Architectural quality of the productive façades integrating photovoltaic and vertical farming systems: Survey among experts in Singapore

Abstract

Buildings could play a critical role in energy and food production while making high-density cities more resilient. Productive façades (PFs), as flexible and multi-functional systems integrating photovoltaic (PV) and vertical farming (VF) systems, could contribute to transforming buildings and communities from consumers to producers. This study analyses the architectural quality of the developed PF concept drawing on the findings of a web-survey conducted among experts – building professionals in Singapore. The developed design variants are compared with regards to key design aspects such as façade aesthetics, view from the inside, materialisation, ease of operation, functionality and overall architectural quality. The study also compares and discusses the results of the web-survey with the results of a previously conducted door-to-door survey among the potential users – residents of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) blocks. The findings confirm an overall acceptance of the PF concept and reveal a need for synergetic collaboration between architects/designers and other building professionals. Based on the defined PF design framework and the results of the two surveys, a series of recommendations and improved PF prototypes are proposed for further assessment and implementation in order to foster their scalability from buildings into communities and cities.

Keywords

• Façade systems
• Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV)
• Solar shading devices
• Vertical farming (VF)
• Sustainable buildings
• Survey