The document details double skin framing systems, which involve two glass skins creating an air cavity to improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss in winter and minimizing heat gain in summer. It discusses the history, purpose, components, classifications, and applications of double-skin facades, highlighting benefits such as aesthetics, sound protection, and enhanced ventilation. Case studies, including the Commerzbank headquarters in Frankfurt, illustrate practical implementations and benefits in various climates.

1. GROUP MEMBERS
Danish P (L)
Imran
Qais
Simran
Tahelil
Afshan
Omkar
Ubed
Taher A
Danish S
DOUBLE SKIN
FRAMING SYTEM

2. INTRODUCTION- history, definition, purpose and components
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
DEFINITION
o The Double Skin Facade is a system consisting of two glass skins placed in such a way
that air flows in the intermediate cavity. The glass skins can be single or double glazing
units with a distance from 200mm up to 2 meters.
o For protection and heat extraction reasons during the cooling period, solar shading
devices are placed inside the cavity. However, due to the additional skin, a thermal
buffer zone is formed which reduces the heat losses and enables passive solar gains.
HISTORY
o Double-skin facades started to emerge across Europe, Asia and the United States beginning in the 1980’s. Many of the early constructions were
implemented in low-rise buildings, shortly followed by numerous high-rise applications in the early 1990’s.
o Many modern office buildings may have a lower energy use for heating, but on the other hand often have a higher use of electricity than older office
buildings, due to a higher energy use for ventilation, cooling, lighting and office equipment.
PURPOSE
o The purpose of the double skin
facades, has often been to reduce
the high temperatures in the
building behind during the summer
and to lower the heat losses during
winter compared with a glazed
single skin facade.
o Other improvements, which can be
achieved are aesthetics, preheating
of ventilation air, sound protection,
night cooling etc.
APPLICATION
There has been and is a growing interest
among clients to build and among
architects to design office buildings with
glazed double skin facades.
200 mm to 2m
Double skin Façade with Louvers Sun shading Device
COMPONENTS
The following figure shows the
components of a double skin facade.
1. Exterior glazing.
2. Interior glazing.
3. Structural frame.
4. Operable sun shade
5. Sun shade canopy.
6. Upper operable ventilation
7. Maintenance catwalks

3. INTRODUCTION- system
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
The air buffer works as a barrier to heat loss.
Sun-heated air contained in the cavity can
heat spaces outside the glass, reducing the
demand for indoor heating systems.
The cavity can be vented outside the building to mitigate solar gain and decrease the cooling load. Excess heat is
drained through a process known as the chimney effect, where differences in air density create a circular
motion that causes warmer air to escape.

4. CLASSIFICATION
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
CLASSIFICATION OF DOUBLE SKIN FACADE SYSTEMS
There are different types of classification for double skin
facades. Double skin facade has been used for several
envelop function such as optimization of natural lighting
and better ventilation system, and thermal and acoustic
insulation . The classification figure out here is based on
the mode of working of a facade presenting 3 categories
which are independent on another.
1-THE TYPES OF VENTILATION
It is related to the different types of driving forces
ventilation of the cavity between
two glass facades. The ventilation of the cavity can be
natural, fan supported or mechanical . There are three kind
of ventilation in double glass facade:
Natural ventilation
Mechanical ventilation
Hybrid ventilation
Hybrid ventilation includes
both natural and
mechanical ventilation in
which we use mechanical
ventilation when natural
ventilation is not sufficient
or it cannot work properly.
2-THE PARTITIONING OF THE FACADE
The partitioning of the cavity shows that how
the cavity between two glass facade situated is
divided. Ventilated DSF consider as a dynamic
part of the building which use different
strategies to balanced best interior condition
and environmental performance.
1.Juxtaposed Module 2.Corridor Type
3.Shaft box 4.Multi Storey
3-THE VENTILATION MODES OF FACADE
The ventilation mode refers to the origin and the
destination of the air circulating in the ventilated cavity.
The ventilation mode is independent of the type of
ventilation applied.
There are 5 main ventilation modes:-
1.Outdoor Air
Curtain
2.Indoor Air
Curtain
3.Air Supply
4.Air Exhaust 5.Buffer Zone 6.Additional

