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An Investigation of the Daylighting Simulation Techniques and Sky Modeling Practices for Occupant Centric Evaluations

Inanici, Mehlika; Hashemloo, Alireza. (2017). An Investigation of the Daylighting Simulation Techniques and Sky Modeling Practices for Occupant Centric Evaluations. Building And Environment, 113, 220 – 231.

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Abstract

Occupant centric performance approaches in daylighting studies promote design decisions that support human visual comfort, productivity, and visual preferences, along with more conventional energy efficiency criteria. Simulating per-pixel luminance values and luminance distribution patterns for the entire scene allows us to analyze the occupant centric metrics and performance criteria. However, there are a number of different sky models, complex fenestration models, and simulation techniques that produce either conventional point in time images or annual luminance maps. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between different techniques; and a comparison analyses provides insight about their impact on occupant centric lighting measures. The comparisons for sky modeling include the conventional CIE skies (Clear, Intermediate, and Overcast), measurement based CIE models, Perez all-weather skies, and high dynamic range image based skies. The comparison of simulation techniques include point in time simulations, image based lighting simulations, and annual luminance simulations (threephase and five-phase methods). Results demonstrate that measurement based sky models match real world conditions with reasonable proximity, and generic CIE skies consistently underestimate the indoor lighting conditions. Annual simulation methods provide a large database of temporal luminance variations, where individual instances are comparable to point in time simulations. Long term luminance simulations provide opportunities to evaluate the percentage of the year that a given luminance based criteria is met or violated. (C)2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Complex Fenestration Systems; Scattering Distribution-functions; Discomfort Glare; Visual Comfort; Daylit Spaces; Validation; Radiance; Performance; Offices; Design; Sky Models; Daylight Simulations; Point In Time Simulations; Image Based Lighting; Annual Lighting Simulations; Annual Luminance Maps

Comparative Environmental Analysis of Seismic Damage in Buildings

Huang, M.; Simonen, K. (2020). Comparative Environmental Analysis of Seismic Damage in Buildings. Journal Of Structural Engineering, 146(2).

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Abstract

In studying the environmental impacts of buildings, earthquake hazards are rarely considered, but their environmental impacts can be significant. This case study paper demonstrates how the US Federal Emergency Management Agency's Performance Assessment Calculation Tool (PACT) can be used to analyze the environmental impacts of buildings using probabilistic seismic hazard assessment. PACT was used to evaluate 10 case study buildings that varied by five types of lateral systems and two risk categories. For each building, PACT generated 1,000 realizations at five earthquake intensities. The resulting environmental impacts were analyzed according to their distribution, median, and average values, and the differences among building component types, risk categories, and lateral force-resisting systems were explored. In this study, building components that were categorized under Exterior Enclosures, Interior Finishes, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) produced notably higher environmental impacts in response to seismic damage, and their vulnerability to displacement- or acceleration-induced damage could be attributed to the characteristics of the lateral systems. Although these observations are notable, they should not be taken as universally applicable to all buildings. Instead, these findings exemplify how the environmental impact results from PACT can be analyzed and interpreted to address both the seismic and environmental aspects of building design. (C) 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Keywords

Impact

Occupant Perceptions of an Indoor Thermal Environment in a Naturally Ventilated Building

Ilyas, Salman; Emery, Ashley; Heerwagen, Judith; Heerwagen, Dean. (2012). Occupant Perceptions of an Indoor Thermal Environment in a Naturally Ventilated Building. Ashrae Transactions, 118(2), 114 – 121.

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Abstract

A strong emphasis is currently being placed on the use of natural ventilation as a means for providing a safe and healthful indoor environment as part of green building programs. There has been an increasing interest in developing natural ventilation design strategies that can furnish adequate fresh air to the building interior and simultaneously control the indoor air quality effectively, while providing significant energy savings. In naturally ventilated spaces, furnishing a suitable air exchange rate between the building exterior and interior can create a thermally comfortable and healthy indoor environment. However, the air exchange must occur such that the indoor air quality of the building is not compromised and thermally comfortable conditions for the occupants can be maintained. Architecture Hall is a recently renovated, naturally ventilated building located on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. The natural ventilation in this building was evaluated using a variety of experimental techniques, which included measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, air exchange rates and air velocities. High CO2 concentrations are a good indicator of inadequate ventilation rates and poor air movement in a space. Hence, a number of standards and certification programs specify the use of outdoor air monitoring based on CO2 concentrations in an occupied space. Occupant surveys, based on a U.S. EPA study, were also administered to understand and analyse occupant perceptions about the indoor thermal environment and to identify the prevalence of any building related illness symptoms. The discussion in this paper will focus on the findings of the occupant surveys and how they relate to the measured CO2 levels, air exchange rates and air velocities in the naturally ventilated spaces. The natural ventilation function in Architecture Hall is largely climate driven. For the period of November through March particularly, outside temperatures are quite low and windows are seldom opened by the occupants, in spite of a large number of occupants being dissatisfied with the indoor environmental quality. Consequently, CO2 concentrations consistently exceed acceptable levels and very little air movement is recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of ASHRAE Transactions is the property of ASHRAE and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Keywords

Thermal Comfort; Natural Ventilation; Energy Consumption Of Buildings; Indoor Air Quality; Heat Exchangers; Carbon Dioxide

The Past and Future of Pioneer Square Historic Character and Infill Construction in Seattle’s First Historic District

Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl. (2017). The Past and Future of Pioneer Square Historic Character and Infill Construction in Seattle’s First Historic District. Change Over Time-an International Journal Of Conservation And The Built Environment, 7(2), 320 – 343.

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Abstract

Seattle designated the Pioneer Square Preservation District, the city's first historic district, nearly fifty years ago. Over the past half century, the district has seen significant infrastructure improvements, a changing resident population, and an evolving mix of businesses. Although many buildings underwent interior alteration, the visible external character of the historic fabric has remained largely intact. The district's Preservation Board reviews a constant stream of small exterior restoration and rehabilitation projects, but it is the relatively few examples of new infill construction that have presented the most challenging questions as the board has had to balance the desire for new development and the activity it brings with the wish to protect historic character. Although the Pioneer Square District ordinance, the Secretary of Interior's Standards, and rules developed by the board all offer guidance, every new design presents questions about the exact meaning of terms like compatible and differentiated. Today, with Seattle's booming economy and growing population, more new projects of a larger scale are being proposed. As a result, the Pioneer Square Preservation District presents a singular case study demonstrating continuing efforts to protect the historic built environment while still allowing appropriate growth.

Residential Building Lifespan and Community Turnover

Ianchenko, Alex; Simonen, Kathrina; Barnes, Clayton. (2020). Residential Building Lifespan and Community Turnover. Journal Of Architectural Engineering, 26(3).

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Abstract

Environmental impact studies within the built environment rely on predicting building lifespan to describe the period of occupation and operation. Most life cycle assessments (LCAs) are based on arbitrary lifespan values, omitting the uncertainties of assessing service life. This research models the lifespan of American residential housing stock as a probabilistic survival distribution based on available data from the American Housing Survey (AHS). The log-normal, gamma, and Weibull distributions were fit to demolition data from 1985 to 2009 and these three models were compared with one another using the Bayesian information criterion. Analysis revealed that the estimated average housing lifespan in the United States is 130 years given model assumptions, although a probabilistic approach to lifespan can yield higher accuracy on a case-by-case basis. Parameters for modeling housing lifespan as log-normal, gamma, and Weibull survival functions are published with the intent of further application in LCA. The application of probabilistic housing lifespan models to community-wide turnover and integration with existing simulations of natural disaster are proposed as potential ways to achieve community sustainability and resilience goals. (c) 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Keywords

Energy-consumption; Service Life; Cycle; Demolition; Emissions; Design; Impact; Model; Housing Stock Lifetime; Residential Buildings; Housing Turnover; Life Cycle Assessment; Service Life Prediction

Lighting Energy Consumption in Ultra-Low Energy Buildings: Using a Simulation and Measurement Methodology to Model Occupant Behavior and Lighting Controls

Zhu, Panyu; Gilbride, Michael; Yan, Da; Sun, Hongshan; Meek, Christopher. (2017). Lighting Energy Consumption in Ultra-Low Energy Buildings: Using a Simulation and Measurement Methodology to Model Occupant Behavior and Lighting Controls. Building Simulation, 10(6), 799 – 810.

