DOUBLE SKIN FAÇADE AS A TOOL TO ENHANCE THERMAL COMFORT IN AIRPORT TERMINAL HALLS IN BSK CLIMATE

Abstract

This research investigates the use of double-skin façades (DSF) as a passive design strategy to enhance thermal comfort in airport terminal halls located in regions with a cold semi-arid climate (BSK), such as Tebessa. The subject was chosen in response to rising energy demands and thermal discomfort in large-scale public buildings, particularly airports in Algeria, where traditional façades often fail to provide adequate environmental control. Given the importance of indoor environmental quality in airport terminals, this study evaluates DSF performance in terms of insulation and solar protection. An experimental “generate and test” approach was adopted, using Rhinoceros 3D and the Grasshopper plugin, along with Ladybug and Honeybee for environmental analysis. Various DSF configurations were simulated, defined by different glass thicknesses and cavity depths. A sensitivity response method was used to identify optimal DSF models within each glass category. These optimal cases were then compared to assess their relative thermal efficiency. The best-performing DSF model was finally benchmarked against a single-glazing façade (SGF) to evaluate its added thermal comfort benefits.The results demonstrate that, when properly designed, DSFs can significantly improve thermal conditions in airport terminal halls, especially when deeper cavities are used. The configuration featuring 12 mm glass and a 0.8 m cavity achieved the highest thermal comfort hours, contributing to improved passenger comfort in cold semi-arid climates.