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...

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...

Achieving an effective balance between indoor thermal comfort and operational energy consumption is a core objective of building thermal performance design. Conventional envelope design methods typically rely on fixed occupancy and operation schedules, overlooking the inherent randomness of real building use. This limitation often leads to inaccurate performance estimations and suboptimal design decisions. This study addresses this gap by integrating stochastic building operation behavior into the thermal optimization design of office building envelopes. Limitations of Deterministic Thermal Design Approaches Traditional thermal design practices assume predefined schedules for air-conditioning use and window operation, which fail to capture the variability of occupant behavior and operational uncertainty. Such deterministic assumptions can distort predictions of heating and cooling loads, ultimately affecting indoor comfort and energy efficiency. Recognizing these limitations provide...

Climate change has intensified the challenges associated with maintaining indoor–outdoor thermal comfort, prompting the need for advanced, data-driven design approaches. This study introduces an integrated framework combining Multiobjective optimization (MOO) and explainable machine learning (ML) to analyze how spatial morphology affects indoor–outdoor thermal comfort (IOTC). By merging global optimization capability with transparent interpretability, the framework supports climate-responsive architectural decision-making and delivers insights that improve both design quality and environmental performance. Multiobjective Optimization for Thermal Comfort The framework employs a genetic algorithm (GA)–based MOO model to optimize nine morphological parameters related to building and courtyard forms. These parameters serve as decision variables for the simultaneous optimization of predicted mean vote (PMV) and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) during contrasting seasonal conditi...

Traditional space heating systems typically rely on averaged or single-point temperature readings, often neglecting spatial variations within indoor environments. This oversight can cause inefficiencies in maintaining thermal comfort and unnecessary energy consumption. In response, this research introduces an occupant-centred control method that dynamically adjusts heating based on real-time occupant positioning and localized thermal conditions. By integrating advanced localization and thermal modeling, the proposed system enhances both energy efficiency and occupant comfort through intelligent feedback-based control. Adaptive Multi-Target Localization for Occupant Tracking Accurate occupant localization is central to personalized climate control. This study employs an adaptive multi-target localization method using the Density Peak Clustering (DPC) algorithm to detect real-time occupant positions. The algorithm’s strength lies in its ability to identify distinct data clusters witho...

Global warming has intensified the frequency and severity of heat waves, posing serious challenges to urban environments worldwide. Traditional pavements, known for their high heat absorption and retention, exacerbate urban heat stress and contribute to severe thermal discomfort and material deterioration. To address these pressing issues, innovative sustainable solutions are being explored. This study introduces a novel nature-based cold pavement system that utilizes subsurface naturally cooled water to reduce surface temperatures through conduction. The approach is designed to enhance thermal comfort and safety in outdoor urban areas, particularly in hot climates, without depending on evaporative cooling or water consumption. The Challenge of Urban Heat and Pavement Thermal Stress Urban surfaces, especially pavements, act as heat sinks that intensify local temperatures, aggravating the urban heat island effect. During extreme summer conditions, surface temperatures can exceed saf...

  Have you ever wondered how buildings can stay cool in summer and warm in winter without consuming tons of energy? Enter Phase Change Materials (PCMs) . These innovative materials act like thermal batteries, storing and releasing heat to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. When integrated into building components like façades, roofs, and windows, PCMs can drastically reduce energy demand while supporting sustainable building design. But there’s more to the story—let’s dive in! How PCM Systems Boost Energy Performance Studies show that buildings using PCM-assisted ventilation can save 7.7% to 32.8% on energy consumption. The key? Smart placement in building components and proper material selection. Imagine your walls, roof, and windows acting as silent energy savers, reducing the load on your air conditioners and heaters—PCM technology makes this possible! Keeping Indoor Temperatures Comfortable PCMs aren’t just about energy savings—they’re about comfort too. They can l...

The study reviews existing thermal assessment research in refugee shelters and analyses successful shelter designs in Jordan, Afghanistan, and South Sudan. By identifying the strategies that improved thermal comfort, material efficiency, and rapid deplorability, the research establishes design principles applicable to diverse climatic zones. The comparative analysis highlights gaps in current solutions, such as insufficient adaptability, limited use of local materials, and poor durability, guiding the development of a more optimized shelter design for long-term usability and sustainability. Design Concept of Makati Prototype The Makati shelter emphasizes incremental design , enabling modular construction that can be expanded or adjusted according to family size and site constraints. It is engineered to be thermally efficient , durable, and affordable, using locally available materials to ensure rapid deployment by unskilled labor. Parametric modeling is integrated into the design pr...

Modern buildings face significant challenges due to peak cooling demands, especially during afternoon hours, which increase energy consumption and reduce system efficiency. This research focuses on integrating advanced materials, such as dual-stage phase change materials (DPCMs), with compact heat pipe systems , to create smart building solutions. By adopting intelligent design strategies, architects can optimize indoor thermal comfort , reduce peak cooling loads, and enhance energy efficiency . The study highlights the role of material placement and sizing within building envelopes to achieve sustainable and adaptive building performance . Peak Cooling Load Challenges in Smart Buildings Afternoon peak cooling demands in buildings create stress on HVAC systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy costs. Understanding these challenges is essential for architects to design thermally responsive buildings . Integrating advanced thermal storage materials like DPCMs helps in ...