This text provides a critical overview of sun-path-projection-systems and suggestions to select a... more This text provides a critical overview of sun-path-projection-systems and suggestions to select an appropriate system for a given situation. The text also warns for misinterpretations of the visual image of the environment. Detailed information is provided on how to compute the graphical representations. For the drawings in this text the approach is translated in a spreadsheet model. The same simple environment is used in order to compare the projection systems. The model helps to gain insight in the deformations of the 2D-representations.
The method, presented in this text, offers a tool for visualising the effect of changing certain ... more The method, presented in this text, offers a tool for visualising the effect of changing certain parameters of buildings upon the costs per Meter Square of floor area. Those parameters are the layout of a building as well as the unit rate (and thus the technical options) for elements (like walls, roofs, floors, …). Motivation Architects do not like to interpret long tables with figures and can hardly be motivated to make use of formulas during the design process. They have a graphical way of thinking. They easily interpret a graph; they have a feeling for proportions and are attracted by a visual representation. The aim of the method presented here, is to add a graphical output to the well-established "Element method for cost control". The method was elaborated at the end of the fifties in Great-Britain (1) and has been in use since then, as proved by a recent publication (2) containing a reprint of the "Standard Form of Cost Analysis" by BICS (Building Cost Info...
A b s t r a c t A fundamental change in the planning and delivery of new housing projects has tak... more A b s t r a c t A fundamental change in the planning and delivery of new housing projects has taken place in the last years, with the focus shifting towards adding value to projects based on a better understanding of housing preferences. This issue becomes even more critical when it is intended to the provision of affordable houses for low and middle income groups. This paper describes a model designed to help developers and housing users to achieve their expectations regarding quality, affordability and including also reasonable profits. Developed through a "methodological pluralism", this study identifies people-oriented variables and assumptions. The model was developed based on a case study in the city of Guayaquil-Ecuador, and information obtained from field work research was used to test it. The study examines impli-cations and limitations of the model for inclusion of housing preferences considering local conditions and cultural val-ues. The different parts of the m...
Until now energy regulations for buildings in Belgium especially paid attention to thermal insula... more Until now energy regulations for buildings in Belgium especially paid attention to thermal insulation and from 2006 on will include the total energy use during use phase. However, the whole life cycle of the building should be taken into account (impact of the production of materials, maintenance of the building and transport) as well as the desired qualities. A tool for the evaluation of buildings is being developed which calculates, on the one hand, the yearly environmental burden per square meter of floor area, on the other, the qualities. This tool is based on a methodology which incorporates different existing methods: lifecycle analysis, multi-criteria analysis and the 'element method'. The latter takes into account building typologies, layout and size of the building. Since most important design decisions are taken during the first design phase, it is aimed at implementing the tool at this phase. The use of the tool will force builders to analyze environmental impacts...
In the South Asian region, mass production approaches of large housing projects have been used fo... more In the South Asian region, mass production approaches of large housing projects have been used for several decades. A large number of housing units have been built but are not fully occupied. Insight in housing preference is crucial information for designers and developers. Many studies have analyzed housing preferences but they are not used, moreover, most data sources from questionnaires and historical documents are elaborated with high cost and outdated when available. To understand housing preference and housing plot preferences, we propose a method to derive them from selected internet websites, and include them in a decision model at the early investment stage. The text elaborates how to derive a utility function with diminishing marginal utility via regression analysis and how to include this in a decision model. There are two clear conclusions: First, housing preference is only slightly better described with a non-linear utility function than linear one. Second, visual summa...
Rapid urbanization in emerging economies, like Vietnam, is commonly realized via the multiplicati... more Rapid urbanization in emerging economies, like Vietnam, is commonly realized via the multiplication of stereotype projects consisting of high-rise apartment blocks, terraced, semi-detached and detached houses. For these types of dwellings, in the hot and humid Vietnamese climate, individual air conditioning systems are typically used. This requires a large share of the country energy resources. Until recently comfortable traditional housing has however been built without using such energy intensive cooling. This paper focuses on the energy consumption and thermal comfort in residential buildings if only natural ventilation is used, taking into account the urban environment. Via a parametric simulation several building types are optimized, looking at the urban layout, building orientation and size, window design and internal wind permeability. A two-step procedure is followed for the analysis. Firstly, a simplified model is used to analyse a large range of design alternatives and sec...
Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade ... more Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade and renovation of our existing residential building stock. A lack of adaptability of buildings, however, often leads to destructive interventions, resulting in financial and environmental impacts. The goal of this paper is to contribute to the search for new design concepts enabling easier and more cost-effective upgrade and renovation of buildings. It should moreover contribute in achieving a lower life cycle environmental impact. A more dynamic design is evaluated in the specific context of a social housing project in Mechelen (Belgium). In this context, building elements with reversible detailing techniques facilitating disassembly and component reuse are compared to more traditional static elements. The benefits and drawbacks are assessed at the building level using a life cycle approach of economic and environmental aspects, i.e. a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment ...
Environmental improvement is necessary for the highly polluting building stock to achieve a more ... more Environmental improvement is necessary for the highly polluting building stock to achieve a more sustainable society. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the well-known tools for the evaluation of environmental impact. Aiming at the environmental improvement of buildings, an attempt has been done to carry out comparative LCA's, leading to the observation that the definition of the functional unit is problematic. To overcome this problem, a methodology is proposed which integrates a quality evaluation and life-cycle costing (LCC) as two essential parts of the analysis. Moreover the LCA is integrated in the element method to make comparative LCA possible. 1 INTRODUCTION Similar to other countries, the construction sector (including housing) in Belgium is responsible for an important part of the total environmental impact. The construction sector for example constitutes 56% of the yearly extraction of sand [1, pp. 3] and the building related energy use (housing included) stands f...
ABSTRACT When striving for sustainable buildings, the focus is often set on the optimization of t... more ABSTRACT When striving for sustainable buildings, the focus is often set on the optimization of the building environmental impact. In that perspective, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is widely used to calculate the environmental impact and through comparative studies, the preferred design options are chosen. As costs are however a very important issue in decision taking, it is important to include costs in the analysis too. Although decisions are often only based on investment cost, we recommend considering also the life cycle cost (LCC) to guarantee long term affordability. This paper illustrates the importance of considering both aspects by discussing the optimisation of 16 representative residential buildings in Belgium from both an environmental and financial perspective. The question raises how to handle contradictions between the results of an LCA and LCC study of a building. The paper discusses and illustrates the promising approach of monetary valuation of environmental impacts. Recommendations are formulated based on the experience in the Belgian context.
In this contribution a previously developed indicator, based on the "Test Reference Year&quo... more In this contribution a previously developed indicator, based on the "Test Reference Year", for the yearly discomfort experienced in tropical climates, is further elaborated. The effect of different "wind speed modification profiles" on this dis-comfort indicator is analysed. "Wind speed modification profiles" are defined as a factor for each direction (in steps of 10° as in the TRY) that expresses the reduction or the amplification of the wind speed from that direction. In a last step synthetic overview charts are generated visualising how the total yearly discomfort by overheating is changing if the orientation of the "wind speed modification profile" changes. This approach allows to evaluate how effective passive means for cooling by ventilation can be in a given context and what is the most appropriate direction for openings. Havana (Cuba) is used as example.
This paper describes how the wealth of information stored in a Test Reference Year can be visuali... more This paper describes how the wealth of information stored in a Test Reference Year can be visualised making use of a set of macros in Excel. The aim is to make users aware of the fact that the same daily, monthly, and yearly average values can hide a wide variety of realities. Visualised aspects are temperature, relative humidity and the combination of both, wind direction and speed, a comfort indicator for tropical climates based on the three previous parameters, solar irradiation on a horizontal plane and on sloped planes with different orientations. Solar radiation is analysed as well in an open environment as with standardised or specific vertical obstructions. For the analysis of irradiation EnergyPlus is used. Havana (Cuba) is used as an illustration.
