Architectural design evaluation under bioclimatic issues

Abstract

A well-known fact is that through an adequate architectural design we can reduce the demand for energy in buildings, increase energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy, in particular solar energy. In this paper we will discuss the need for Architectural Design Evaluation Criteria aiming at describing and comparing different possibilities in this field thus enabling designers or prospective property buyers to balance and understand the response level of different solutions. In the frame of a wider research project, several bioclimatic issues are being considered urban planning, site location, building and plot position and form, room distribution, solar access, glazing, solar protection and shading, opaque envelope design, potential for passive heating, natural cooling and natural ventilation in terms of energy consumption, thermal comfort, daylighting and air quality, in order to establish relevant evaluation criteria. The main objectives of the methodology under preparation and some examples of evaluation criteria will be presented. In the first step of this study, only residential buildings will be considered. This work tries to address the need for an extensive but compatible with a practical use assessment, applying some simplifications but without losing the required precision. The methodology will be formatted in order to become a useful tool, both for building quality evaluation and for building certification.