5. CONCEPT AND WORKING OF DOUBLE SKIN FACADES
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
• THE INNER SKIN CAN BE OF BRICK,
GLASS,ETC.
• THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO SKINS
COULD BE FROM 0.2M TO 2M DEPENDING
ON THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF AIR
INSIDE THE CAVITY. THINNER THE CAVITY,
HIGHER THE AIR TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE
CAVITY.
• THE OUTER SKIN CAN BE OF
GLASS, LOUVERS, ETC.
• INSULATED SURFACE IS
PROVIDED IN HOT REGIONS TO
REFLECT BACK THE HEAT AND
SUNLIGHT.
• DAMPERS ARE PROVIDED TO
CONTROL THE INLET AND OUTLET
OF THE OUTSIDE AIR.
• CAN BE AT THE TOP LEVEL AND
BOTTOM LEVEL OR AT EACH FLOOR
LEVEL AND ARE MECHANICALLY
CONTROLLED.
• FOR THE NATURALLY VENTILATED
DOUBLE FAÇADE SYSTEM, THE AIR
IS BROUGHT INTO THE CAVITY AND
EXHAUSTED BY TWO MEANS: WIND
PRESSURE AND/OR THE STACK
EFFECT.
• THE MECHANICALLY ASSISTED
VENTILATION SYSTEMS USUALLY
USE AN UNDERFLOOR OR
OVERHEAD VENTILATION SYSTEM
TO SUPPLY OR EXHAUST THE
CAVITY AIR TO ENSURE GOOD
DISTRIBUTION OF THE FRESH AIR.
• SOMETIMES OPENINGS ARE PROVIDED AT THE INNER
SKIN TO LET THE AIR INSIDE THE ROOM.
• THE AIR IS EXHAUSTED FROM THE ROOM THROUGH
MECHANICAL SYSTEM.
• DONE SPECIALLY IN COLD REGIONS.
• SHADING DEVICES DUCH AS LOUVRES
AND VENETIAN BLINDS ARE PROVIDED
BETWEEN THE SKIN TO PROTECT FROM
HEAT AND SUNLIGHT.
• CATWALKS ARE PROVIDED FOR
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING OF THE
FACADES.

6. NATURAL LIGHTING IN DOUBLE SKIN FACADE
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYSTEM
• Lighting devices can also be placed in double envelope system.
• The double-skin façade reduces heat losses in the winter and heat gain in the summer through optical control
of sunlight.
• Within one floor height, the double-skin façade can be divided into three sections.
• The upper section is made of insulating glass with integrated prismatic panels which automatically adjusts itself
as a function of the altitude of the sun.
• This panel has two functions: reflecting sunlight toward the outside and admitting daylight into the interior
space.
• The vision window is made of clear insulating glass and is manually operated by the occupant during the
daytime.
• The lower level window is automatically controlled to stay closed when solar and thermal insulation are
desired.
LIGHTING DEVICES
PRISMATIC PANEL
WINDOW
INSULATED PANEL
INLET

7. TECHNICAL DATA
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
DOUBLE SKIN FAÇADE CONSTRUCTION
o Façade systems comprise the structural elements that provide lateral and vertical resistance to wind and other actions, and the building envelope elements
that provide the weather resistance and thermal, acoustic and fire resisting properties. The types of façade system that are used depends on the type and scale
of the building and on local planning requirements that may affect the building’s appearance in relation to its neighbors.
PRIMARY STRUCTURE:
o Typically this means columns, braces
and beams in steel construction. In
concrete add shear walls and slabs.
In some super tall or non standards
geometry buildings floor slabs are
also "activated" meaning they
provide diaphragm action, whereas
in much other construction they
merely rest on primary elements.
PRIMARY STRUCTURE
SECONDARY STRUCTURE:
o Secondary - everything that holds
something up (provides "structure")
but isn't crucial to the buildings
structural integrity. Example of this is
facade steel like mullions and
transoms or other arrangements to
hold cladding, or various structural
elements that hold up secondary
elements like canopies, ceilings and
decorative screens etc.
SECONDARY STRUCTURE

8. DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
TECHNICAL DATA
THE SECONDARY STRUCTURE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE MAIN TYPES:
CABLE SUSPENDED FACADES
o The facade brackets are available in two main categories.
o The first category of facade brackets are the ones that can be
fixed on the edge of the slabs. This way the tensile loads from
wind are transferred in to the end of the floor slab.
o The second category of facade brackets are the ones that are
fixed on the top of the slab. This way the horizontal loads from
wind and the vertical loads from dead load and the resultant
loads are transferred in to the top of the floor slab
o Cable Suspended facades use high tensile cables or stainless
steel rods to impose the loads of the facade on the main
structure. This decreases the amount of solid structural
elements visible on the project, therefore increasing the
transparency of the facade. The two main types in the industry
are tension rod facades and cable net walls.
o Panels are framed by mullions on the vertical edges and
transoms on the horizontal edges. Mullions and transoms are
thermally broken to prevent through the element so that
condensation does not occur. Unitized curtain walling is
identifiable by the presence of split mullions and transoms on
the panel perimeters
PANEL FRAME FACADE
CANTILIVER BRACKET STRUCTURE

