170 research outputs found
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A Framework for Performance-Based Facade Design: Approach for Multi-Objective and Automated Simulation and Optimization
Buildings have a considerable impact on the environment, and it is crucial to consider environmental and energy performance in building design. In this regard, decision-makers are required to establish an optimal solution, considering multi-objective problems that are usually competitive and nonlinear, such as energy consumption, financial costs, environmental performance, occupant comfort, etc. Sustainable building design requires considerations of a large number of design variables and multiple, often conflicting objectives, such as the initial construction cost, energy cost, energy consumption and occupant satisfaction. One approach to address these issues is the use of building performance simulations and optimization methods.
This paper presents a novel method for improving building facade performance, taking into consideration occupant comfort, energy consumption and energy costs. The paper discusses development of a framework, which is based on multi-objective optimization and uses the genetic algorithm in combination with building performance simulations. The framework utilizes EnergyPlus simulation engine and Python programming to implement optimization algorithm analysis and decision support. The framework enhances the process of performance-based facade design, couples simulation and optimization packages, and provides flexible and fast supplement in facade design process by rapid generation of design alternatives
Post-pandemic Office Spaces: : Considerations and Design Strategies for Hybrid Work Environments
This research investigated renovation considerations and design strategies for post-pandemic, hybrid office environment within an academic institution. The focus was on two case-study office spaces that are part of the same organization at the University of Utah, where the existing physical space was insufficient for future growth and non-functional for its novel, hybrid work mode structure. The objective was to evaluate the physical conditions of the existing office spaces, to investigate the employeesâ working patterns and office culture, and to propose renovation strategies that would meet both the current and the projected future needs that support a hybrid work structure.
The study was based on mixed-mode research methods, which included qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods included archival and empirical research of the existing office space conditions, as well as usersâ input through online survey and focus group interviews. Using the latest, as-built construction drawings and current state photographs, 3D BIM models of each of the two office wings were developed, inclusive of their structural elements, partition walls, existing lighting fixture locations and specific furniture arrangements. These models were then used for egress, circulation, daylighting, and existing space planning analysis. Literature review was also conducted, identifying rising trends and design considerations for hybrid office workflow. Surveys and focus group interviews were conducted with current employees of the two offices to evaluate work patterns and space needs through user insight. Meanwhile, quantitative methods included quantitative analysis of the survey and focus group interview results, computational modeling, and visualization of the existing and proposed design strategies, as well as a review and validation of final designâs egress and accessibility compliance. Through several design option iterations, these results were used to provide space planning strategies and recommendations that meet the specific needs of these two office spaces.
The final design, which considered usersâ input regarding team dynamics, work schedules, and specific space and function needs, achieved a significant improvement in balances between team and individual space functions, private and public circulation, access to daylight and accessibility, while respecting the existing wall partitions, egress paths and occupancy counts. Moreover, the design solutions provided inclusive, comfortable, and functional spaces that catered to the specific work culture and individualized needs of employees. While this research focused on two specific case-studies, results demonstrate that through a user-integrated approach, significant improvements can be achieved to provide well-functioning spaces and a more comfortable and inclusive working environment. Additionally, the presented process that focuses on user-input and participation in the renovation design process can be applied to other existing, traditionally structured office spaces when transitioning to a hybrid office structure
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Integration of Building Energy Modeling (BEM) and Building Information Modeling (BIM): Workflows and Case Study
Building Energy Modeling (BEM) intends to quantify buildingsâ energy performance to help designers and architects better understand the environmental impacts of their decisions. Building Information Modeling (BIM) refers to a digital, model-based representation, where information about building design can be shared among different stakeholders and used during all stages of buildingsâ lifecycle. The purpose of this research was to investigate integration of BEM and BIM, using two analysis tools. Green Building Studio (GBS) and Sefaira are two performance analysis software programs, which can be used both in the form of BIM plug-in/built-in tools, as well as web applications to analyze and quantify energy performance of buildings. To capture their level of integration with BIM, an existing Campus Recreation Building on UMass Amherst campus was used as a case study to evaluate modeling processes, requirements, and workflows. Comparative analysis between modeled and actual energy consumption data was also performed to analyze accuracy of the different simulation programs. This paper discusses each tool capabilities and drawbacks in providing accurate energy analysis procedures and results
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Experimental Study of Operating Conditions and Integration of Thermoelectric Materials in Facade Systems
This article discusses the application of thermoelectric (TE) materials in building facade systems, which can be used to create active exterior enclosures. TEs are semiconductors that have the ability to produce a temperature gradient when electricity is applied, exploiting the Peltier effect, or to generate a voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient, utilizing the Seebeck effect. TEs can be used for heating, cooling, or electricity generation. In this research, heating and cooling applications of these novel systems were explored. We designed and constructed two prototypes, where one prototype was used to study integration of TE modules (TEMs) as stand-alone elements in the facade, and one prototype was used to explore integration of TEMs and heat sinks in facade assemblies. Both prototypes were tested for heating and cooling potential, using a thermal chamber to represent four different exterior environmental conditions (â18°,â1°,16°, and 32°C). The interior ambient conditions were kept constant at room temperature. The supplied voltage to facade-integrated TEMs varied from 1 to 8 V. We measured temperature outputs of TEMs for all investigated thermal conditions using thermal imaging, which are discussed in this article. The results indicate that while stand-alone facade-integrated TEMs are not stable, addition of heat sinks improves their performance drastically. Facade-integrated TEMs with heatsinks showed that they would operate well in heating and cooling modes under varying exterior environmental conditions
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Negative life-cycle emissions growth rate through retrofit of existing institutional buildings: Energy Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of a Case Study of University Dormitory Renovation
