Case Study: TIFAIN Facade

This chapter presents the Italian national research project TIFAIN that explored the possibilities of designing complex and multifunctional, semi-transparent, and colored Building-Integrated Photovoltaic glazed facades. Moreover, the project analyzed integrating Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) into a Complex Fenestration System (CFS) with the light management technology that controls reflection, refraction, and light trapping for energy conversion. Developed integrative performance-based design methodology considers multiple criteria such as the high building energy efficiency, the energy generation by PV, and the user comfort, to achieve a symbiosis of both design and high performance in a unique facade system. This methodology is demonstrated on two different TIFAIN facades and their design, material, and performance criteria. Finally, the chapter describes the project consortium, the whole design process and roles, the upscaling process including prototyping and testing, and various studies including Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), solar radiation, layout, and structural system.