Abu Dhabi Schools: Optimization of Building Form for Energy Efficiency: Fid-Bau Portal

Abu Dhabi Schools: Optimization of Building Form for Energy Efficiency

Rahmani, Meriem / Al-Sallal, Khaled A.

Abstract This paper tackles the issue of increased building energy in schools via optimization of building form. The methodology at the outset included an extensive survey that covered all schools under ADEK authority, in addition to statistical analysis that helped define the possible building form variables and their ranges in order to investigate the optimum architectural forms. Finally, a computer hour-by-hour simulation was conducted to test and optimize the impact of the different building form variables. This helped in improving energy savings with consideration to improving other sustainability factors to create healthy and cheerful environment for the students. The focus of this paper is the initial stage, which is the survey of the ADEK schools and the analysis of the case studies; a pilot energy simulation was conducted on the case studies to test in principle the potential impact of the derived variables on energy consumption. The investigation was based on Abu Dhabi environmental conditions with respect to ADEK school’s requirements and Estidama green building guidelines. The results revealed that building form variables such as form geometry, spacing between building masses, form axes direction, and aspect ratio, in addition to WWR, could help achieve the targeted energy savings while enhancing the connection to daylighting, greenery, and natural air.