New water-filled window design promises to heat and cool buildings

Water House 2.0 in Taiwan is an experimental project that tests the heating and cooling system

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

An innovative window prototype has been developed by British startup Water-Filled Glass . The system is a newer version of the well-known insulated double-glazed window, introducing a thin membrane of water between two layers. This imperceptible film of water works to absorb heat from sunlight – or heat escaping from inside the building. Once heated, this water is pumped through a network of pipes under the floor to the cooler areas of the building.

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

This patented technology was developed by Loughborough University architecture professor Matyas Gutai , along with colleagues Daniel Schinagl and Abolfazl Ganji Kheybari. Gutai founded the British startup in 2020 and had previously worked for Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and in Kengo Kuma 's research lab at the University of Tokyo. As window insulation strategies have long been an obstacle in the pursuit of passive architecture, the Water-Filled Glass team hopes this new technology can bring efficiency to even the most heavily glazed buildings.

According to the British startup, this method of absorbing thermal energy not only heats interiors in colder climates, but also limits the amount of solar heat gain entering a space in warmer climates. To prevent the water from freezing during the winter, the system is changed to a triple-glazed window with its outer cavity filled with argon insulation. At most, the water can be heated to 40°C.

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

The team goes on to estimate that the technology will reduce energy bills by about 25 percent — depending on climate and window-to-wall ratio — compared to standard windows. While it is suitable for new construction, it is still recommended for building renovations such as an energy-saving retrofit .

New water-filled window design promises to heat and cool buildings

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

Information: Designboom.

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