A New Envelope with Highly Energy-Efficient Insulation

Abstract

This article examines, from the insulation viewpoint, a new lightweight, slim, highly energy-efficient, light-transmitting envelope system, providing seamless, free form designs for use in architectural projects. The research was based on envelope components that are already on the market, especially components implemented with granular silica gel insulation, because this is the most effective translucent thermal insulation available today. The tests run on these materials revealed that there is no single component that has all the features required of the new envelope model. However, some do have properties that could be exploited to generate this envelope, namely the vacuum chamber of VIP panels, monolithic aero gel used as insulation in some prototypes and reinforced polyester barriers. By combining these three design components, the high-performance thermal insulation of the vacuum chamber, combined with monolithic silica gel insulation and the free-form design potential provided by materials like reinforced polyester and epoxy resins, we have been able to define and test a new, variable geometry, envelope insulation system with excellent energy-saving levels