This text provides a critical overview of sun-path-projection-systems and suggestions to select a... more This text provides a critical overview of sun-path-projection-systems and suggestions to select an appropriate system for a given situation. The text also warns for misinterpretations of the visual image of the environment. Detailed information is provided on how to compute the graphical representations. For the drawings in this text the approach is translated in a spreadsheet model. The same simple environment is used in order to compare the projection systems. The model helps to gain insight in the deformations of the 2D-representations.
The method, presented in this text, offers a tool for visualising the effect of changing certain ... more The method, presented in this text, offers a tool for visualising the effect of changing certain parameters of buildings upon the costs per Meter Square of floor area. Those parameters are the layout of a building as well as the unit rate (and thus the technical options) for elements (like walls, roofs, floors, …). Motivation Architects do not like to interpret long tables with figures and can hardly be motivated to make use of formulas during the design process. They have a graphical way of thinking. They easily interpret a graph; they have a feeling for proportions and are attracted by a visual representation. The aim of the method presented here, is to add a graphical output to the well-established "Element method for cost control". The method was elaborated at the end of the fifties in Great-Britain (1) and has been in use since then, as proved by a recent publication (2) containing a reprint of the "Standard Form of Cost Analysis" by BICS (Building Cost Info...
A b s t r a c t A fundamental change in the planning and delivery of new housing projects has tak... more A b s t r a c t A fundamental change in the planning and delivery of new housing projects has taken place in the last years, with the focus shifting towards adding value to projects based on a better understanding of housing preferences. This issue becomes even more critical when it is intended to the provision of affordable houses for low and middle income groups. This paper describes a model designed to help developers and housing users to achieve their expectations regarding quality, affordability and including also reasonable profits. Developed through a "methodological pluralism", this study identifies people-oriented variables and assumptions. The model was developed based on a case study in the city of Guayaquil-Ecuador, and information obtained from field work research was used to test it. The study examines impli-cations and limitations of the model for inclusion of housing preferences considering local conditions and cultural val-ues. The different parts of the m...
Until now energy regulations for buildings in Belgium especially paid attention to thermal insula... more Until now energy regulations for buildings in Belgium especially paid attention to thermal insulation and from 2006 on will include the total energy use during use phase. However, the whole life cycle of the building should be taken into account (impact of the production of materials, maintenance of the building and transport) as well as the desired qualities. A tool for the evaluation of buildings is being developed which calculates, on the one hand, the yearly environmental burden per square meter of floor area, on the other, the qualities. This tool is based on a methodology which incorporates different existing methods: lifecycle analysis, multi-criteria analysis and the 'element method'. The latter takes into account building typologies, layout and size of the building. Since most important design decisions are taken during the first design phase, it is aimed at implementing the tool at this phase. The use of the tool will force builders to analyze environmental impacts...
In the South Asian region, mass production approaches of large housing projects have been used fo... more In the South Asian region, mass production approaches of large housing projects have been used for several decades. A large number of housing units have been built but are not fully occupied. Insight in housing preference is crucial information for designers and developers. Many studies have analyzed housing preferences but they are not used, moreover, most data sources from questionnaires and historical documents are elaborated with high cost and outdated when available. To understand housing preference and housing plot preferences, we propose a method to derive them from selected internet websites, and include them in a decision model at the early investment stage. The text elaborates how to derive a utility function with diminishing marginal utility via regression analysis and how to include this in a decision model. There are two clear conclusions: First, housing preference is only slightly better described with a non-linear utility function than linear one. Second, visual summa...
Rapid urbanization in emerging economies, like Vietnam, is commonly realized via the multiplicati... more Rapid urbanization in emerging economies, like Vietnam, is commonly realized via the multiplication of stereotype projects consisting of high-rise apartment blocks, terraced, semi-detached and detached houses. For these types of dwellings, in the hot and humid Vietnamese climate, individual air conditioning systems are typically used. This requires a large share of the country energy resources. Until recently comfortable traditional housing has however been built without using such energy intensive cooling. This paper focuses on the energy consumption and thermal comfort in residential buildings if only natural ventilation is used, taking into account the urban environment. Via a parametric simulation several building types are optimized, looking at the urban layout, building orientation and size, window design and internal wind permeability. A two-step procedure is followed for the analysis. Firstly, a simplified model is used to analyse a large range of design alternatives and sec...
Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade ... more Continuously changing household needs and evolving building standards require a frequent upgrade and renovation of our existing residential building stock. A lack of adaptability of buildings, however, often leads to destructive interventions, resulting in financial and environmental impacts. The goal of this paper is to contribute to the search for new design concepts enabling easier and more cost-effective upgrade and renovation of buildings. It should moreover contribute in achieving a lower life cycle environmental impact. A more dynamic design is evaluated in the specific context of a social housing project in Mechelen (Belgium). In this context, building elements with reversible detailing techniques facilitating disassembly and component reuse are compared to more traditional static elements. The benefits and drawbacks are assessed at the building level using a life cycle approach of economic and environmental aspects, i.e. a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment ...
Environmental improvement is necessary for the highly polluting building stock to achieve a more ... more Environmental improvement is necessary for the highly polluting building stock to achieve a more sustainable society. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the well-known tools for the evaluation of environmental impact. Aiming at the environmental improvement of buildings, an attempt has been done to carry out comparative LCA's, leading to the observation that the definition of the functional unit is problematic. To overcome this problem, a methodology is proposed which integrates a quality evaluation and life-cycle costing (LCC) as two essential parts of the analysis. Moreover the LCA is integrated in the element method to make comparative LCA possible. 1 INTRODUCTION Similar to other countries, the construction sector (including housing) in Belgium is responsible for an important part of the total environmental impact. The construction sector for example constitutes 56% of the yearly extraction of sand [1, pp. 3] and the building related energy use (housing included) stands f...
ABSTRACT When striving for sustainable buildings, the focus is often set on the optimization of t... more ABSTRACT When striving for sustainable buildings, the focus is often set on the optimization of the building environmental impact. In that perspective, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is widely used to calculate the environmental impact and through comparative studies, the preferred design options are chosen. As costs are however a very important issue in decision taking, it is important to include costs in the analysis too. Although decisions are often only based on investment cost, we recommend considering also the life cycle cost (LCC) to guarantee long term affordability. This paper illustrates the importance of considering both aspects by discussing the optimisation of 16 representative residential buildings in Belgium from both an environmental and financial perspective. The question raises how to handle contradictions between the results of an LCA and LCC study of a building. The paper discusses and illustrates the promising approach of monetary valuation of environmental impacts. Recommendations are formulated based on the experience in the Belgian context.
In this contribution a previously developed indicator, based on the "Test Reference Year&quo... more In this contribution a previously developed indicator, based on the "Test Reference Year", for the yearly discomfort experienced in tropical climates, is further elaborated. The effect of different "wind speed modification profiles" on this dis-comfort indicator is analysed. "Wind speed modification profiles" are defined as a factor for each direction (in steps of 10° as in the TRY) that expresses the reduction or the amplification of the wind speed from that direction. In a last step synthetic overview charts are generated visualising how the total yearly discomfort by overheating is changing if the orientation of the "wind speed modification profile" changes. This approach allows to evaluate how effective passive means for cooling by ventilation can be in a given context and what is the most appropriate direction for openings. Havana (Cuba) is used as example.
This paper describes how the wealth of information stored in a Test Reference Year can be visuali... more This paper describes how the wealth of information stored in a Test Reference Year can be visualised making use of a set of macros in Excel. The aim is to make users aware of the fact that the same daily, monthly, and yearly average values can hide a wide variety of realities. Visualised aspects are temperature, relative humidity and the combination of both, wind direction and speed, a comfort indicator for tropical climates based on the three previous parameters, solar irradiation on a horizontal plane and on sloped planes with different orientations. Solar radiation is analysed as well in an open environment as with standardised or specific vertical obstructions. For the analysis of irradiation EnergyPlus is used. Havana (Cuba) is used as an illustration.
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