Control of daylight, noise and heat by the building structure

The role of the building envelope as a transmitter of light is changing, necessitating research into other roles of the window, namely the view through them and the provision of natural light for amenity. New implications result for the building envelope, related to form, construction, heating, acoustics and legislation. This new development complicates the design problem and requires attention to other considerations. New prediction techniques are being devised to assist design of the building structure so as to optimize its performance and integrate this performance with the design of the heating, air-conditioning and lighting services. New buildings promoted by these developments have been constructed. Air conditioning and design by performance specification will be important for future developments in structural design for environmental control.