Research on the application of green materials in the design of building facades

Abstract The increasing global emphasis on sustainable development has driven a growing demand for green materials in the construction sector. As a critical element in regulating building energy efficiency, the selection of facade materials significantly influences energy consumption reduction, carbon emission control, and environmental adaptation. This study systematically categorizes and evaluates the thermal, mechanical, and environmental properties of green facade materials, including wood, bamboo, integrated photovoltaic facades (BIPV), living plant walls, highly reflective coatings, and phase change energy storage materials. The results indicate that optimized multi-layer composite designs combining highly reflective coatings and phase change materials can achieve up to a 30% reduction in building energy consumption, while integrated photovoltaic facades improve solar energy utilization by 25%, contributing to enhanced sustainability. Additionally, computational simulations such as CFD and BIM modeling validate the effectiveness of material selection and configuration in different climatic conditions, ensuring optimal thermal performance. A comprehensive evaluation of environmental and economic impacts confirms that while highly reflective coatings offer the shortest investment payback period of 2.78 years, BIPV systems provide long-term renewable energy benefits with a payback period of 3.33 years. These findings provide valuable insights into the strategic integration of green materials in facade design, facilitating the advancement of sustainable architecture.