Simulation-supported shading design optimisation for a multi-storey building with passive cooling

Abstract

This contribution reports on an ongoing research effort to reduce the heating demand and overheating risk in the cold and warm seasons respectively. A simulation-supported optimisation strategy for life cycle oriented buildings was pursued, resulting also in improved ratings in terms of the concurrently calculated mandatory Austrian energy certificate. Thereby, a range of different building types was considered, including a multi-storey building that uses locally available ecological construction materials and renewable energy. Apart from the heating demand of the building, the indoor environment for selected living units was specifically examined to avoid overheating risk and to increase the thermal comfort for the occupants. To reduce the indoor temperatures for different thermal zones, the dimensions of external shading elements were investigated. Likewise, natural ventilation scenarios were explored to improve summer-time thermal comfort conditions. The results suggest that by using properly dimensioned external fixed shading devices, especially in combination with natural ventilation, the indoor temperatures and also the thermal comfort can be improved significantly, while maintaining the passive house standard according to the Austrian energy certificate.