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Copyright ©2013 Sefaira Ltd.
PER FOR MANCE BASED DESIGN: CR E ATING HIGH - PER FOR MING CONCEPTS
Fig. 4. A combination of passive strategies reduced annual energy use by 45%.
reduce glazing, add shading, or improve the glazing properties. Each of these
options comes with different trade-offs and synergies that are important to
understand in the early stages of design.
Ultimately we found a bundle of improvements that reduced energy use of the Lens
option by 45%. It also reduced our peak heating and cooling loads by a significant 60
to 80%.
This type of analysis also provides important inputs into the next design iterations. For
instance, we found that horizontal shading on the south facade and vertical shading on
the north delivered significant energy reductions. As we continue to design, we would
want to take a pass at incorporating this type of shading into the facade design. We
would also want to think about natural ventilation when laying out the floorplans and
building sections, and begin to consider the potential impacts of thermal mass and
insulation on the design.
We will perform this type of optimization analysis frequently as the design evolves,
to make sure we stay focused on the right strategies, and to continue to fine-tune the
design.