9. Technical data
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM

10. Technical data
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
Opening principles
The air velocity and the type of flow inside the cavity depend on:
• The depth of the cavity (both for mechanical and natural ventilation)
• The type of the interior openings (both for mechanical and natural
ventilation)
• The type of the exterior openings (for natural ventilation)
General
When choosing the materials used for the construction of the Double
Skin Façade, caution should be paid to the pane type and the shading
device.
Selection of Glass
• For the internal skin (façade):
• thermal insulating double or triple pane. The panes are usually
toughened orunhardened float glass.
• The gaps between the panes are filled with air,
argon or krypton.
For the external skin (façade)
• toughened (tempered)
single pane. Sometimes it can be a laminated glass instead.
Thickness of glass
Outer pane – 8mm thk glass
Intermediate – 4mm to 6 mmthk
Internal pane - 4mm thk

11. DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
COMMERZBANK HEADQUARTERS
It is a Highrise building in Frankfurt, Germany.
It was built in 1991-1997. It was designed by
Fosters and Partners, Energy consultant was
Roger Preston. It became Europe’s tallest
building just 300m, with high antenna of 40m
on the top.
BRIEF
The aim was to create a building
which is capable of expressing
current values, where the
environment friendliness is as
important as function of the building
CLIMATE
The climate of Frankfurt in 'continental' , summers are warm and winters are
colder. Hence the building has adopted double skin facade system to deal with the
climatic conditions as the system is prominent for this type of climate
CASESTUDY 1- COMMERZBANK HEADQUATERS, GERMANY
Single skin facade
on the garden side
SUNPATH
Double skin facade
on the offices side

12. 225 mm
DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
THE INTELLIGENT FACTOR
The inner skin of external
windows and the atrium have
motor driven sashes that is
controlled by building
management system, or by
occupants using wall
mounted switches. During
undesired conditions
windows are closed by the
BMS and air conditioning gets
activated.
ENERGY STRATERGY
The building is designed to utilize the natural ventilation for a large proportion of operating cycle. Natural ventilation and lighting is achieved
by open able windows which are controlled by central computers
CASESTUDY 1- COMMERZBANK HEADQUATERS, GERMANY
Ventilation with closed and open windows
Ventilation happens in the building
through Chimney Effect Frankfurt Commerzbank facade
system details

13. DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
COMMERZBANK HEADQUARTERS
It is a high rise office building designed by
RENZO PIANO BUILDING WORKSHOP, Energy
consultant for ARUP GMBH for the Diamler
Benz inter services.
BRIEF
The building required to house the headquarters,
financial services, information technology,
telecommunications and media services. The
project was symbol of the companies
commitment to a united Germany and rebuilding
historic capital.
INTELLIGENT FEATURES
• Building management system
• Learning facility
• Weather data
• Responsive lights
• Sun tracking facility
• Occupant override
• Self-generation – CHP/PV/WIND
• Night cooling
• Solar water heating
CLIMATE
The climate is continental, summers are warmer and winters are colder than UK.
In winters the temperature drops to -25 degree Celsius and is summer it rises to
32 degree Celsius.
CASESTUDY 2 – OFFICE BUILDING IN PLOTSDAMMER PLATZ,BERLIN, GERMANY
SUNPATH
GLASS PANEL
GLASS LOUVRES

14. DOUBLE SKIN FRAMING SYTEM
CASESTUDY 2 – OFFICE BUILDING IN PLOTSDAMMER PLATZ,BERLIN, GERMANY
700mm
LOUVRES AT THE
OUTER SKIN
700MM CAVITY
CONVENTIONAL
WINDOWS WITH
MASONRY WALL
• The east, south, west elevations have the highest
exposure to solar gain which incorporates a glass wall
700mm outside the main window wall.
• This outer wall consists of glass panels which open to
70 degree by sensors for natural ventilation in warm
climate.
• In cold climate, they close to create an insulation layer.
• The inner façade consists of lower and upper panels of
insulated glazing, at night in warm weather, the upper
window opens automatically, to ventilate the inner
spaces and to emit the heat built up during the day.
UPPER WINDOW OPENING
AUTOMATICALLY