Evaluating the Effectiveness of Adaptive Shading Systems in Improving the Thermal and Visual Performance of Office Buildings in Hot-Arid Regions: A Critical Comparative Review with an In-Depth Analysis of the Libyan Environmental Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/5sh92z17Keywords:
Adaptive Shading Systems; Kinetic Façades; Office Buildings; Thermal Performance; Visual Comfort; Hot-Arid Climate; Libyan Environment; Energy EfficiencyAbstract
Office buildings in hot and arid climatic regions face increasingly complex environmental and energy-related challenges associated with intense direct solar radiation and rising cooling and air-conditioning loads, alongside the critical need to provide adequate levels of natural daylight that ensure visual comfort and support occupants’ workplace productivity. This study aims to provide an in-depth critical, analytical, and comparative review of the potential of adaptive shading systems (kinetic and dynamic façades) in comparison with conventional static shading systems, while identifying the key factors and conditions governing their environmental and operational effectiveness. The research adopts a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology through the critical examination and synthesis of evidence drawn from a purposively selected sample of ten peer-reviewed studies published in international scientific journals between 2013 and 2026.
The analysis is structured around five principal dimensions: temporal responsiveness, thermal performance, daylighting efficiency and glare mitigation, algorithm-based control strategies, and the limitations associated with maintenance requirements and mechanical complexity. Furthermore, the study devotes a comprehensive and extended discussion to the implications and potential applications of these technologies in office buildings within the Libyan context, incorporating a comparative analysis of coastal cities, such as Tripoli and Benghazi, and hot inland and desert regions, including Sabha and Ghadames.
The findings indicate that the ability of adaptive shading systems to move and adjust their configurations provides considerable flexibility in solar control. However, such adaptability does not inherently guarantee energy savings or the complete elimination of visual glare. Actual performance depends on the complex interaction of several factors, including façade orientation, glazing types and performance characteristics, control algorithms, and local environmental challenges, such as dust and sand accumulation, coastal humidity, high maintenance costs, and the availability of qualified technical personnel.
The study concludes that the assumption of the universal superiority of kinetic façades over conventional static shading systems should be reconsidered. Instead, a comprehensive multi-criteria evaluation framework is recommended to balance sustainable environmental performance, occupant comfort, and operational readiness before implementing adaptive shading technologies in office buildings across Libya.
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