Architecture Engineers Award

  High-rise office buildings frequently experience airflow stagnation zones on windward façades, particularly at mid-height levels where wind streams divide upward and downward. These stagnation effects limit natural ventilation potential and increase reliance on mechanical cooling during warm seasons. This study investigates how parametric façade aperture design can strategically enhance airflow distribution and reduce cooling loads in high-rise office buildings. Focus on Stagnation-Level Floor and Design Hypothesis The research concentrates on the floor intersecting the façade stagnation point, where airflow dynamics are most constrained. It is hypothesized that optimized aperture geometry and spatial distribution can redirect pressure differentials to improve indoor ventilation performance and thermal comfort, thereby reducing cooling energy demand without mechanical intervention. Multi-Stage Methodological Framework A multi-stage methodology was implemented integrating com...

  Residential buildings designed to comply with winter-oriented efficiency standards increasingly struggle to maintain safe indoor conditions during summer heat stress and under long-term climate change. Conventional regulatory frameworks treat building performance as a static compliance outcome rather than a dynamic trajectory shaped by irreversible structural design decisions. This study reconceptualizes residential performance as a time-dependent process influenced by envelope mass, ground coupling, and evolving climatic conditions. Experimental Design and Monitoring Framework The research is based on full-scale experimental monitoring of two identical residential test buildings differentiated by envelope thermal mass and floor-ground interaction. Continuous performance measurements were conducted to capture seasonal energy behavior and indoor thermal responses, particularly under extreme summer conditions. This empirical foundation enables robust comparison of structural des...

Thermal comfort is a fundamental component of indoor environmental quality, directly affecting occupant health, productivity, and overall building performance. In office environments, achieving comfort while minimizing energy use remains a persistent challenge. Conventional HVAC systems typically rely on dry-bulb temperature (DBT) control; however, this simplified approach often overlooks radiant temperature effects, leading to spatial discomfort and inefficiencies. Limitations of Dry-Bulb Temperature–Based Control DBT-based HVAC control assumes uniform thermal conditions within indoor spaces, neglecting the influence of surrounding surface temperatures. In practice, variations in wall, window, and façade temperatures—especially near building perimeters—create uneven radiant conditions. These discrepancies can result in localized discomfort for occupants, even when DBT setpoints are technically met. Influence of Building Envelope Performance on Comfort Field measurements conducted...

  Existing buildings often exhibit a notable performance gap between predicted and actual energy efficiency due to limited knowledge about their thermal envelope, physical characteristics, and hidden defects. Understanding these parameters is crucial for developing cost-efficient retrofit strategies that reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. This study emphasizes the importance of on-site measurements and advanced diagnostic methods to enhance energy performance evaluations and support sustainable building practices. Challenges in Assessing Existing Building Performance Accurately evaluating the energy performance of existing buildings is hindered by incomplete or unreliable structural data. Hidden defects, variations in material properties, and deterioration over time contribute to discrepancies between modeled predictions and actual energy usage. These uncertainties make it difficult to design effective retrofits, highlighting the need for more precise assessment tech...

  The transition toward Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) is a key pathway to achieving sustainable development goals and reducing building-sector emissions. However, comparing NZEB performance remains challenging due to variations in climatic conditions, calculation methodologies, and primary energy factors. This study introduces a systematic benchmarking framework to evaluate NZEB performance through standardized simulation and normalization approaches aligned with Commission recommendations. Comparative Framework for NZEB Assessment Assessing NZEB performance across different contexts requires a harmonized methodological foundation. The research employs comparative analysis across residential and office building typologies to examine differences in thermal performance, primary energy use, and renewable integration levels. By applying correction factors for climatic variation, the study enhances comparability and consistency in evaluating building energy performance. Metho...

Urban street canyons significantly influence local airflow, thermal comfort, and pollutant dispersion. Architectural façades, especially those featuring ribs or horizontal protrusions, play a crucial role in modifying these aerodynamic behaviors. Recent studies highlight that geometric parameters of façade elements—such as rib spacing and depth—can alter vortex structures and flow regimes within urban canyons. However, systematic investigations focusing on how these parameters affect turbulence and ventilation efficiency remain limited. This study uses large-eddy simulations (LES) to explore the aerodynamic response of street canyons to varying façade rib geometries, advancing the understanding of wind–structure interactions in dense urban settings. Influence of Façade Geometry on Urban Aerodynamics The geometric configuration of façades significantly determines airflow distribution and turbulence intensity around buildings. By analyzing variations in the ratio of rib separation di...