PROJECTS

Development of a complete large glazed roof system that can be installed on horizontal roofs of residential, commercial and service buildings, or even industrial buildings, associated with mechanical automation and control systems.

SCOPE

Natural lighting has played a central role in the evolution of architecture. With the ability to manufacture increasingly larger glass panels, it can be noted that buildings have more generous glass areas. However, the use of glass roofs still poses a challenge for architecture, engineering and productive fabric. Nevertheless, the glazing on the roof allows for a better use of natural lighting, providing a greater even distribution and diffusion of the light. If these glazed openings can be opened, they can also be used for ventilation purposes. In order for these solutions to have a good acceptance, they not only need to promote environmental comfort (visual, lighting, thermal and air quality), but also ensure compliance with a set of technical and functional requirements. Taking into account the context mentioned above, the objective of this project is to develop a panoramic and removable glass system for the roofs building. The system will be panoramic, since it will be designed to incorporate large dimension glass (normal glass or photovoltaic glass). The removable ability of the system forces the existence of mobile leafs, whose movements will be controlled using mechanical means. The control and automation system will be developed using a vast array of sensors, namely, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and air and gas speed. The operation of the S&V system, i.e., opening and closing, can be remotely controlled by the user, or as a direct response to data supplied by the sensors, for example the rainfall sensor. Additionally, within the scope of this project, a predictive algorithm that is able to anticipate control actions on the glass system will be developed, increasing the levels of environmental comfort. This algorithm will depend on weather forecasts and real time sensor data. The solution to be developed must also guarantee high mechanical, acoustic, higrothermic and safety performance. This project aims to make the new system applicable to the roofing of housing and industrial buildings.