Abstract Façades are among the most expressive architectural elements in buildings and play a critical role in environmental control by mediating the relationship between interior and exterior conditions. This research explores the integration of architectural design and climate-responsive strategies through the development of a dynamic façade system adapted to hot-arid conditions. A parametric façade design inspired by the geometry of the Eye of Horus is proposed for the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport Smart Village Campus in Cairo. Using Rhino and Grasshopper in combination with the Ladybug environmental analysis tools, a simulation-based assessment was conducted to evaluate solar radiation exposure across different building orientations, identifying the east–south facade as the most critical. The proposed kinetic façade system consists of polytetrafluoroethylene-based rotating panels whose configuration is adjusted through a conceptual rule-based parametric control in response to solar radiation levels. The system aims to regulate daylight penetration and reduce direct solar exposure while maintaining visual connectivity between interior and exterior spaces. Simulation results indicate a reduction in incident solar radiation ranging from 14% to 23% during summer and from 16% to 30% during winter, depending on facade configuration and panel rotation angles. These findings suggest that dynamic facade systems can support improved solar control and climate-responsive facade strategies in hot-arid regions, with potential implications for reducing cooling-related environmental loads. By linking parametric design with environmental simulation, this study highlights the role of responsive facades in enhancing environmental performance while integrating architectural expression and regional identity.
Ahmed Nasr (Thu,) studied this question.