Modernization of existing glass facades to increase energy efficiency and implement media content

Abstract

Modern cities and their architectural structures are exposed to functional and physical changes. During the past few years the interventions on the claddings of existing buildings have become more frequent. Therefore, there is a need to analyze potential remodelling of glass facades in order to increase energy efficiency of existing buildings, along with applying the concept of smart technologies. This paper deals with modernizing glass façade of the tall Slavija hotel, built in 1960s in Belgrade, Serbia, taking into consideration some positive examples of transformation and reskinning of buildings, where the aspect of medialization is an active part of urban refurbishment. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the enhanced winter thermal comfort of this building that was accomplished by glass facade replacement. Special attention was paid to the implementation of media technologies and final effects on energy balance of the newly designed facade. The proposed solution is supposed to evaluate the improved thermal comfort that was achieved by performing a radical modernization of the facade and replacing the existing facade with a new one, with and without media elements. The research results are proposals for improving EE public buildings by implementing the latest system of curtain walls in order to increase the value of those buildings. One of the most important criteria used in the process of energy refurbishment is technological enhancement of existing buildings, along with the presentation of media contents and messages, as the elements of new infrastructure systems in modern cities.