Future trends and main concepts of adaptive facade systems

There is a growing interest in adaptive facade technologies to counter overheating problems and well‐being concerns in smart and high‐performance buildings. However, traditional literature review studies do not necessarily provide deep insights into the future trends of adaptive facade technologies. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel conceptual framework and technological classification for adaptive facades in the future. Our research methodology includes a literature review expert interviews and content analysis. In‐depth interviews with 27 international adaptive facade experts were conducted with a focus on the European context. The results categorize the adaptive facade technologies under four promising families and present a conceptual framework that identifies human‐centered design, smart building operating systems, service‐driven solutions, circularity, and materials as the main drivers of the facade technological advancements. Overall, this methodology yields new and rich qualitative knowledge related to adaptive facades; however, it has certain limitations, such as being time‐consuming. The research provides insights on future delivery processes and the future structural trends of adaptive facades. The new categorization and framework articulate the multifunctionality and performance requirements of facade technologies including smartness, automation, comfort, and well‐being.