Abstract
Façades comprise a significant building envelope area and are responsible for energy efficiency and optimal indoor environmental conditions. Therefore, driving sustainability in the façade industry is a key challenge to meeting climate and energy targets. The project Staticus Care, aims to develop an automated façade by substituting aluminium with a hybrid timber-aluminium system, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the application of timber creates new challenges when compared with traditional inorganic façade materials, mainly linked to the presence of moisture and water over time. This paper describes the methodological approach for identifying and assessing risk in the prefabricated façade from unfavourable moisture or water presence. This preliminary study is important since the system has not been tested or implemented in a full-scale project, allowing for substantial savings of resources. The recommendations were achieved through an expert-level workshop organized with the researchers of SINTEF Community in Trondheim, Norway. The discussions and conclusions of the workshop aim to facilitate and be considered during the: a) advanced simulations in computer software, b) design, fabrication, testing, transport, storage and installation of the innovative façade system, and c) placement of the monitoring sensors. The outcomes serve as a first step towards developing a sustainable automated façade and must be followed by numerical and experimental investigations to calibrate the system.