Architecture, Building and Planning - Research Publications

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Author: Crawford, Robert × Author: Jensen, Christopher × Author: Stephan, Andre × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2010 ×

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    Improving the life cycle energy performance of apartment units through facade design
    Stephan, A ; Jensen, CA ; Crawford, RH ; Hajdu, M ; Skibniewski, ME (ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2017)
    The construction and operation of buildings require huge amounts of resources and contribute to climate change and resource depletion. In Australia, apartment buildings are increasingly being erected and are typically characterized by fully-glazed façades with a limited understanding of the life cycle implications of such design. This study uses a typical apartment unit in three climates (Melbourne, Australia; Brisbane, Australia; and Dunedin, New Zealand) and tests 87 different façade variations involving a range of window-to-wall ratios, window types and wall types. For each variation, the life cycle energy demand is quantified over 50 years and compared to that of the base case. Results show that the window-to-wall ratio is the most significant parameter and that smaller glazed areas reduce both embodied and operational energy use. Climate and orientation are other significant parameters, modifying the ranking of variations in terms of life cycle energy performance. In addition, the embodied energy of the façade represented, on average, 45% of the apartments’ life cycle energy demand, highlighting the importance of material selection. Reducing glazed area, considering a life cycle approach and carefully composing a façade with respect to climate and orientation are therefore critical factors in improving the life cycle energy performance of apartment units.
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    Towards Buildings that Thrive
    Crawford, RH ; Stephan, A ; Jensen, CA ; Hes, D ; Soccio, P (The University of Melbourne, 2016)
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    Evaluating the life cycle energy benefits of energy efficiency regulations for buildings
    Crawford, RH ; Bartak, EL ; Stephan, A ; Jensen, CA (Elsevier, 2016-09-01)
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    Does current policy on building energy efficiency reduce a building’s life cycle energy demand?
    Crawford, RH ; Bartak, E ; Stephan, A ; Jensen, CA ; Crawford, RH ; Stephan, A (The Architectural Science Association and The University of Melbourne, 2015)
    Building energy efficiency regulations often focus solely on thermal energy demands. Increasing the thermal performance of the building envelope through additional insulation and efficient windows is the typical approach to increasing building thermal energy efficiency. This can result in a significant increase in embodied energy which is currently not considered in building energy regulations. A case study house in Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia is used to investigate the life cycle primary energy repercussions of increasing building energy efficiency levels over 50 years. Embodied and operational energy are quantified using the comprehensive hybrid approach and a dynamic software tool, respectively. Energy efficiency is improved by material or design changes as well as a combination of both. Results show that while increasing the envelope thermal energy performance yields thermal operational energy savings, these can be offset by the additional embodied energy required for additional insulation materials and more efficient windows. The point at which increasing the thermal performance of the envelope does not yield life cycle energy benefits is just above current minimum energy efficiency standards in Australia. In order to reduce a building’s life cycle energy demand, a more comprehensive approach that includes embodied energy and emphasises design changes is needed.