Multifunctional and Adaptive Architecture: Testing of Electrochromic Windows in the Mediterranean Climate

Abstract The concepts of multifunctionality and architectural adaptivity, date from the last decades of the last century; some insights can be traced back to even earlier centuries. Theories of the economist Malthus and of the biologist Darwin are premonitory. In the last century are fundam ental the work of Le Corbusier , the theories of McLuhan and Davies. But only recently developments in the field of materials technology has allowed to develop innovative solutions that can be used in construction and in the architectural practice. Today photodynamic materials, abl e to change their optical characteristics as a function of the variation of external conditions and, above all, Electrochromic ones (EC), are able to ensure the adaptability of the transparent envelope to the housing needs of energy saving and comfort. However, they are still struggling to become commonly used, because of high costs and problems yet to be e lucidated. The Department of Architect ure of Cagliari University for some years has conducted studies on EC materials; they were first directed to evaluate E C materials using appropriate computer codes. During 2010 a new phase started, thanks to the funding of the Regional A dministration of Sardinia. It consists of live testing of these materials. Two test rooms were built, one with conventional gl azing and one with EC glazing. Different energy performances will be measured through appropriate instruments. Results and physical data will be analyzed and compared. The article describes the stage preceding the trials and the testings, for the definition of the optimal conformation of testing rooms. It describes even the management of EC glazing and survey instrumen ts. The article also proposes the first results of the trial that will end in the summer of 2012.