Building Information Modelling based Transparent Envelope Optimization Considering Environmental Quality, Energy and Cost

Abstract

The balance of energy consumption, indoor environmental satisfaction and cost is a continuing challenge in the field of building energy efficiency research. Building transparent envelope play a key role in building energy-saving design. While in existing BIM system, the separation of component family and local supply chain hinders the integrated performance evaluation and design. This paper proposes a general sustainable performance optimization model for transparent envelope design from the product perspective. A performance data integrated BIM technique framework, linking BIM with multidimension performance data stored in external database, is introduced as the foundation of local supply chain based optimization process. A multi-objective optimization model for window components is constructed for the early design stage. Three comprehensive design targets in the engineering practice, energy consumption, life cycle cost and IEQ are evaluated and optimized, representing the concern from government, developer and occupant, respectively. Autodesk Revit as the technique platform, its internal material library and adaptive component system are directly integrated for model control and feedback. An optimization tool is developed as an individual plug-in for user interaction and performance visualization. As a case study, the multi-objective optimization process is applied to design a school building in China.