Open Window Research Articles

Rapid sensorimotor adaptation to auditory midbrain silencing in free-flying bats.

Echolocating bats rely on rapid processing of auditory information to guide moment-to-moment decisions related to echolocation call design and flight path selection. The fidelity of sonar echoes, however, can be disrupted in natural settings due to occlusions, noise, and conspecific jamming signals. Behavioral sensorimotor adaptation to external blocks of relevant cues has been studied extensively, but little is known about adaptations that mitigate internal sensory flow interruption. How do bats modify their sensory-guided behaviors in natural tasks when central auditory processing is interrupted? Here, we induced internal sensory interruptions by reversibly inactivating excitatory neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) using ligand-activated inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). Bats were trained to navigate through one of three open windows in a curtain to obtain a food reward, while their echolocation and flight behaviors were quantified with synchronized ultrasound microphone and stereo video recordings. Under control conditions, bats reliably steered through the open window, only occasionally contacting the curtain edge. Suppressing IC excitatory activity elevated hearing thresholds, disrupted overall performance in the task, increased the frequency of curtain contact, and led to striking compensatory sensorimotor adjustments. DREADDs-treated bats modified flight trajectories to maximize returning echo information and adjusted sonar call design to boost detection of obstacles. Sensorimotor adaptations appeared immediately and did not change over successive trials, suggesting that these behavioral adaptations are mediated through existing neural circuitry. Our findings highlight the remarkable rapid adaptive strategies bats employ to compensate for internal sensory interruptions to effectively navigate their environments.

Influence of Subjective Factors on Window Use in Maternity Hospitals in Spring

Poor indoor air quality in maternity hospitals can spread respiratory diseases; however, limited research exists on modifiable factors like occupant behavior. This study explores subjective drivers of window-opening in maternity wards, using surveys and on-site measurements. Results show 71.4% of respondents stay less than 14 days, leading to dynamic and irregular window behavior. Comfort, particularly thermal comfort, air quality, and circulation, is the main driver for window operations. Especially at low temperatures, pregnant women’s comfort plays a critical role, while other factors increase in importance as temperatures rise. The results show that environmental factors drive window-opening, while indoor comfort drives closing. Occupants are more tolerant to humidity than thermal discomfort, but window adjustments are random. Moreover, respondents prioritize others’ needs in closing windows, where outdoor noise often serves as a key factor. The time also had a greater impact on both window opening and closing decisions, while field measurements confirm that time influences window-opening more than closing. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) analysis of the questionnaire data for ‘comfortable sensation’ showed that only ‘air circulation’ and ‘air humidity’ were correlated with comfort, whilst ‘heat sensation’ was the least correlated. The possible reason is that the questionnaire was conducted in the spring, when temperatures were within the comfort range, and therefore, occupants were more concerned with other factors. Window operations in maternity wards are a collective strategy for natural ventilation. This study shows that the factors affecting window use in maternity hospitals are different from other buildings, providing useful ideas for improving maternity ward design.

Perforated plate ventilation system and dynamics of infectious respiratory particle transmission

AbstractWith the removal of indoor pollutants and the assurance of air quality emerging as critical research topics, the optimization of the internal environment in offices, where people stay for extended periods, is essential for controlling the spread of infectious respiratory particles. Frequent movements of personnel and the operation of doors and windows within offices significantly impact the mechanisms of droplet transmission, warranting further investigation. This study employs computational fluid dynamics simulations to explore the droplet dispersion characteristics and pollutant removal efficiency of the simplified model of perforated plate ventilation system (PPVS) (the diameter of the air supply openings has been reasonably simplified and uniformly set to 0.02 m) in office settings, as well as the impact of dynamic door operation scenarios on droplet spread and concentrations in breathing zones. To optimize the ventilation system's pollutant removal efficiency, airflow velocities (2.86, 3.18, and 5.00 m/s) are varied, with simulations conducted at the optimal velocity of 3.18 m/s. The effects of continuous door operations, door‐opening directions (towards the office and towards the isolation room), and opening speeds (π/4, π/6, π/8, and π/10 rad/s) are also examined, revealing significant impacts on droplet spread. Results indicate that PPVS effectively reduces indoor pollutant concentrations at all tested airflow velocities, with the optimal speed identified as 3.18 m/s. Additionally, door‐opening direction and speed can significantly influence droplet spread. Opening doors towards isolation rooms at smaller angles (less than 30°) effectively reduces droplet concentrations in personnel breathing zones, thereby mitigating the risk of droplet transmission. Faster door‐opening speeds also contribute to lower droplet concentrations in these zones. This innovative study explores the impacts of PPVS and dynamic door operation dynamics on droplet transmission during respiratory disease outbreaks, providing valuable theoretical insights and technical support for disease prevention and indoor air quality improvement.

