Multivariate optimization of design trade-offs for solar low energy buildings

The large number of different design options available for energy conscious building design calls for careful quantitative assessments to find the optimum technology mix for each project. Here, a numerical multivariate optimization procedure is introduced, to draft the optimum building design variables at an early design stage. The approach is based on integrating a non-linear optimization scheme with building modeling, whereby the basic physical, technical and economic interactions between the building design options and energy flows are accounted for. The optimization tool developed then finds the economic optimum, given the project-specific boundary conditions and the energy consumption target. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated through a set of case studies. © 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.