Digital Technologies' Trends and Challenges in Improving Building Facades' Thermal Performance Case Study Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Alomairi, Nouf; Omar Mostafa, Ahmed

doi:10.21608/bfemu.2022.131633.1247

Digital Technologies' Trends and Challenges in Improving Building Facades' Thermal Performance Case Study Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Document Type : Research Studies

Authors

Nouf Alomairi ¹
Ahmed Omar Mostafa ²

¹ Arch. of Faculty Member in Prince Sultan University College of Architecture. MSc. Student At Architecture And Building Science, King Saud University

² Associate Professor, College of Architecture and Planning King Saud University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

10.21608/bfemu.2022.131633.1247

Abstract

Nowadays, the concept of sustainability in architecture has significantly developed and its related interest has increased. Due to the importance role of building facades in achieving sustainability, many papers discussed new ways and techniques for developing building facades in order to improve its thermal performance. Despite the fact that significant advancements in digital technologies assist designers in improving the efficiency of buildings’ thermal performance, the use of such technologies in improving existing building facades is still below the desired level. As a result, the goal of this study is to investigate top trends and challenges of digital technologies in improving existing building facades' thermal performance, as well as to track the reality of its application and its relative importance in Riyadh local market. To achieve this goal, the research adopts the descriptive analytical methodology in its two parts: in the theoretical part to explore top trends and challenges of building facades’ digital technologies and in the field survey part to monitor the reality of its application and its relative importance using questionnaires as a data gathering tool. The results of this research are expected to support decision makers in developing the necessary action plan(s) to raise the level of trend adoption in the market and eliminate the effects of its challenges. The importance of this research is underscored by the 2030 vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which intends to achieve sustainability through the use of modern technologies and energy conservation.

Keywords