What is the impact of perforated screening systems on thermal comfort?

Diego Contreras Rios - November 13, 2025

Medium span (30 seconds)

What is the impact of perforated screening systems  on thermal comfort?

Project Location: Zone 0A Extremely Hot Humid

Simulation Scale: Whole Building

Application: Research

Audience: Architect/Designer

What is this graphic showing? Describe the different parts of the graphic and how it communicates the data.

This poster presents a simulation-based analysis of the impact of perforated screening systems on thermal comfort in a modular wood prototype house. The upper section outlines the research objective, simulation conditions, and methodological framework, including the use of EnergyPlus and LadyBug tools to assess comfort metrics—Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) for outdoor conditions and Operative Temperature Difference (OTD) for indoor environments. Central visuals display the baseline thermal comfort conditions through model diagrams and bi-hourly heat maps, establishing a reference for comparison. The lower panels present comparative results from Houston, TX, and St. Louis, MO, demonstrating the effectiveness of two perforated screen designs in mitigating heat stress and enhancing thermal comfort, particularly in porch areas, as evidenced by sensor grid data and adaptive comfort matrices.

What type of graphic is this?

  • Diagram

Design Variables

  • Building Massing
  • Building Materials
  • Glass U-value / SHGC
  • Glazing Fraction/Window to Wall ratio
  • HVAC performance/system selection
  • Insulation R-value
  • Other
  • Window shading/sun control

What tools were used for the simulation analysis?

  • EnergyPlus
  • Ladybug Tools

What tools did you use to create the graphic?

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Grasshopper/Rhino

What was successful and/or unique about the graphic in how it communicates information?

The graphic is successful and unique in its clear, layered presentation of complex simulation data across multiple scales and metrics. It effectively combines architectural diagrams, environmental simulations, and sensor data within a cohesive visual hierarchy, guiding the viewer from the research setup to detailed thermal comfort outcomes. By pairing UTCI and OTD matrices for both baseline and sc

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

Included in the competition: