Influence of building shape and orientation on heating demand: simulations for student dormitories in temperate climate conditions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of preliminary design decisions such as building shape and orientation on its heating demand. After analysing plans of forty student dormitories located in heating dominated climate (Dfb and Cfb), eight typical plan layouts were identified and chosen for further analysis. Eight buildings were modelled using these plans and uploaded to dynamic simulation tool, Sefaira. Buildings have the same characteristics (surface, height, thermal properties, location etc.). The next step was to rotate the buildings at 45° intervals and simulate the annual heating demand for each case. The results show that the shape influences the heating energy consumption. The difference between minimum and maximum heating demand in the chosen sample was 50%. The square – shaped buildings have advantages in terms of heating energy consumption over L, U and C-shaped buildings as well as over rectangles with different shape factor. Orientation does not substantially influence the consumption in well insulated buildings. Last step of the research was to analyse the influence of functional layout on heating energy and internal comfort in a square-shaped building.