Optimizing Office Building Design for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort

Research conducted by Hunan University and funded by the Hunan Province Postgraduate Research Innovation Project has yielded new data on building construction, specifically on the optimization of office building design for energy efficiency and thermal comfort. The study employed a multi-objective genetic algorithm to optimize seven key design variables, including floor plan aspect ratio, building orientation angle, and window-to-wall ratios. The results indicate that optimal comprehensive performance across energy use, thermal comfort, and visual comfort can be achieved under specific conditions.

Key Takeaways:

• The study aimed to optimize office building design for energy efficiency and thermal comfort by parameterizing seven key design variables: floor plan aspect ratio, building orientation angle, window-to-wall ratios, shading strategy, shading device orientation, shading device length, and shading device spacing.
• The research employed a multi-objective genetic algorithm to conduct a global optimization search, with simultaneous analysis across the east, south, west, and north facades to obtain a set of Pareto-optimal solutions.
• The results indicate that optimal comprehensive performance across energy use, thermal comfort, and visual comfort can be achieved under the following conditions: a floor plan aspect ratio of 0.67-1, building rotation of 0-20° clockwise, an east-facing WWR of 0.4, south- and west-facing WWRs of 0.2-0.4, and a north-facing WWR of 0.4-0.6.
• For shading, horizontal devices with a length of 0.8-1.0 m, downward tilt angle of 10-30°, and spacing of 0.6-1.2 m are recommended.
• The findings provide scientific parameter references and optimization pathways for the design of high-performance office buildings in various climate conditions.

Statistics:

• The study optimized seven key design variables to achieve optimal comprehensive performance across energy use, thermal comfort, and visual comfort.
• The study conducted a global optimization search using a multi-objective genetic algorithm, analyzing across the east, south, west, and north facades.
• The results indicate that optimal comprehensive performance can be achieved under the following conditions: a floor plan aspect ratio of 0.67-1, building rotation of 0-20° clockwise, an east-facing WWR of 0.4, south- and west-facing WWRs of 0.2-0.4, and a north-facing WWR of 0.4-0.6.
• For shading, horizontal devices with a length of 0.8-1.0 m, downward tilt angle of 10-30°, and spacing of 0.6-1.2 m are recommended.
• The study was funded by the Hunan Province Postgraduate Research Innovation Project.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Hunan University Researchers Yield New Data on Building Construction (Research on the Optimization Design of High-Rise Office Building Performance Based on a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm). Life Science Weekly. June 10, 2025; p 1794.
• Buildings, 2025, 15(10):1636. (Buildings - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings).