Optimizing thermal and visual efficiency using parametric configuration of skylights in heritage buildings

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering Vol. 31; p. 101385
• Main Authors: Marzouk, Mohamed, ElSharkawy, Maryam, Eissa, Aya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Energy simulation; Heritage retrofit; Optimization; Skylight configuration; Thermal comfort; Visual comfort; Visual comfort; Skylight configuration; Thermal comfort; Heritage retrofit; Energy simulation; Optimization
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101385

The majority of heritage buildings’ current deterioration state prevents those buildings from performing efficiently. Hence, a sustainable reuse approach for heritage buildings is considered essential. However, it is challenging, especially in old palaces that are usually reused with different functions mostly such as museums for their considered interior beauty and unique rich designs. Function alteration together with being in a deteriorated state augments the energy consumption problem. Due to the resulted failure in meeting the needs of potential users, and the fact that energy reduction has been a common target in all building types, energy and daylight optimization is a priority when it comes to sustainable reuse. Recent technologies have been providing supportive tools that facilitate building data retrieval, modeling, energy and light simulation. In this research, an Egyptian heritage palace is studied for possible sustainable reuse. Diva-grasshopper parametric software is utilized to simulate thermal and daylight conditions where multi-objective genetic optimization is explored with Octopus plugin, which is able to provide the best overall solution as a tradeoff maximizing daylight illuminance and minimizing energy consumption. The research proposes energy and daylight enhancement through different skylight configurations with the usage of relevant technologies that are explored, tested, and validated. The optimization of different skylight parameters is evaluated for their combined performance. The results reveal an improved performance which indicates the effectiveness of the energy and daylight optimized strategies and techniques for heritage reuse. In which they should be provided as a guideline for the enhancement of similar cases. •Enhancing energy and daylight through different skylight configurations in heritage buildings.•Simulating energy consumption (kW/h) and useful daylight illuminance (UDI) to assess the performance of heritage buildings.•Using Building performance analysis tools to facilitate building data retrieval, modeling, and simulation.•Exploring the parameters that affect the thermal and visual behavior of the heritage building skylight.