high performance buildings

Introduction

High-performance buildings (HPBs) are designed to optimize energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity. These buildings integrate advanced technologies and design strategies to achieve superior performance compared to traditional buildings. The following synthesis presents key insights from recent research on high-performance buildings, focusing on their design, energy performance, economic benefits, and the role of technology and occupant behavior.

Key Insights

Definition and Attributes of High-Performance Buildings:
- High-performance buildings integrate and optimize attributes such as energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity .
- There is a lack of clarity and competing definitions regarding what constitutes a high-performance building, often overlapping with terms like "sustainable" or "green" buildings.
Energy Efficiency and Performance:
- Actual energy use in high-performance buildings varies significantly, with many not meeting established energy targets, indicating a need for improved design and operation practices .
- Key design features, such as advanced insulation and efficient HVAC systems, can significantly reduce energy demand, especially in cold climates.
Role of Technology and Design Approaches:
- An integrated design approach that considers climate, technology, occupant behavior, and operations is essential for maximizing energy savings in high-performance buildings .
- Optimization-based, knowledge-aid approaches can help designers explore various options to achieve the best possible high-performance outcomes.
Economic and Environmental Benefits:
- High-performance buildings offer long-term economic benefits by reducing operational costs and enhancing property value, making a compelling case for their adoption .
- These buildings also contribute positively to the environment by reducing CO2 emissions and the use of non-renewable energy sources .
Challenges and Opportunities in Retrofitting:
- Retrofitting high-performance buildings presents unique challenges, but data-driven analytics can identify significant energy-saving opportunities.
- Detailed performance data and advanced analytics are crucial for diagnosing inefficiencies and informing retrofit decisions.

Conclusion

High-performance buildings represent a significant advancement in building design, offering substantial energy, economic, and environmental benefits. However, achieving their full potential requires a clear understanding of their defining attributes, an integrated design approach, and the effective use of technology and data analytics. While challenges remain, particularly in retrofitting existing buildings, the continued development and application of high-performance building strategies promise to enhance both building performance and occupant well-being.

High performance buildings

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The future of high-performance buildings

The paper concludes that an intelligent building is a building that integrates and optimizes energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity, while addressing the need for clearer definitions and emerging metrics.

A knowledge-aid approach for designing high-performance buildings

This paper proposes an optimization-based knowledge-aid approach for designing high-performance buildings, enabling architects and design offices to explore various options and optimize energy needs and construction costs.

An insight into actual energy use and its drivers in high-performance buildings

An integrated design approach incorporating climate, technology, occupant behavior, and operations and maintenance practices is crucial for maximizing energy savings in high-performance buildings.

Driving Investment in High-Performance Commercial Buildings

High-performance commercial buildings increase market value and enhance occupant well-being, motivating owners, investors, and financiers to analyze risk and return and deploy strategies and technologies.

Data and analytics to inform energy retrofit of high performance buildings

This study demonstrates that high performance buildings can benefit from energy retrofits, with detailed measured data and analytics identifying potential savings of 20% of whole-building electricity consumption.

Enhanced energy conservation in houses through high performance design

High performance houses can reduce space-heating demand by up to 83% for single-family houses and by up to 85% for apartment buildings in cold climates, demonstrating their energy saving potential.

High Performance Buildings: Measures, Complexity, and Current Trends

High performance buildings require complex integration of design elements and equipment, with technology barriers hindering their realization.

The economic case for “High performance buildings”

"High performance" buildings, which are environmentally-friendly and economically beneficial, are gaining popularity and gaining support from the economic community.

Research on the high performance building and its application

High performance buildings (HPB) improve building value, environmental sustainability, and human health, while reducing energy use and promoting environmental protection.

High Performance Buildings Using Whole Building Integrated Design Approach

High Performance Building programs promote resource and energy efficiency in renovations and new construction, resulting in higher efficiency and lower utility costs while incorporating sustainable practices recognized by the US Green Building Council.

Try another search