Self-Disclosure in Interpersonal Communication on Victims of the Domestic Violence (KDRT) in Medan

This study aims to analyze self-disclosure in interpersonal communication and the causes of the victim's decision to self-disclose, so that the victim filed a complaint against the violence she experienced to the KOMNAS Perempuan Partner Service Institute. The research method used descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through interviews with eight main informants and six triangulation informants. The results showed that self-disclosure in interpersonal communication was carried out to the people closest to the victim, namely friends, biological mothers, adoptive mothers, nephews, and lawyers who handled the case, by conveying messages in the form of domestic events aimed at getting a way out of solving the problem, through direct and indirect communication channels (WhatsApp), causing effects, namely awareness of the right to protection from the state, the courage to sue and report the perpetrator, get help with case fees, the willingness of the communicant to become a trial witness, and the acceptance of the victim to return to live with the communicant. Two informants were in the open window because they realized the violence they experienced and intended to disclose it, two informants were in the blind window because they did not realize the violence they experienced, and four informants were in the hidden window because they realized the violence they experienced but had hidden it. Self-disclosure was done by four informants openly and four informants covertly

Effect of natural ventilation on aerosol transmission and infection risk in a minibus

High passenger density, prolonged exposure, and close interpersonal distance create a high infection risk (IR) in minibuses. While improving natural ventilation induced by turbulent airflows is essential for controlling IR in minibuses, comprehensive studies on its effectiveness are lacking. To address this, we conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations studies coupling indoor–outdoor turbulent airflows to examine the impact of window opening locations, window opening sizes, and initial droplet diameters (dp) on the ventilation airflow and dispersion of pathogen-laden droplets. Results show that the surrounding turbulent flow patterns create higher surface pressure at bus rear than bus front, which is a key factor influencing bus ventilation. When all windows are closed, ventilation is primarily provided by skylights at bus rooftops. Ventilation through only two skylights resulted in an air change rate per hour (ACH) of 17.55 h−1, leading to high IR of passengers. In contrast, fully opening front and rear windows increases ACH by 27.28-fold to 478.79 h−1, significantly reducing IR by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared to skylight ventilation. Expanding window opening sizes can effectively enhance ventilation when both front and rear windows open (attributed to the pumping effect), while is ineffective when only front windows open. To reduce IR in minibuses, we recommend opening multiple windows at the bus front and rear. Even if the total opening area of the front and rear windows is only two-thirds of that of the front window, its ACH is 2.8 times more than only opening front windows.

Associations between VOCs and childhood asthma in Shanghai, China: impacts of daily behaviors

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in indoor environments may have negative impacts on childhood health. However, the associations between indoor VOCs and childhood asthma, considering daily behaviors, have rarely been conducted. Based on the case-control study with field measurement, we collected air samples from 358 children’s bedrooms. Concentrations of VOCs in air samples were measured by chemical treatment and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Logistic regression models were applied to investigate the associations between VOCs with childhood asthma. Meanwhile, stratification analysis was performed to reveal the influences of daily behaviors (window opening during night, using household chemical products, and bedroom cleaning) on the target associations. A new assessment indicator considering multiple VOCs was proposed to investigate the combined effects of multiple VOCs on childhood asthma. High concentrations of toluene (the highest adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 2.59), o-xylene (AOR: 2.01), xylene (2.24), dodecane (the highest AOR was 2.57), pentadecane (2.82), hexadecane (2.04), α-pinene (1.99), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) (the highest AOR was 2.94), and the new indicator of aromatics (the highest AOR was 2.59) were significantly associated with childhood asthma. The daily behaviors of the residents can significantly affect the target associations, with the window opening during night having the most significant effect, followed by bedroom cleaning and using household chemical products. Families with lifetime asthmatic children may have specific avoidance behaviors for the potential environmental factors on children’s health. These behaviors could explain that VOCs exposure had significant associations with the decreased odds of childhood asthma.

