Green envelope as an architectural strategy for energy efficiency in a library building

Abstract

In the context of Malaysian tropical climate, green envelope functions to provide satisfying indoor environment and achieve the best performance with minimal energy consumption. Buildings that rely on air-conditioning to improve thermal comfort could benefit from green envelope potentials. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the impacts of various types of green envelope towards reducing the energy consumption of a two-storey library building. The methodology approach is quantitative and data are collected through building simulation using Revit Building Information Modelling (BIM). Parameters studied are building orientation, wall insulation, envelope materials, and façade treatment. Results showed that different types of green envelope posed different impact on energy consumption of the library and double glazed windows contribute the most significant reduction of energy consumption. The study establishes the contribution of green envelope and advocates the use of building simulation as research methodology, as it helps to improve envelope design, and to predict the possible outcomes of design alternatives.

Adoption of BIM technology to develop sustainable buildings in the Iraqi construction sector

“…(18) Studied various design standards (exterior walls material, roofs material, and a set of window-to-wall ratios) to enable architects and designers to use software to enable the process of sustainable use of energy in buildings. The researcher found through results around 15% improvement in the energy consumption due to change design options such as window to wall ratio (19) , studied the effect of different green envelops on energy efficiency and consumption. The researcher found through results double-glazed windows contribute to the most significant reduction of energy consumption.…”