Low Energy Building Design Research Articles

Facilities management of passively controlled buildings

The trend in facilities management towards outsourcing is in conflict with the current trend towards holistic low energy building design. Designers are busily “designing out” building services, in favour of new passive/low energy technologies which are integrated into the building envelope. A lack of understanding of each other’s discipline allows designers to produce “passively” controlled buildings which are difficult for facilities managers to manage. Examines the nature of the conflict between holistic “passive” building design and facilities management. Includes a case study based on ten recently constructed passive/mixed‐mode buildings. The case study appraises each building with respect to facilities management, and identifies specific problem areas that could be improved and which are in need of further investigation.

Simulations and knowledge-based computer-aided architectural design (CAAD) systems for passive and low energy architecture

This paper describes a methodology for supporting computationally all phases of an energy-conscious design and evaluation process, by combining procedural simulation and knowledge-based heuristic methods in one integrated system. Based on this methodology knowledge-based computer-aided architectural design systems for the design and evaluation of solar and low-energy buildings are presented. The knowledge-base contains the heuristic rules for the design of passive solar buildings. Whenever possible, the knowledge-base guides the designer through the decision-making process. Yet, if the rules of thumb are not acceptable for the particular design problem, the knowledge-based system guides the architect by using procedural simulation models.

Effective use of building mass

Recent research by BRE under the DoE Construction Sponsorship Directorate's Energy-Related Environmental Issues (EnREI) Programme has clearly shown that the dominant factor in the successful design of low energy buildings is the minimisation or avoidance of air conditioning. That is not to say that it is not possible to design a very energy efficient air conditioned building; it simply reflects the fact that if, by judicial design, a naturally ventilated building can create a comfortable working environment, there will be a significant reduction in energy use compared to a solution based on active systems. The key to success in buildings that minimise or avoid air conditioning is the provision of acceptable summertime temperatures, i.e. the avoidance of uncomfortably high internal temperatures. Much is currently made of the value of utilising a building's fabric as a thermal buffer to reduce summertime temperature swings. However, the effects are often considered in a notional or ad hoc fashion because of the lack of authoritative design tools to “measure” or “design in” the impact of exposed building mass. This paper will address the use of building thermal mass. It will illustrate the potential (and the limitations) of simply exposing the building structure to the work space, and will consider two innovative alternatives to this conventional approach that offer significant potential for the future.

The determinants of architectural form in modern buildings within the Arab world

Throughout the Arab World there are many fine examples of how man has ingeniously created buildings which not only provide an enduring practical utility but an aesthetic for which Islamic architecture is well renowned. Currently there is a danger that because the economic situation of major oil producing states has dramatically changed in such a short time, rapid development will neglect the lessons enshrined in not only the heritage of Islamic architecture but of world architecture and adopt a solely modern technological approach. The cornerstone of this thesis is that human development is the main priority. Buildings should enrich the lives of people and for this they need to be in harmony with the climate and the uses for which they are built and the culture that has evolved. Starting with a succinct review of Islamic architecture, comparisons are made with other kinds of architecture in order to distil the basic ingredients of architectural form which work in different climates. A climatic analysis is made of the countries comprising the Arab world so that a pattern of factors can be established for consideration in any new building design. As fossil fuel resources are depleted and populations grow, buildings will need to become less fuel dependent. Aspects of energy options and low energy building design are discussed.

The commercial evaluation of low energy design

SYNOPSIS An approach to the economic evaluation of low energy building design is outlined in a commercial context. The potential for energy saving in office buildings through energy efficient design approaches is examined together with the opportunity for the realization of this potential by evaluating the patterns of energy use and costs in office buildings. The issue of the cost effectiveness of investment in energy efficiency measures is then followed by an outline of an approach to the economic evaluation of low energy office building design. The paper concludes with some examples of energy efficiency measures and a summary of key points.