case studies from Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, and Amsterdam were analyzed alongside field observations in three climate regions in Iran. Digital simulations using Rhino, Grasshopper, and Energy Plus assessed the energy and environmental performance of adaptive versus static façades under hot-arid, humid, and temperate conditions. The results demonstrated measurable reductions in energy demand, improved thermal comfort, and optimized daylighting in buildings equipped with CABEs. Expert insights highlighted both the opportunities and challenges related to the adoption of these systems in developing contexts. This research contributes to the understanding of responsive architecture and proposes a design framework aimed at supporting architects and planners in implementing CABEs as a climate-resilient design strategy.

Keywords:

Climate-Adaptive Building Envelopes , Responsive Architecture , Sustainable Design , Energy Efficiency , Environmental Simulation