The adaptive envelope and its role in providing improvements for high-rise buildings performance

The research presents an overview of adaptive building envelopes that have an effective role in providing improvements in high-rise buildings performance by changing their behavior in actual-time according to outdoor and indoor environmental conditions. This study investigates these improvements, which may be shown through components, materials, or innovative systems to overcome the problems of energy consumption and improve the indoor environment. Several concepts of adaptive envelopes have been developed. Therefore, the paper aims to harmonize, share, and disseminate technological knowledge of adaptive envelopes by depending on theoretical approach to discuss different definitions, functions, and theories of adaptive envelopes. This theoretical approach also covers upcoming developments and potential innovations. Through analytical approach, the paper investigates the recent adaptive envelope systems, concepts, evolution of material technology, and innovative materials by analyzing existing buildings and proposed projects. The study adopted detailed descriptions, characterizations, metrics, and economic features, which were conducted using an online survey. The analysis showed that the application of adaptive systems on high-rise buildings envelopes is highly important as an effective tool to minimize building energy consumption, which contributes strongly to achieve sustainability. © 2020, Cairo University. All rights reserved.