Overview
Overgrown facades improve the seasonal energy balance of buildings and reduce Urban Heat Island Effects (UHIE). In summer, the cooling energy demand and the risk of overheating of buildings may be reduced with overgrown facades. In winter, higher solar gains reduce the heating energy demand after the foliage is shed. However only little is known about the shading effects of plants attached to facades. The shading effect of 10 different plant species is to be measured. The resulting energy flows through a vegetated rope façade are modelled in a simulation modell for different orientations.