Architecture Engineers Award

Modern buildings face significant challenges due to peak cooling demands, especially during afternoon hours, which increase energy consumption and reduce system efficiency. This research focuses on integrating advanced materials, such as dual-stage phase change materials (DPCMs), with compact heat pipe systems , to create smart building solutions. By adopting intelligent design strategies, architects can optimize indoor thermal comfort , reduce peak cooling loads, and enhance energy efficiency . The study highlights the role of material placement and sizing within building envelopes to achieve sustainable and adaptive building performance . Peak Cooling Load Challenges in Smart Buildings Afternoon peak cooling demands in buildings create stress on HVAC systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy costs. Understanding these challenges is essential for architects to design thermally responsive buildings . Integrating advanced thermal storage materials like DPCMs helps in ...