Solar-optimum design principles for office buildings

Abstract

New concept of passive cooling of buildings is presented in this article.. In order to achieve that, it is planned to define three basic elements of the building concept – shape of building, sun movement and sustainability of the building. These parameters will serve as corner stone’s also further in development of building concept. In addition not only passive cooling elements are considered during concept elaboration process but also passive building basic principles which include building location, window placement on facades, room alignment, building constructions and high comfort level. Dynamic simulation software was used in order to perform calculations, and to make conclusions on most optimal window/wall proportions and passive cooling potential. Paper presents study on multi apartment buildings renovation specifics in Latvia and its influence on total energy consumption. The necessary reconstruction goals are defined to reach European Regional Development Fund project “A New Concept for Sustainable and Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings” Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/007 main targets.