CHANGE OF FACADE PATTERN AND FACADE MATERIAL FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE CLIMATIC CONTEXT OF DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Abstract

The research focuses the importance of energy efficient
buildings in the climatic context of Dhaka to reduce the
electricity consumption through decreased use of air
conditioning units in commercial buildings. The focus
has been facilitated by the fact that change of building
façade materials and façade patterns can have a
significant contribution in reducing the cooling demand
of a building. And the fact has been represented in the
research through a comparison on the basis of annual
electricity consumption and annual cooling load demand
of four building orientations, likely- a typical concrete
façade, a single glass façade and a totally new concept of
building façade in Bangladesh named as ‘Double Glass
Façade’ including its two ventilation techniques as well
as relevant theories. As, the trend for glass buildings in
Dhaka city is growing day-by-day, the need for
electricity and cooling requirements are also in an
increase. The research shows that only shifting from
single façade to double façade, 37% of the cooling load
of a twelve storied building may reduce whereas 47% of
electricity consumption reduces while using double
façade compared to a typical concrete façade.