Effect of space layouts on the energy performance of office buildings in three climates. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Tiantian; Jansen, Sabine; Turrin, Michela; Dobbelsteen, Andy van den
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 39(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Space layout -- Daylighting simulation -- Energy simulation -- Energy performance -- Office building; BEP building energy performance -- WWR window-to-wall ratio; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Numerous studies have shown that architectural design affects energy performance significantly. However, the effect of space layouts on building energy performance has not been fully analysed. In this paper, we aim to study the effect of space layouts on energy performance. An office building was used as the reference, and 11 layout variants were proposed and compared for energy performance. Three climates (temperate, cold and tropical) were inspected, with three typical cities (Amsterdam, Harbin and Singapore). Dynamic simulation was conducted for the energy performance assessment integrating daylighting simulation with energy simulation. For each layout, two situations were simulated: one has no shading system, and the other one has an exterior screen for shading. Based on the simulation results, it is found that lighting demand is affected the most by the layout variance, and the resulting maximum difference (difference divided by the highest demand) happens in Harbin, being 46% without shading and 35% with shading. Regarding the sum of the final energy for heating, cooling and lighting, using a heat pump system, the maximum difference is 8% for the layouts both without and with shading system occurring in Amsterdam. Highlights: The energy demand of 11 space layouts for an office building are simulated integrating daylighting and energy simulation. Lighting demand is affected the most by the layout variance, compared to heating and cooling demand. The maximum difference in lighting demand between layouts is 46% without shading and 35% with shading happending in Harbin. The maximum difference in the sum of final energy between layouts is up to 8% occurring in Amsterdam. WWRs and U values are tested for their influence on space layouts' effect on energy performance.