Integrating Virtual Reality and Energy Analysis with BIM to Optimize Window-to-Wall Ratio and Building’s Orientation for Age-in-Place Design at the Conceptual Stage

This study unfolds an innovative approach aiming to address the critical role of building design in global energy consumption, focusing on optimizing the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), since buildings account for approximately 30% of total energy consumed worldwide. The greatest contributors to energy expenditure in buildings are internal artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems. The WWR, determined by the proportion of the building’s glazed area to its wall area, is a significant factor influencing energy efficiency and minimizing energy load. This study introduces the development of a semi-automated computer model designed to offer a real-time, interactive simulation environment, fostering improving communication and engagement between designers and owners. The said model serves to optimize both the WWR and building orientation to align with occupants’ needs and expectations, subsequently reducing annual energy consumption and enhancing the overall building energy performance. The integrated model incorporates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR), and Energy Analysis tools deployed at the conceptual design stage, allowing for the amalgamation of owners’ inputs in the design process and facilitating the creation of more realistic and effective design strategies.

Reassessment of fenestration characteristics for residential buildings in hot climates: energy and economic analysis

This paper attempts to resolve the reported contradiction in the literature about the characteristics of high-performance/cost-effective fenestration of residential buildings,particularly in hot climates.The considered issues are the window glazing property(ten commercial glazing types),facade orientation(four main orientations),window-to-wall ratio(WWR)(0.2–0.8),and solar shading overhangs and side-fins(nine shading conditions).The results of the simulated runs reveal that the glazing quality has a superior effect over the other fenestration parameters and controls their effect on the energy consumption of residential buildings.Thus,using low-performance windows on buildings yields larger effects of WWR,facade orientation,and solar shading than high-performance windows.As the WWR increases from 0.2 to 0.8,the building energy consumption using the low-performance window increases 6.46 times than that using the highperformance window.The best facade orientation is changed from north to south according to the glazing properties.In addition,the solar shading need is correlated as a function of a window-glazing property and WWR.The cost analysis shows that the high-performance windows without solar shading are cost-effective as they have the largest net present cost compared to lowperformance windows with or without solar shading.Accordingly,replacing low-performance windows with high-performance ones,in an existing residential building,saves about 12.7 MWh of electricity and 11.05 tons of CO_(2) annually.