Ventilation in school and students’ health after outbreak of COVID-19: A systematic literature review

Ventilation is one of the factors that support the health of students needed to support the goals of education. The objective of this study is to analyze how ventilation at school impacts the health of students. Scopus and Web of Science were used to retrieve published articles on ventilation at school and students’ health. The search method used the keywords “ventilation” OR “Indoor air pollution” OR “Indoor environment quality” AND “School” AND “Student” OR “Children” AND “Health”, from 2019- May 2023. The ventilation in schools researched were ventilation methods, insufficient or lack of ventilation, and the frequency of opening windows. The air quality parameters studied in classrooms were Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2); Particulate matter 10 (PM10); Particulate matter 2,5 (PM2.5); Particulate matter (PM1); Ozone (O3), benzene (C6H6), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The results showed that the diseases identified in students as a result of poor ventilation were tiredness, bronchitis, symptoms of asthma, risk of infection, rhinitis, etc. We conclude that as ventilation reduces indoor air pollutants, thus related to student health, it should be prioritized to fulfil the requirements for the health of students.

Geopolymers for Space Applications Part II: Synthesis and Physical Characterization

This Technical Note presents the continuation of the results regarding the synthesis, and physical and rheological evaluation of geopolymers for space applications. In the first part, the ability of these geopolymers to resist cosmic radiation was evaluated. This second part of the research aims to present the synthesis of the geopolymers, their physical and rheological evaluation, and the fabrication of panels for placement in nanosatellites and deployer systems. Manufacturing the 2 mm-thick geopolymer panel proved to be quite a challenge due to the nature of geopolymers. Three geopolymer formulations MKG-01, MKG-02, and MKG-03 were synthesized with an adequate balance of fluidity and malleability required to manufacture the panels. The formulations offered an open window of approximately 8 h. The mass loss in the formulations was closely related to the solid/liquid ratio of the formulation. The MKG-01 presented lower viscosity and low shear stress for handling, indicating a more homogeneous dispersion than the more viscous samples MKG-02 and MKG-03.

Analysis of ventilation and infiltration rates using physics-informed neural networks: Impact of space operation and meteorological factors

This study presents the development and application of a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) model to estimate ventilation and infiltration rates using long-term observation data, addressing the challenge of dynamically varying space operations and meteorological conditions. A central research equestion is: How can we accurately estimate ventilation rates while accounting for these time-varying factors? Traditional tracer gas methods require numerous measurements to accurately characterize air change rates (ACR) under dynamic space operations and varying meteorological conditions. Our PINN model integrates these fluctuating factors, providing a more precise analysis of their transient effects on ACR. We employed Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) to interpret the sensitivity and contributions of each influencing factor. Our findings indicate that the state of windows and doors significantly affects spatial operations, while wind speed and direction are the most impactful meteorological factors. The interaction between open windows and doors results in higher ventilation rates compared to their individual effects. Wind-related factors cause ACR variations exceeding 200 %, with the wind direction relative to the office window playing a crucial role. Additionally, external temperature and indoor-outdoor temperature differences show a strong correlation with ACR. However, limitations include the lack of outdoor CO2 measurements and the assumption of uniform indoor CO2 levels, which may affect accuracy. Generalizability is also limited due to the specificity of the space studied. Future work should incorporate outdoor CO2 data and multiple spaces to enhance model applicability. This study contributes to optimizing ventilation strategies for better indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension in an adult with patent foramen ovale

