Performance-based design of residential blocks for the co-benefits of building energy efficiency and outdoor thermal comfort improvement

• Published in: Building and environment 2024-10, Vol.264, p.111926, Article 111926
• Main Authors: Xu, Shen, Wang, Siyao, Li, Gaomei, Zhou, Haizhu, Meng, Chong, Qin, Yuchen, He, Bao-Jie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Building energy efficiency; Co-benefits; Microclimate; Outdoor thermal comfort; Performance-based design; Residential block morphology
• ISSN: 0360-1323
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111926

Block morphology is critical to building energy efficiency (BEE) and outdoor thermal comfort (OTC), meaning optimizing block morphology is conducive to improving built environment resilience. Existing studies have proved differences and even contradictions in the effects of morphology on BEE and OTC. However, there is a lack of a rational trade-off method to balance BEE and OTC through morphology modification. This study aims to explore the performance-based design of block morphology to achieve the co-benefits of BEE and OTC improvement. We developed a co-simulation platform and studied the optimal design schemes with a co-consideration of BEE and OTC in Wuhan, China. The study presented 40 prototypes from 114 residential blocks, based on five morphological characteristics, including floor area ratio, building density, building typology, planar layout, and vertical layout. The BEE and OTC performance of these schemes were simulated by the co-simulation platform built on Grasshopper. A set of optimal design schemes were obtained, and their BEE and OTC performances were compared. The optimal design scheme had co-benefits of BEE and OTC improvement by 15.16 % and 35.89 %, respectively, in comparison to the prototypes with the worst performance. Typically, design schemes with pavilion, north-south staggered planar layout, and building height change in east-west direction could have higher co-benefits. Overall, this study provides a reference to understand residential block design for BEE and OTC co-improvement, and provide a methodological framework for co-benefits studies in other cities. •Development of a co-simulation platform for building energy use and outdoor thermal comfort assessment.•Identified 40 prototype of residential blocks in Wuhan, China.•Proposed a comprehensive analytical framework for BEE and OTC performance assessment.•Obtained optimal design schemes for the co-benefits of BEE and OTC performance.•The co-benefits were a 15.16 % reduction in energy use and a 35.89 % improvement in thermal comfort.