Multi-Objective Evolutionary Optimization of Bacterial Cellulose-Based Composite Glazing for Thermal, Daylight, and Energy Consideration

Abstract

Glazing elements are critical components of building envelopes as they regulate the admission of direct and indirect sunlight, thereby reducing the energy demand of buildings by improving daylight performance and thermal comfort. While recent literature presents various applications of advanced glazing technologies, it is crucial to explore alternative sustainable materials that can respond to environmental conditions while enhancing the performance of buildings. Among biobased materials, bacterial cellulose (BC) stands out due to its unique properties, such as high tensile strength, elasticity, absorbency, and moderate transparency. This study investigates the integration of BC-based composite glazing into the facade of an architectural design studio. A multi-objective optimization, combining daylighting and energy simulations, was employed to optimize the transparency, size, and placement of the glazing elements. The results show that BC-based glazing improves the uniformity of daylight distribution, reduces glare risk, and slightly decreases the building's annual heating and cooling loads compared to the base case. This study demonstrates the potential of bio-based composite glazing as a sustainable alternative for building envelopes, emphasizing circularity and low-energy strategies, by highlighting the synergy between building science, computational design, and biology in driving the transition toward a more resilient built environment. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.