This thesis focuses on the design and implementation of a flexible, adaptable, and modular integrated unitised façade panel. The panel integrates air-to-air building services technologies for ventilation and/or heating and cooling, driven by electricity, to enhance user comfort under different climate conditions. The primary objective is to develop a panel design capable of adapting to various climates in residential concrete tenement flats built post-war worldwide, due to the need of refurbishments of such residential buildings.

The thesis outlines a programme of constraints that define and determine key aspects for designing a building services integrated unitised façade panel. It also emphasizes the selection of efficient air-to-air technologies available in the market for heating, cooling, and ventilation, including heat exchangers that significantly decrease energy consumption in buildings while enhancing user comfort, regardless of the climate.

One of the challenges of the thesis lie in establishing the market acceptance of the proposed product design, ensuring feasibility and attractiveness to engineers, manufacturers, users, and architects. The design criteria also need to accommodate potential future changes, geometry adaptability and aesthetics flexibility. Additionally, the final product design will be simulated under two distinct climates to assess its feasibility for large-scale application.

The focus of this thesis will be on decentralised ventilation, heating, and cooling services to achieve substantial energy savings. Other technologies related to sun shading and energy generation will be considered regarding space and installation requirements but will not be part of the literature research.

In terms of comfort domains, the thesis will address indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal environment, and acoustics. The primary research question guiding the thesis is: “How can a façade design integrate building services for heating, cooling, and ventilation, and enhance user comfort in residential concrete buildings?” The methodology employed for this thesis follows a design-through-research approach.

Overall, this thesis aims to contribute to the development of an innovative building services integrated unitised façade panel that significantly improves energy efficiency while enhancing user comfort, and allows for adaptability for residential concrete buildings under different climates conditions.