Evaluation of the Impact of a Brick Double-Skin Facade's Shading Device on Building Thermal Loads

This study investigates the impact of brick shading devices—specifically perforated brick walls used in double-skin façades—on the heating and cooling loads of low-rise residential apartment buildings. The research focuses on two distinct climatic zones locatet in iran: Tehran (a cold semi-arid climate) and Bandar Abbas (a hot and humid climate). Employing a quantitative research methodilogy, thermal simulations were conducted using DesignBuilder software to assess the influence of these shading elements on indoor thermal comfort. The case study was modeled on a residential plot in both cities, serving as a pilot scenario. The design of the perforated brick façade was inspired by both contemporary applications and traditional Iranian brickwork patterns. Simulation results revealed that, in Tehran, the proposed façade increased the total energy load by 2.8% compared to the baseline model. Conversely, in Bandar Abbas, the same design led to a 4.7% reduction in total energy load. These findings highlight the potential of brick shading strategies in optimizing thermal performance, particularly in hot and humid regions, and offer valuable insights for climate-responsive façade design in low-rise residential architecture.