ABSTRACT: Buildings account for about one fifth of the world`s total delivered energy use, and thus methods for reducing energy consumption and carbon emission associated with buildings are crucial elements for climate change mitigation and sustainability. Voluntary challenges, mandates, and, particularly, public institutions have articulated these goals in terms of striving for ânet-zero energyâ buildings, and mandated measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Typically, the definition of net-zero and other energy consumption reduction goals only consider operational energy. By ignoring embodied energy during the entire life-cycle of the building (manufacture, use and demolition of materials and systems), such goals and mandates may drive suboptimal decisions in terms of cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reductions. Many new buildings will require decades of net-zero operational energy consumption to negate climate change and other environmental impacts during the construction process. Additionally, if a new building is part of a portfolio of institutional buildings, even with net-zero energy consumption, the most optimistic scenario is the eventual reduction of emission growth rate to zero. A more productive approach for reducing the life-cycle energy in a building and associated negative environmental impacts may be to focus on retrofitting existing buildings. However, since large investments in existing building stock can be difficult to justify and approve in an institutional context, fixed portions of life-cycle costs also highlight the importance of maximizing the operational energy impact associated with any renovation. This study uses life-cycle analysis to evaluate efficacy of energy retrofits for an existing institutional building located on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. Using data, energy models, and life-cycle analysis tools for an actual energy retrofit on an existing residential building, this study will show how poor controls and failing to address thermal bridges can affect our model expectations. By developing a process for life cycle based evaluating retrofit options this study will explore the implication of producing an institution-wide negative net-energy growth rate
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UMass Amherst Green Building Guidelines v.2 and LEEDv4
Facilities & Campus Services supports sustainability and energy conservation initiatives by providing in-house resources to campus staff as well as designers, contractors and other consultants working with the University. The UMass Amherst Green Building Guidelines v2 and LEED v4 provide a framework for approaching new construction and major renovation projects at UMass Amherst that are undergoing LEED v4 certification by focusing the conversation on those green building aspects that are most important to the campus. They are intended to be the beginning of a dynamic conversation between designers, environmental consultants and constructors, university stakeholders, and users of new high performance buildings
Information Modeling in Architectural Design: Collaborative Environment for Decision-Making Process
Architectural design is a complex process involving numerous factors. Historically, designers have been researching and developing methods to aid the design process, and to represent the building as a three-dimensional object occupying space by different meansâwords, models, drawings, perspectives, specifications, etc. The new trend in architectural practice is that buildings are being designed as three-dimensional objects with certain properties and attributes, and the information about them can be exchanged and shared. The existing tools are usually focused on a specific task, such as drafting, simulations, structural analysis, project management, collaboration, etc. These are always distinct, complex, and often require high level of involvement from the user. Moreover, the results from one application cannot be analyzed from another perspective, resulting in time loss and inefficiency. The problem is that architects usually do not spend a lot of project time in the early phases and quick decisions are required, but the tools do not support that process. In this paper, web-based application for decision-making process in architectural design is discussed, focusing on early-phase schematic design. The application integrates several functions necessary for schematic design. The benefit of this approach is that it assists the designer in the process and aids the decision-making
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Comparative Analysis of Flooring Materials: Environmental and Economic Performance
The environmental impact of flooring materials is the aggregate of impacts of raw material properties and composition across all stages of the product life cycle including extraction, manufacturing, packaging and transportation, use and disposal. In this analysis, linoleum, vinyl composition tile (VCT), nylon carpet tile, composite marble tile, ceramic tile, terrazzo, cork and rubber flooring are compared. Life cycle assessment is performed for these selected materials, where both environmental and economic factors are examined. It is important to understand performance of various materials when design factors are changed. Therefore, this analysis compares environmental impact when design requirements are varied and material characteristics are constant. Past research is presented, where relative results generally agree among several studies. However, various methodologies have been utilized for lifecycle assessment with differing measurements for environmental performance, thus comparative analysis is not permissible. Economic factors have not been reported in previous studies, therefore, the primary objective of this study is to investigate environmental and economic performance of various flooring materials. Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) software is utilized to measure combinatory performance of the selected materials for raw material acquisition, manufacturing process, transportation, installation, use, recycling and waste management. Three scenarios are investigated, where initially equal weights are given to both environmental and economic factors. Second case is primarily associated with economic and third with the environmental performance. Results indicate that cork, linoleum and rubber flooring materials should be considered when environmental factors are the primary concern and when both environmental and economic factors are equally weighted
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Innovations in Architecture (invited lecture)
This presentation focused on innovations in architecture, and how to integrate research into innovative architectural design
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Integrating Parametric Design and Building Performance Simulations
This paper discusses methods for integrating parametric design with building performance analysis procedures, specifically presenting tools and design methodologies that are suitable for whole building design. In this research, an ideal framework for integration of parametric and performance analysis procedures was developed. Then, the framework was tested using existing software applications, including building information modeling (BIM), non-BIM, parametric design and building performance analysis applications. Current applications that can integrate some form of building performance simulation with parametric modelling include Rhino 3D (non-BIM), Revit (BIM), and SketchUp (non-BIM). Revit and Rhino each have visual programming plugins to aid in the creation of parametric forms. In this research, three different workflows were tested. Specifically, Honeybee and Ladybug (for Rhino 3D), Insight 360 (for Revit) and Sefaira (for Revit) were evaluated. A case study building was used to test and evaluate the workflows, interoperability, modeling strategies and results. Three different building performance aspects were analyzed for each workflow: 1) energy modeling, 2) solar radiation analysis, and 3) daylighting. Simulation results from energy modeling, solar radiation and daylight simulations were recorded and analyzed. However, besides simulation results, the paper compares modeling procedures, parametric capabilities of investigated applications, ease of integration and interoperability. The results show a promising course for integrating parametric design with building performance simulations
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