The article is devoted to the clinical case of combined idiopathic pulmonary hypertension with an open foramen ovale of the atrial septum in a young man of 21 years old with progressive decrease in lung ventilation function. The relationship of pulmonary arterial hypertension with an open foramen ovale of the atrial septum is nearly not described in the literature, as it is rarely found in clinical practice. According to the classification, pulmonary hypertension is divided into idiopathic (primary), secondary and pulmonary hypertension caused by other causes. In the pathogenesis of any PAH, an important role belongs to a complex of vascular changes. Verification of vascular changes is carried out histologically. Variants of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension are plexiform and thrombotic arteriopathy, veno-occlusive disease, capillary hemangiomatosis. An open foramen ovale as a structural anomaly of the adult heart (a vestige of embryonic blood circulation) causes a variety of hemodynamic disorders that can affect the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. Because of this, preclinical observation of a combination of plexiform and thrombotic arteriopathy with a patent foramen ovale of the interatrial septum in a young man of 21 years old and an attempt to determine the role of an open oval window in the progression of pulmonary hypertension and its effect on treatment is of interest. The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension was made based on the clinical picture, laboratory parameters, echocardiography and histological examination of pulmonary vessels. The article discusses the importance of a patent foramen ovale in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.

Opening windows: embracing new perspectives and practices in natural resource social sciences

Opening windows: embracing new perspectives and practices in natural resource social sciences

Indoor Environment in Kindergartens Located in the North of Portugal: Evaluation of Thermal Comfort and Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Adequate school buildings are essential for the development of children, young people, and adolescents, as they must provide conditions that support their well-being and health. A healthy and comfortable indoor environment is critical for students’ performance in the learning process. This study aims to evaluate the indoor environment in kindergartens located in northern Portugal, with a primary focus on thermal comfort and indoor air quality. To achieve this, five buildings with varying construction characteristics were monitored, with temperature and relative humidity measurements taken in classrooms of different orientations over time. Additionally, the outdoor climate was also monitored. Based on the collected data, thermal comfort was evaluated using the adaptive model defined by the European standard EN 16798. Continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration was also conducted in three of these buildings. The results reveal significant heterogeneity among the buildings, demonstrating the influence of construction characteristics on the interior thermal conditions. The recorded temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 27 °C, highlighting a substantial variability in performance across the different buildings. Particularly, the orientation and size of glazed openings, together with the lack of thermal insulation in the building envelope, especially in the roof, were found to have an important impact on the thermal comfort of the occupants. Furthermore, a relationship was observed between the daily maximum carbon dioxide concentration and the outdoor temperature, as a result of users’ efforts to minimize uncontrolled air infiltration, by limiting the opening of doors and windows, with consequences in the air exchange between the interior and exterior.

A study on indoor air quality at daycare centers using IoT environmental sensors

ABSTRACT Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major concern at daycare centers, due to the weaker immune system of children. Although IAQ is typically measured in accordance with the ISO-16000 standard, environmental sensors have recently become widely used due to their ability to consistently monitor air quality at a lower cost. In this study, We installed IoT sensors indoors and outdoors at ten daycare centers to measure PM(PM2.5, PM10), CO2, temperature, and humidity, as well as window opening-closing sensors to identify ventilation behavior. Indoor PM concentrations were consistently lower than outdoor levels, increasing from 7:00 AM, peaking between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, and decreasing during nap time (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM). CO2 levels were generally higher indoors than outdoors, peaking at 2:00 PM before decreasing. Windows were opened more frequently at 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, and 3:00 PM. The correlation analysis revealed that significant factors influencing CO2 concentration were window opening duration. Ventilation rates per person at the daycare centers ranged from 1.77 to 10.69 m3/h, below both Korean and ASHRAE guidelines. The results of this study can provide valuable insights for developing strategies to improve indoor air quality in daycare centers that depend on window ventilation.

Determining the thermal comfort of naturally ventilated state colleges located in Madhya Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT Through the establishment of optimal thermal conditions, educational institutions can develop an environment favourable to learning, concentration, and academic achievements. Additionally, comfortable temperatures can contribute to the overall well-being and satisfaction of both students and teachers, fostering a positive educational experience. In this study, we aimed to determine the impacts of environmental factors on students’ thermal comfort in three state colleges of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 784 students participated in a questionnaire study conducted during May (Summer season), August (Monsoon season), October (Autumn season), and December (Winter season) of 2023 to assess occupants’ degree of clothing, temperature preference, and metabolic rates. Indoor and outdoor temperatures, relative humidity, and air velocity were measured using an anemometer. Throughout the study period, the thermal comfort range was determined to be between 21.5°C and 28.5°C, with 25°C as the neutral temperature. It has been noted that the clothing pattern varies during the year (0.47-0.85 Clo). Additionally, implementation of the adaptation strategies, such as switching on and off fans or opening windows, helped lessen discomfort in the classroom. The findings indicate that, in contrast to the other seasons, the summers brought exceptionally high levels of heat discomfort to the occupants.

