• Energy Research

The validation after HERS BESTEST contains a base model for a single zone, single storey building isolated in Colorado (USA). This base model (ID L100A) is then modified in a series of scenarios targetting different building properties, like glazing ratios, insulation levels, or shading conditions (IDs L110A to L324A and P110A to P150A). The examples are domestic buildings in the UK built with a desire to deliver a space heating demand better than the average of the national stock. These houses are described with the information that would be typically available early in the design process, following a first sketch of solutions that is meant to be influenced with ZEBRA. The dataset corresponds to (1) the ZEBRA tool, (2) its validation and (3) built-in examples. The ZEBRA tool is a novel, super-reduced, pedagogical model for scoping net zero buildings. The validation is after ASHRAE Standard 140-2017 for space heating demand intensity after HERS Bestest (Judkoff & Neymark 1995). The built-in examples are domestic buildings located in the UK and are described in the PDF files and implemented in ZEBRA. The ZIP file contains a blank version of the ZEBRA tool; a readme file; a folder containing example tasks (as PDF files) and solutions using the ZEBRA tool; and a folder containing a validation suite for the tool. The data is stored in plain-text files (either CSV or MD files, encoded in UTF-8) and spreadsheets (xlsx, Microsoft Excel 365, Version 2107 Build 14228.20226).

The validation after HERS BESTEST contains a base model for a single zone, single storey building isolated in Colorado (USA). This base model (ID L100A) is then modified in a series of scenarios targetting different building properties, like glazing ratios, insulation levels, or shading conditions (IDs L110A to L324A and P110A to P150A). The examples are domestic buildings in the UK built with a desire to deliver a space heating demand better than the average of the national stock. These houses are described with the information that would be typically available early in the design process, following a first sketch of solutions that is meant to be influenced with ZEBRA. The dataset corresponds to (1) the ZEBRA tool, (2) its validation and (3) built-in examples. The ZEBRA tool is a novel, super-reduced, pedagogical model for scoping net zero buildings. The validation is after ASHRAE Standard 140-2017 for space heating demand intensity after HERS Bestest (Judkoff & Neymark 1995). The built-in examples are domestic buildings located in the UK and are described in the PDF files and implemented in ZEBRA. The ZIP file contains a blank version of the ZEBRA tool; a readme file; a folder containing example tasks (as PDF files) and solutions using the ZEBRA tool; and a folder containing a validation suite for the tool. The data is stored in plain-text files (either CSV or MD files, encoded in UTF-8) and spreadsheets (xlsx, Microsoft Excel 365, Version 2107 Build 14228.20226).

This dataset reflects our two-stage investigation into the stakeholder perceptions of Active Buildings. In the first stage, we collected thoughts on the future of the built environment through a series of online focus group discussions with 30 industry experts. In the second stage, we quantified the ideas that arose from the first stage through an online survey of 30 academics and researchers. The recently launched Active Building Code (ABCode) offers guidance on minimising the environmental impact of the next generation of buildings termed Active Buildings (ABs). This dataset reflects our two-stage investigation into the stakeholder perceptions of ABs and, in particular, their statistical analysis using a logistic regression model in R. Further relevant documentation may be found in the following resources. Nikolaidou, E., Walker, I., Coley, D., Allen, S., and Fosas, D., 2022. Going active. CLIMA 2022 conference, 2022: CLIMA 2022 The 14th REHVA HVAC World Congress. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34641/CLIMA.2022.325. Additional information can be found in the associated paper "Going active: How do people envision the next generation of buildings?'', included in the CLIMA 2022 Conference Proceedings.

This dataset reflects our two-stage investigation into the stakeholder perceptions of Active Buildings. In the first stage, we collected thoughts on the future of the built environment through a series of online focus group discussions with 30 industry experts. In the second stage, we quantified the ideas that arose from the first stage through an online survey of 30 academics and researchers. The recently launched Active Building Code (ABCode) offers guidance on minimising the environmental impact of the next generation of buildings termed Active Buildings (ABs). This dataset reflects our two-stage investigation into the stakeholder perceptions of ABs and, in particular, their statistical analysis using a logistic regression model in R. Further relevant documentation may be found in the following resources. Nikolaidou, E., Walker, I., Coley, D., Allen, S., and Fosas, D., 2022. Going active. CLIMA 2022 conference, 2022: CLIMA 2022 The 14th REHVA HVAC World Congress. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34641/CLIMA.2022.325. Additional information can be found in the associated paper "Going active: How do people envision the next generation of buildings?'', included in the CLIMA 2022 Conference Proceedings.

A pilot study run by the University of Bath in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Chapter2 Architects and the South West Net Zero Hub.

A pilot study run by the University of Bath in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Chapter2 Architects and the South West Net Zero Hub.

Several regulations and standards have been developed to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, but these have failed to provide a clear pathway to a net zero future. Hence, we recently introduced the Active Building Code (ABCode). This provides guidance on reducing the environmental impact of the next generation of buildings, termed Active Buildings (ABs), through their synergy with the grid. This paper aims to illuminate the regulatory landscape, justify our initial proposal for the ABCode, and reveal opportunities and challenges to the popularisation of ABs. Twelve online focus group discussions were conducted, with thirty stakeholders in total, all selected on the basis of their expertise. A grounded theory approach identified five core themes in such discussions. These strongly overlap with what is incorporated in the ABCode, suggesting the code successfully captures issues important to experts. Stakeholders defined ABs as responsive buildings and proposed both energy and carbon are considered in their assessment. They hence aligned with the definition and evaluation framework proposed by the ABCode. Finally, stakeholders considered people’s tendency to prioritise capital cost as the greatest challenge to the popularisation of ABs, and the increasing demand for healthy environments as its greatest opportunity.