Design Optimization of Open Office Building Form for Thermal Energy Performance using Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

Article history: Received: 16 January, 2021 Accepted: 12 February, 2021 Online: 10 March, 2021 Consideration of building energy performance in the early stage of the design process is very important to help minimizing energy consumed by the built environment. Therefore, help in minimizing energy crisis problem. Optimization of building form and orientation at the early stage of the design process can save a significant amount of energy consumed by the building. This paper proposes an annual thermal energy performance-based form making (EPBFM) method that generates numerous design configurations and tests their annual thermal energy performance till it reaches an optimal solution. The proposed workflow uses 3d parametric modeling program, energy simulation program, and genetic algorithm. A case study of an open plan office building is used to evaluate the proposed workflow in three different cities with different climates, Cairo, London, and Chicago. Building’s contexts were not considered in order to highlight the change of the building form and orientation caused due to the change in climate conditions. Then, Scatterplots were developed to test the impact of each dynamic parameter on thermal energy use intensity (EUI). Compared to the initial square shaped building, optimization results showed that thermal EUI decreased by 22.76%, 29.7%, and 19.2% in Cairo, London, and Chicago, respectively. Manipulation of building area along one axis and each floor area along the other axis proved to have the highest positive impact in decreasing thermal EUI.