Climate, buildings’ envelope design and energy patterns: improving energy performance of new buildings in Kuwait
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 26 October 2021
Issue publication date: 27 February 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The two main contributing factors that control the overall buildings’ energy performance are the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and the envelope design. Environmental design guidelines that consider these two factors aim to lower energy consumption. However, they are regional and climate-sensitive. This study aims to investigate how three main buildings’ envelope design variables (orientation, compactness and window to wall ratio) impact the overall building’s energy consumption within Kuwait’s regional and climate conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study simulate the energy consumption of typically shaped buildings by varying their geometry between a square to a rectangular floor plan. This study analyse the associated energy usage and provide early-stage envelope design guidance specific to the country’s conditions, to make informed decisions towards environmentally conscious buildings.
Findings
The analysed envelope variables have the potential to reduce energy consumption by 40%, and the possibility to reduce HVAC system capacity by 30%. In contrast to the general guidance in literature and standards, the simulation results demonstrate that less compact building forms perform on occasions better than the most compact ones.
Originality/value
The objective of this paper is to quantify the energy consumption rates for buildings located within the Arabian Peninsula, an under-studied region with potentially high interest considering three main envelope design variables. The buildings’ yearly energy consumption patterns are unique and suggest different envelope design considerations, compared to other regions with different climate conditions. This emphasises the importance of regional guidelines for the different factors associated with energy and buildings’ environmental performance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiary Kuwait Oil Company (KOC).
Citation
Almufarrej, A.M. and Erfani, T. (2023), "Climate, buildings’ envelope design and energy patterns: improving energy performance of new buildings in Kuwait", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 30 No. 1, pp. 172-188. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2021-0360
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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