The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions

Architectural vertical green walls can mitigate the urban heat island effect, provide shade and cooling, reduce energy consumption, improve a microclimate, and increase indoor comfort. However, an excessive pursuit of high coverage may diminish the benefit ratio and adversely affect ventilation and...

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Main Authors: Li Li, Junfeng Cheng, Zhichao Liu, Qingliang Li, Lan Yu, Xiaoqing Zhou, Yue Pang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3840
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author Li Li
Junfeng Cheng
Zhichao Liu
Qingliang Li
Lan Yu
Xiaoqing Zhou
Yue Pang
author_facet Li Li
Junfeng Cheng
Zhichao Liu
Qingliang Li
Lan Yu
Xiaoqing Zhou
Yue Pang
author_sort Li Li
collection DOAJ
description Architectural vertical green walls can mitigate the urban heat island effect, provide shade and cooling, reduce energy consumption, improve a microclimate, and increase indoor comfort. However, an excessive pursuit of high coverage may diminish the benefit ratio and adversely affect ventilation and lighting. Field measurements were conducted in the hot and humid Guangzhou area to investigate the thermal benefits of external vertical green walls with varying green coverage and diverse layouts, encompassing effects such as shading, insulation, cooling, and humidification. Analyses were conducted using ENVI-met, orthogonal experiments, and SPSS to quantify the moderating effects of planted green coverage (PGC), leaf area density (LAD), and air interstitial layers on the environmental thermal benefits. The results indicated that the cooling and humidifying effects of 100% PGC and 75% PGC were comparable and superior to those of 50% PGC, yet 75% PGC outperformed 100% PGC in terms of indoor humidification. Among the layout modes, the horizontal layout was the most effective for cooling and humidification, followed by the point layout, with the vertical layout being the least effective. A global sensitivity analysis revealed that PGC had the greatest impact on wall cooling and outdoor humidification, LAD significantly influenced humidification, the width of air interstitial layers had a minor impact, and the two architectural vertical greening design ratios of 75% PGC × 4.60 LAD and 75% PGC × 2.70 LAD were particularly effective for cooling and humidification. Incorporating horizontal or point-like layouts can enhance façade design diversity while preserving the desired environmental thermal benefits, thereby contributing to the overall aesthetics of a building.
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spelling doaj-art-76db45868acf4fd182c0d653c9f7d8ce2024-12-27T14:15:29ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-11-011412384010.3390/buildings14123840The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid RegionsLi Li0Junfeng Cheng1Zhichao Liu2Qingliang Li3Lan Yu4Xiaoqing Zhou5Yue Pang6School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaGuangzhou Urban Planning & Design Survey Research Institute, Guangzhou 510060, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Institute of Architectural Design and Research Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510010, ChinaGuangzhou Flowers and Plants Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510075, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaArchitectural vertical green walls can mitigate the urban heat island effect, provide shade and cooling, reduce energy consumption, improve a microclimate, and increase indoor comfort. However, an excessive pursuit of high coverage may diminish the benefit ratio and adversely affect ventilation and lighting. Field measurements were conducted in the hot and humid Guangzhou area to investigate the thermal benefits of external vertical green walls with varying green coverage and diverse layouts, encompassing effects such as shading, insulation, cooling, and humidification. Analyses were conducted using ENVI-met, orthogonal experiments, and SPSS to quantify the moderating effects of planted green coverage (PGC), leaf area density (LAD), and air interstitial layers on the environmental thermal benefits. The results indicated that the cooling and humidifying effects of 100% PGC and 75% PGC were comparable and superior to those of 50% PGC, yet 75% PGC outperformed 100% PGC in terms of indoor humidification. Among the layout modes, the horizontal layout was the most effective for cooling and humidification, followed by the point layout, with the vertical layout being the least effective. A global sensitivity analysis revealed that PGC had the greatest impact on wall cooling and outdoor humidification, LAD significantly influenced humidification, the width of air interstitial layers had a minor impact, and the two architectural vertical greening design ratios of 75% PGC × 4.60 LAD and 75% PGC × 2.70 LAD were particularly effective for cooling and humidification. Incorporating horizontal or point-like layouts can enhance façade design diversity while preserving the desired environmental thermal benefits, thereby contributing to the overall aesthetics of a building.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3840planted green coveragelayoutleaf area densityshading and insulationcooling and humidificationbenefit ratio
spellingShingle Li Li
Junfeng Cheng
Zhichao Liu
Qingliang Li
Lan Yu
Xiaoqing Zhou
Yue Pang
The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions
Buildings
planted green coverage
layout
leaf area density
shading and insulation
cooling and humidification
benefit ratio
title The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions
title_full The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions
title_fullStr The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions
title_short The Impact of Coverage Forms of Exterior Vertical Greening Walls on the Thermal Environmental Benefits of Buildings in Hot and Humid Regions
title_sort impact of coverage forms of exterior vertical greening walls on the thermal environmental benefits of buildings in hot and humid regions
topic planted green coverage
layout
leaf area density
shading and insulation
cooling and humidification
benefit ratio
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3840
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