Comparative Study of Air Pollution with Ayurveda and its Management

Background Environmental pollution is increasing day by day and imposing severe and irreversible damage to the world. Air pollution is one of the biggest threats for the environment and affecting humans, animals, crops, cities, forests, aquatic ecosystems. Environmental Toxicology is the science concerned with study of harmful effects of various chemical, biological and physical agents on living organisms. In Ayurveda Charakacharya has briefly described the environmental health in chapter named Janpadodhvansaniyavimanam. Ayurveda has a dedicated branch called Agadatantra which deals with the toxicological aspects of living entities of environment. Aims and objectives We aim to relate and validate this knowledge pertaining to the air pollution. Material and method the references available regarding the air pollution in classical texts were studied and compared with the available information in the contemporary medical literatures. Signs of air pollution given in the text compared and studied with signs of Air pollution. Discussion Ayurveda terms of Vikrut and Prakrut Vayu described in Granthas are found to be relatable with contemporary findings. Conclusion Air pollution described in Ayurveda are very precise and explanatory. Management of air pollution with this ancient science are the new open windows for healthy air breathing for every living organism.

Characterizing indoor air quality and identifying factors influencing air quality at home microenvironment in Dhaka city

In low- and middle-income countries, indoor air pollution stands as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality, prompting research into the factors influencing exposure at home in urban environments. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the indoor air quality and identifying factors influencing indoor air quality which help in targeting intervention to reduce indoor home air quality. The study conducted in Dhaka city involved 43 homes, where continuous monitoring of PM2.5 concentration was carried out over a 24-h period. Various factors related to home characteristics (i.e., home area and cooking fuel type), ventilation practices (i.e., duration of window opening), and indoor activities (i.e., cooking frequency, daily average cooking duration per meal, cleaning, smoking and use of mosquito coil and spray) were assessed to explore their impact on indoor air quality. Through the multiple linear regression model, the relationship between the factors and indoor pollutant concentrations was analyzed. The average PM2.5 concentration recorded in this investigation was five time higher in comparison to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 24-h guideline level for ambient air pollution. Four factors including outdoor air, home area, cooking duration and cleaning frequency were found to be significantly linked to indoor concentrations, collectively explaining 64 % of the variability in indoor PM2.5 levels. Outdoor air infiltration emerged as the most influential predictor of indoor levels, contributing significantly to indoor concentrations. The identified factors could assist in targeting interventions to reduce microenvironmental PM2.5 concentration at home.

Statistical analysis of natural and mechanical ventilation performance in improving indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and perceived air quality in a healthcare facility

Ventilation strategies in healthcare facilities are mainly directed towards mechanical systems. Due to patients’ preferences or the necessity of terminal reheat/recool, Air Handler Units are often turned off or windows are opened when mechanical systems are active. This leads to poor IAQ, nosocomial infections, and energy loss. Besides, ventilation systems are not typically intended to optimize user satisfaction. Using field measurements in 140 spaces, survey studies, and statistical analysis, this study compares ventilation strategies in providing IAQ, thermal comfort, and Perceived Air Quality as an indicator of user satisfaction. 315 samples were collected for air velocity, air temperature, relative humidity, PAQ, odor intensity, and VOC concentrations. Lowest to highest pollutant concentrations were observed respectively in mechanical ventilation with two open windows, mechanical ventilation with one open window, natural ventilation with two open windows, mechanical ventilation with closed windows, natural ventilation with one open window, and nonventilated spaces. There was no evidence of an effect of ventilation strategies on environmental parameters and user satisfaction. Users’ thermal comfort and air quality satisfaction were not guaranteed even when ventilation rate, pollutant concentrations, and environmental parameters were within the permissible range. Findings support the efficient performance of natural ventilation in providing acceptable air quality.

