Design of a Low-Energy Envelope System for an Apartment Building Through an Integrated Design Process: a Case Study

The potential to conserve energy in an apartment building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada through the implementation of an advanced envelope system was explored in this study. This paper illustrates the possibility in reducing energy demand through an integrated design process (IDP), where research outcomes were incorporated into the architectural design. Using the floor plan and schematics provided by the designer, a building energy model was established in an advanced simulation program to evaluate the performances of nine low-energy envelope design strategies in reducing the heating and cooling energy consumption. Through this study, it can be concluded that performing detailed energy simulations early in the design process to identify which low-energy envelope strategies can be omitted or substituted in the final envelope design is crucial in identifying the most effective strategies for improving energy performance. This study also demonstrates the potential of collaboration between academia and industry in generating high performance buildings.