A Biophilic Design Approach for Improved Energy Performance in Retrofitting Residential Projects

Maliha Afroz Nitu, Ozgur Gocer, Niranjika Wijesooriya, Diksha Vijapur and Christhina Candido
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Maliha Afroz Nitu: School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Ozgur Gocer: School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Niranjika Wijesooriya: School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Diksha Vijapur: Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
Christhina Candido: Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: The existing building stock is recognised as a major contributor to total energy consumption and related carbon emissions around the globe. There is increased attention on the retrofit of existing building stock, especially residential buildings, as a way of curbing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Within this context, human nature connectedness (HNC) has the potential of further amplifying the benefits of sustainable buildings both from an energy conservation practice and tangible improvements to users’ satisfaction, health, and wellbeing. This study attempts to show a case study of the potential of using HNC through the adoption of biophilic design principles to improve a residential building performance. A terrace house located in Sydney, NSW, was used as a case study and proposed retrofit scenarios were simulated with DesignBuilder ® and Rhinoceros/Grasshopper with a view of improved daylighting, thermal comfort, and energy consumption. The building performance is improved in terms of daylighting, thermal comfort, and reduced energy consumption, additionally enhancing HNC.

Keywords: biophilic design; human nature connectedness; biophilia; retrofitting; energy performance; occupant comfort; urban terrace house; Sydney (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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