Summary
Integrated Energy Design of Large-Scale Buildings Summary of PhD thesis by Michael Jørgensen The hypothesis of the project is that design choices such as geometry, orientation and organisation made in the early concept stage have a large impact on energy consumption, indoor air quality and building economy. The objective of the PhD thesis is to examine the influence of building geometry on the total energy consumption and the indoor air quality. In addition, the thesis looks into how to integrate knowledge on building physics in the early stages of design. The thesis presents the results of three years’ research where focus has been on the early collaboration between architects and engineers in the first weeks of the concept development. This is when design decisions in relation to volume, orientation and materials are taken. In order to apply the energy performance of the building as an active design tool, the PhD project suggests that there is a need for new methods, strategies and technologies to support and guide the architect in the process towards making design decisions which reduce energy consumption without compromising on comfort, economy or aesthetics. The thesis identifies the engineering experience gained through a number of design projects where engineering know-how has been implemented in the design process in various ways.
In addition, the thesis documents the knowledge gained through simulations of geometry and daylight on large-scale buildings. Geometry has a large influence on the total energy consumption of a building. The building geometry primarily determines the amount of solar energy that hits the building. By optimising the building geometry in relation to function and solar energy, the thesis documents a possible energy reduction of 30-50 %. Studies of three buildings illustrate that the daylight strategies formulated by architects and engineers in the early design process correspond with the users’ experience of the buildings after completion. Further, the studies show that daylight strategies based on spatial considerations receive more positive feedback than daylight strategies aiming for 200 lux. The conclusion of the thesis is that simulation tools can provide important and detailed information on daylight and can be used to evaluate different solutions. However, simulations should not be carried out until after the design strategy for use of light has been established. In this connection, it is essential that the engineer understands and applies the spatial qualities of daylight.
DESIGN WITH KNOWLEDGE |
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