Utilizzo e prestazioni dei materiali cromogenici per l’involucro architettonico. Use and performance of chromogenic materials for the architectonic envelope

The paper addresses the problem of energy consumption in the building field and simultaneously describes the growing trend toward light and transparent architecture, especially in the tertiary sector, which requires huge costs for heating and cooling . In the architectural field is therefore important the contribution that can be given by the use of new materials, alternative to glass or able to improve its insulation properties. Among innovative materials, the chromogenic materials, or variable transparency materials, are very interesting; they are capable of varying its optical and energy properties at the changing of physical and chemical parameters.