Adaptability and thermal well-being with dynamic screens: Buildings also change their wardrobe

Buildings, like humans, should adapt their "wardrobe"to changing external conditions in order to enhance thermal well-being and reduce energy consumption. This study presents an innovative device: a dynamic screen that merges traditional and cutting-edge avant-garde design strategies, enabling building envelopes to respond adaptively to varying external environments. This screen not only offers multiple functions such as privacy control, glare prevention, light diffusion, and solar shading, but also features two layers of white, reflecting fabric filled with synthetic, translucent, and fire-resistant batting, acting as insulation. Its composition improves the thermal environment while permitting natural light access during winter and reduces direct solar radiation by up to 50% in summer. Its design allows for seamless installation, removal, and adjustment. This study evaluates the dynamic screen's performance by measuring light transmittance, light spectrum, luminance distribution, and radiant temperature effects. Results show that the dynamic screen significantly improves thermal comfort and reduces glare, while maintaining a balanced distribution of natural illumination. Therefore, they optimize the thermal performance, reduce artificial heating needs, and lower energy demand, enhancing the well-being of users and the environmental sustainability of buildings. In conclusion, dynamic screens offer a low-cost, easy-to-implement solution to improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency in existing buildings, enhancing their adaptability to varying climatic conditions and offering an effortless and cost-effective retrofitting alternative.