• Energy Research

Designing high-rise buildings is a complex and challenging task involving several parameters and variables. Recently, there have been major attempts to design the overall form of these buildings based on optimization approaches. This paper introduces a multi-objective optimization framework based on Genetic Algorithm, namely Energy Efficient Form-finder (EEF), consisting four main steps of Form-Generation, Form-Simulation, Form-Optimization and Form-Solutions. The EEF with a comprehensive design-based approach is evaluated through five functions considering objectives of minimizing cooling and heating demand and thermal discomfort time while maintaining operative temperature on the defined thermal comfort zone. This work studies the form combination of five reference buildings based on a new technique called “Building Modular Cell” in five different urban areas, resulting in twenty-five distinct design problems. According to the results, there is a great potential to adopt EEF in newly-built projects with a rectangular layout; while it can reduce the annual energy demand and thermal discomfort time of the optimal form combinations around 34% and 12% respectively. Finally, a series of qualitative and quantitative design-aid recommendations are presented based on 1998 best design solutions, which can be used as form-finding rules of thumb by architects and urban designers at the early design stages.

In recent years, there has been a heightened emphasis improving visual comfort and energy efficiency. Various solutions have been explored to achieve high-performance design. Shading devices play a crucial role in enhancing building performance by redusing solar gains, excessive daylight, and improving both energy efficiency and occupants' visual comfort. This research aims to investigate the effect of facade geometry on visual comfort and energy consumption in four different climates of Iran and categorize each variable based on effectiveness for each location. Parametric office modeling was done by using Grasshopper and Rhino software. Then, the effect of the facade on the interior lighting and energy consumption was analyzed by Radiance, Daysim, and EnergyPlus calculation engines. The Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) was selected to optimize solutions, minimize energy consumption, maximize useful daylight illuminance, and view quality. In addition, the methodology was used to explore the framework for optimizing office facade design in Iran's diverse climatic zones. The simulation results indicate that window-to-wall ratio and inclined wall were essential for balancing daylighting performance and energy consumption. This research stated that using a self-shading design could increase the quality of view up to 75% while reducing energy consumption and the risk of glare. Results proposed a design framework to improve visual comfort and save energy. The rotating façade's wall 10°-30° reduced cooling energy demand and energy usage intensity in selected models. So, an inclined wall could be an efficient shading device to improve building's performance in Iran.

Cooling buildings in urban areas with hot-arid climate put huge loads on the energy system. There is an increasing trend in urban energy studies to recognize the urban design variables and parameters associated with the energy performance of buildings. In this work, a novel approach is introduced to investigate the impacts of urban morphology on cooling load reduction and enhancing ventilation potential by studying a high-rise building (target building), surrounded by different urban configurations, during six warm months of the year in Tehran at four major sections including: (1) generating 1600 urban case studies considering three parameters (Urban Density, Urban Building Form, and Urban Pattern) and modelling the urban morphology of Tehran based on a technique namely “Building Modular Cells”, (2) validation study of CFD simulation of the wind flow around buildings, (3) calculating the average cooling load and wind flow at the rooftop of the target building, and (4) investigating sixteen best urban configurations with the lowest cooling load and highest ventilation potential. Results indicate that urban morphology has a notable impact on the energy consumption of buildings, decreasing cooling load and increasing ventilation potential more than 10% and 15% respectively, compared to the typical cases. This work also proposes design solutions for architects and urban designers, based on Top 100 configurations (out of 1600), for improved energy performance and better ventilation of buildings in urban areas.

This paper presents a new, multi-objective method of analysing and optimising the energy processes associated with window system design in office buildings. The simultaneous consideration of multiple and conflicting design objectives can make the architectural design process more complicated. This study is based on the fundamental recognition that optimising parameters on the building energy loads via window system design can reduce the quality of the view to outside and the received daylight – both qualities highly valued by building occupants. This paper proposes an approach for quantifying Quality of View in office buildings in balance with energy performance and daylighting, thus enabling an optimisation framework for office window design. The study builds on previous research by developing a multi-objective method of assessment of a reference room which is parametrically modelled using actual climate data. A method of Pareto Frontier and a weighting sum is applied for multi-objective optimisation to determine best outcomes that balance design requirements. The Results reveal the maximum possible window to wall ratio for the reference room. The optimisation model indicates that the room geometry should be altered to achieve the lighting and view requirements set out in building performance standards. The research results emphasise the need for window system configuration to be considered in the early design stages. This exploratory approach to a methodology and framework considers both building parameters and the local climate condition. It has the potential to be adopted and further refined by other researchers and designers to support complex, multi-factorial design decision-making.

