Architecture Engineers Award

Accurate modeling of cooling and heating systems is fundamental to reliable building energy simulation, particularly for high-performance buildings targeting low-carbon objectives. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump systems are widely adopted due to their flexibility and efficiency; however, simulation accuracy strongly depends on the quality of performance input parameters. This study investigates how different performance curve inputs influence the predictive reliability of VRF system simulations in EnergyPlus. Testbed Validation and Model Calibration A validated experimental testbed model, calibrated using field measurements from a controlled test facility in South Korea, was employed to ensure realistic baseline performance. The calibrated model provided a reliable reference for comparing simulation outputs under varying input curve assumptions, enabling quantitative assessment of modeling accuracy. Comparison of Performance Input Configurations Three simulation configu...

Net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) are designed to achieve annual balance between renewable energy generation and consumption. However, real-time mismatches persist due to photovoltaic (PV) intermittency and inflexible building loads. Electric vehicles (EVs), equipped with mobile storage capacity and bidirectional charging capabilities, offer significant flexibility potential to mitigate these temporal imbalances. This study investigates coordinated EV integration strategies within a rural solar-powered NZEB context. Integrated Energy System Configuration and Operational Scenarios An integrated energy system combining grid interaction, PV generation, stationary battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and building loads was developed. Three operational strategies were designed: Case 1 (rule-based control), Case 2 (building-to-vehicle, B2V), and Case 3 (vehicle-to-building combined with building-to-vehicle, V2B + B2V). These scenarios enable comparative evaluation of unidirectiona...

Accurate forecasting of building energy consumption is essential for achieving carbon neutrality, enhancing operational efficiency, and maintaining long-term building performance. While significant attention has been given to short-term prediction models, the progressive effects of building performance aging particularly on HVAC energy consumption—remain insufficiently quantified. This study addresses this gap by developing a robust data-driven methodology to diagnose aging-related performance degradation using long-term operational datasets. Long-Term Dataset and Integrated Analytical Framework The research is based on ten years (2015–2024) of continuous operational data from a university educational building in Chongqing, China. The dataset integrates sub-metered HVAC energy records, detailed meteorological observations, and occupancy-related proxy variables. This comprehensive data fusion enables the isolation of performance aging effects from climatic and behavioral variability,...

Ensuring the operational continuity of socially critical facilities such as schools following earthquakes is essential for community resilience and disaster recovery. In Türkiye, where seismic risk is high and portions of the public building stock lack adequate engineering design, assessing structural vulnerability and implementing effective retrofitting strategies are urgent priorities. This study investigates seismic strengthening approaches for representative school building typologies to enhance structural safety and post-earthquake functionality. Characterization of School Building Typologies and Seismic Parameters Three commonly used reinforced concrete school building types (8-, 14-, and 22-classroom configurations) were selected to represent vulnerable public building stock. Parametric analyses incorporated variations in peak ground acceleration (PGA), local soil conditions, and material strengths to reflect regional seismic diversity. These parameters allowed for realistic ...

Accurate knowledge of the thermal envelope and its physical characteristics is essential for reliable building energy performance assessment. In existing buildings, limited information regarding construction details and hidden defects often leads to significant discrepancies between simulated and actual energy performance. This performance gap undermines retrofit planning, increases operational costs, and hinders carbon reduction efforts, highlighting the urgent need for improved on-site diagnostic methods. Role of Envelope Uncertainty in the Performance Gap Insufficient data on airtightness, insulation continuity, and thermal bridging directly affects the accuracy of building energy models. These uncertainties make it difficult to evaluate retrofit options reliably and often result in conservative or inefficient interventions. Addressing envelope-related unknowns is therefore critical for cost-effective and performance-driven retrofit strategies. Acoustic Air Leakage Detection Met...

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) façades play a critical role in advancing net-zero and energy-positive building strategies by simultaneously serving as envelope elements and renewable energy generators. However, optimizing BIPV façades is challenging due to competing performance objectives, particularly photovoltaic energy generation and indoor daylighting quality. This study proposes a parametric optimization framework to systematically address these trade-offs during early-stage design. Challenges in Balancing Energy Generation and Daylighting Façade design decisions, such as window-to-wall ratio (WWR), directly influence solar exposure on opaque surfaces for photovoltaic efficiency while also affecting indoor daylight availability and visual comfort. Increasing PV-active areas often reduces daylight penetration, whereas excessive glazing can compromise energy generation potential. These conflicting requirements necessitate a multi-objective optimization approach. Paramet...