Parametric study of design parameters and thermal comfort in primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

Overheating of premises is a typical thermal discomfort issue in naturally ventilated primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Several design parameters were shown to affect the indoor thermal environment. A parametric study was conducted and based on several building performance simulations to investigate the influences of the individual design parameters on indoor air temperatures and the prevalence of overheating in primary schools. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the material of building envelopes, the openings, and the solar controls, in descending order, affected overheating occurrence. The findings could assist the architect in choosing which parameters should be prioritised in the design stage, which is particularly useful in renovation and retrofit projects.