THE IMPACT OF SOLAR RADIATION ON THE TEMPERATURE REGIME OF A ROOM IN WINTER

The article is devoted to the computational studies of the air-thermal state of office premises taking into account the effect of solar radiation coming through window openings. The study was conducted for a room with two windows using two heating devices installed under them. The air-temperature regime of premises in winter, characterized by the highest thermal energy consumption for heat supply, is considered. The study is based on the solution of a three-dimensional nonlinear heat transfer problem described by a system of equations of turbulent momentum and energy transfer. The k-e turbulence model is used to close this system. The results of numarical modeling of the physical situation under study are presented. The research data on the features of the air-thermal state of the premises under solar radiation conditions are given. The results of a comparative analysis of the air-temperature conditions of office premises corresponding to the solution of the specified heat exchange problems in the presence and absence of solar radiation are presented and the effects of solar radiation on the structure of the air flow and the thermal state of the premises are established. It is shown that in the presence of solar radiation, the air flow picture and the character of the temperature fields in the premises change significantly. In particular, in these conditions, the increase in the average temperature of the premises for the studied period is 2.5 °С. The possibility of a certain reduction of the load on the heating system in the presence of solar radiation is noted. Bibl. 17, Fig. 5.

Seismic behavior and failure analysis of prefabricated foamed concrete composite walls for passive houses

In view of the lack of research on the failure mode and seismic behavior of high-performance insulation walls utilizing lightweight concrete as the structural material, this study presents experimental findings from a seismic behavior investigation of prefabricate foamed concrete composite walls (PFCCWs) for passive house in China. The PFCCWs incorporate low thermal conductivity and high-strength foamed concrete, polyurethane, decorative magnesium straw slabs to provide excellent thermal and mechanical properties for prefabricated passive houses in hot summer and cold winter area. The seismic behavior of PFCCWs under different influence factors were elaborated using quasi-static test data and observation of external damage. The lightweight and porous nature of foamed concrete leads to significant crack formation during failure. The findings suggest that the skin effect of magnesium straw slabs and polyurethane impedes crack development and improve the load-bearing capacity with ductility enhancement. Additionally, reducing the aspect ratio and substituting post-cast column concrete with common concrete are effective to improve the seismic behavior. The window opening changes the worst damage area of the wall and notably weakens the seismic behavior. The enhanced integrity of cast-in-place wall leads to the difference in the failure mechanism and increases in load-bearing and deformation capacities. Meanwhile, design suggestions for the foamed concrete insulation walls are also proposed by comparing the failure mode and hysteretic response of various wall types.

Analyzing Passive Design Retrofits using Pareto Front Optimization to Reduce Operational Carbon in Commercial Laboratory Spaces

Buildings are one of the leading sources of carbon emissions in the world. Most of the carbon emissions are released during the operation phase of the building. It is essential for buildings to provide thermal and visual comfort for the users. In the case of existing buildings, it is necessary to offer retrofit solutions so that the operational carbon emissions can be reduced without compromising on the other essential factors. In this study a Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) of passive design strategies was conducted for a commercial laboratory in India situated in a moderate climate zone. The design variables considered for the study are wall and roof insulation, glazing material, window-wall ratio (WWR), depth of shading device and the number of shading devices used. The objective functions are: 1. reduced energy use intensity and operational carbon emissions, 2. increased thermal comfort hours and 3. increased daylight autonomy. Rhinoceros and grasshopper software along with Ladybug and Honeybee plug-ins were used for the study which resulted in 1296 iterations. MOO technique namely Pareto front optimization was used to optimize the objective functions. Out of 1296 solutions (excluding base case), 72 solutions were non-dominated. Two methods are described in the study to identify the recommendations for retrofit. The first method describes a Heuristic method of selection using Design Explorer recommending 5 good solutions. In the second method a factor is evolved to identify the 5 best solutions in sequential order. The overall study recommends the use of EPS insulation for the RCC roof, WWR of 20% on all sides, 3 horizontal shading devices of depth 0.75 m for all window openings. When compared with the base case scenario, this solution minimizes the EUI by 3.7%, maximizes average TCH by 106.6% and maximizes average DA by 66.9%. The overall operational carbon emissions are reduced by 7095.6 kgCO2.