Due to the importance of the historical context of Dezful City, investigating historic buildings is necessary. But unfortunately, a large part of it is being destroyed. For this reason, it is essential to discover the guidelines and logic behind the architectural design of these buildings to help their reconstruction or restoration. Regrettably, there is no logical information about the components of this context and the reconstructions are usually done according to taste and based on architecture tested or personal preference. Therefore, it is necessary to find a logic behind these critical components that support the whole plan or parts of it in a particular style. The purpose of this research is to discover and find the logic behind the design of this building in the historical context of Dezful. Finding geometrical proportions can significantly help to reconstruct buildings better and more accurately. For this purpose, 30 historical houses of Dezful were randomly selected, and their input information was drawn in 2D form in AutoCAD. Then, the length, width, and height proportions were measured, and the obtained ratios were compared with the golden proportions and dynamic rectangles. This paper studies entrance based on ratios of 2, 3, 4, 5, 1.25 and φ (the golden section). The results show that golden proportions and proportions derived from dynamic rectangles are present in the wording of all cases. Moreover, the range of ratios in the plan is from 1.34 to 2, and the content of changes in the section is from 1.22 to 2. The results can help architects, and particularly building owners, to reconstruct based on existing logic by discovering the proportions of the entrances of the houses. It is possible to administer a part of the damaged tissue and estimate its dimensions and sizes because the proportions' completeness can help revive half-destroyed historical buildings.

Abstract Algae convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into oxygen, heat, and biomass. The integration of microalgae, as a photobioreactor-based source of biofuel, with buildings, has the potential to transform high-performance architecture. This article will review the state-of-the-art knowledge on microalgae bioreactive facades , provide a survey of previous studies regarding the performance of these innovative facade systems, present the status quo and identify the gaps in theory and applications of these systems. We also compare microalgae bioreactive facades with green walls and double skin facades (DSF) and discuss these systems from thermal, shading, and natural ventilation perspectives. Finally, the performance of microalgae facades as solar thermal collectors is discussed and some recommendations for future research are presented.

Nowadays, optimization of methods that can reduce energy consumption is efficient for various reasons, such as the increasing mean temperature, the changes in climate, and the shortage of non-renewable energies like fossil fuels. Hence, the stack effect is one of the passive cooling strategies promoting using renewable energy. In this context, Stack ventilation is studied in a hot and semi-humid climate to introduce AEC industry parties. A notable contribution of this study to the existing knowledge landscape involves the integration of stack ventilation (vertical ventilation) with roof channels (horizontal ventilation). Direct and indirect ventilation are scrutinized and compared. Then stack position in the building is investigated for optimizing it in one-, two-, and four-story buildings in Dezful city. Considering being the most frequent residential building type, the four-story archetype has been the main focus of the present study. The models’ behaviors are studied by Design Builder (Energy Plus engine). The CFD (fluid dynamics calculations) module has been used to explore the behavior of air in terms of velocity and temperature quantities by numerical simulation. Findings suggest that indirect ventilation is better than direct ventilation in this climate if individuals do not want to use evaporating cooling strategies inside natural ventilation. Roof channels are particularly effective for collecting and discharging the hot air gathered on the roofs and air circulation within the buildings. The result is appropriate for an architect design in hot regions.

Purpose – This paper aims to optimise building orientation in Tehran, as well as determining the impact of its shape, relative compactness (RC) and glazing percentage on its optimised orientation. Design/methodology/approach – A cubic module was used and a set of 8 of the same module with 16 different formations were analysed for their orientation (360°), the RC (four groups) and the amount of glazing percentage (25, 50 and 75 per cent). Findings – The results show that the optimised orientation of a building in Tehran strongly depends on its passive solar heat gain elements, their orientation and their position in building; furthermore, glazing percentage amount, amongst the studied factors, plays the most important role in determining a building’s orientation. Practical implications – The application of the findings of this study in Tehran city planning and also technical details of buildings will lead to a great energy saving in construction sector. Furthermore, the deployment of the proposed design guidelines in construction has explicitly been proven to save a prodigious amount of energy. Originality/value – The main research question is taken directly from authors’ initiative when working as university professor and research associate. The case study buildings, their morphological configurations and sustainable features have not been presented before in an academic journal.