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Abstract

As building owners, designers, and operators aim to achieve significant reductions in overall energy consumption, understanding and evaluating the probable impacts of occupant behavior becomes a critical component of a holistic energy conservation strategy. This becomes significantly more pronounced in ultra-efficient buildings, where system loads such as heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation are reduced or eliminated through high-performance building design and where occupant behavior-driven impacts reflect a large portion of end-use energy. Further, variation in behavior patterns can substantially impact the persistence of any performance gains. This paper describes a methodology of building occupant behavior modeling using simulation methods developed by the Building Energy Research Center (BERC) at Tsinghua University using measured energy consumption data collected by the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab (UW IDL). The Bullitt Center, a six-story 4831 m(2) (52,000 ft(2)) net-positive-energy urban office building in Seattle, WA, USA, is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the world (2013 WAN Sustainable Building of the Year Winner). Its measured energy consumption in 2015 was approximately 34.8 kWh/(m(2)a (TM) yr) (11 kBtu/(ft(2)a (TM) yr)). Occupant behavior exerts an out-sized influence on the energy performance of the building. Nearly 33% of the end-use energy consumption at the Bullitt Center consists of unregulated miscellaneous electrical loads (plug-loads), which are directly attributable to occupant behavior and equipment procurement choices. Approximately 16% of end-use energy is attributable to electric lighting which is also largely determined by occupant behavior. Key to the building's energy efficiency is employment of lighting controls and daylighting strategies to minimize the lighting load. This paper uses measured energy use in a 330 m(2) (3550 ft(2)) open office space in this building to inform occupant profiles that are then modified to create four scenarios to model the impact of behavior on lighting use. By using measured energy consumption and an energy model to simulate the energy performance of this space, this paper evaluates the potential energy savings based on different occupant behavior. This paper describes occupant behavior simulation methods and evaluates them using a robust dataset of 15 minute interval sub-metered energy consumption data. Lighting control strategies are compared via simulation results, in order to achieve the best match between occupant schedules, controls, and energy savings. Using these findings, we propose a simulation methodology that incorporates measured energy use data to generate occupant schedules and control schemes with the ultimate aim of using simulation results to evaluate energy saving measures that target occupant behavior.

Keywords

Control-systems; Patterns; Offices; Lighting Control; Ultra-low Energy Building; Occupant Behavior; Building Simulation; Energy Consumption

Deep Neural Network Approach for Annual Luminance Simulations

Liu, Yue; Colburn, Alex; Inanici, Mehlika. (2020). Deep Neural Network Approach for Annual Luminance Simulations. Journal Of Building Performance Simulation, 13(5), 532 – 554.

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Abstract

Annual luminance maps provide meaningful evaluations for occupants' visual comfort and perception. This paper presents a novel data-driven approach for predicting annual luminance maps from a limited number of point-in-time high-dynamic-range imagery by utilizing a deep neural network. A sensitivity analysis is performed to develop guidelines for determining the minimum and optimum data collection periods for generating accurate maps. The proposed model can faithfully predict high-quality annual panoramic luminance maps from one of the three options within 30 min training time: (i) point-in-time luminance imagery spanning 5% of the year, when evenly distributed during daylight hours, (ii) one-month hourly imagery generated during daylight hours around the equinoxes; or (iii) 9 days of hourly data collected around the spring equinox, summer and winter solstices (2.5% of the year) all suffice to predict the luminance maps for the rest of the year. The DNN predicted high-quality panoramas are validated against Radiance renderings.

Keywords

Scattering Distribution-functions; Daylight Performance; Glare; Model; Prediction; Daylighting Simulation; Luminance Maps; Machine Learning; Neural Networks; Hdr Imagery; Panoramic View

Beyond Le Corbusier and the Modernist City: Reframing Chandigarh’s ‘World Heritage’ Legacy

Chalana, Manish; Sprague, Tyler S. (2013). Beyond Le Corbusier and the Modernist City: Reframing Chandigarh’s ‘World Heritage’ Legacy. Planning Perspectives, 28(2), 199 – 222.

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Abstract

The heritage of Chandigarh, India is a complex subject. While widely acknowledged by academic and professional communities worldwide as a significant work of modernist architecture and urban design, Chandigarh's specific temporal, geographical and cultural contexts complicate efforts to get the city inscribed on United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's World Heritage List. This article outlines the persistent attempts by both local and international organizations to achieve this inscription, efforts that have not yet been successful. Relying on historical scholarship and fieldwork, the authors reassess the value of Chandigarh's heritage both in terms of historical significance and contemporary planning. By addressing the complexity and scope of the design and planning process, embracing the inhabitation and appropriation of the city, and fostering an appreciation of modern architecture, Chandigarh can develop a more localized understanding of heritage yet one that can be appreciated worldwide.

Keywords

World Heritage Sites; Historic Sites; Modern Architecture; Urban Planning; Architecture; Modern Movement (architecture); Preservation Of Historic Sites; Twentieth Century; Chandigarh (india); India; Chandigarh; Le Corbusier; Modern Heritage; Preservation Planning; Unesco; World Heritage List; Le Corbusier, 1887-1965

Architecture for Health Is Not Just for Healthcare Architects

Dannenberg, Andrew L.; Burpee, Heather. (2018). Architecture for Health Is Not Just for Healthcare Architects. Health Environments Research & Design Journal (herd) (sage Publications, Ltd.), 11(2), 8 – 12.

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Keywords

Building Design & Construction; Public Health; Quality Of Life; Built Environment; Public Spaces