Extract

ABSTRACT: This paper reports the testing of appropriate design standards to optimize energy
performance in the pursuit of building retrofits. The impact of whole-building “best” and “normal”
practice standards are predicted and evaluated using as a case study a forty-year-old heavy coredependent
deep-plan twenty-three storey office building in Brisbane. Predictive modelling used
DesignBuilder simulation software. A Forward Simulation Model (FSM) and Data-Driven Simulation
Models (DDSM) contributed to the evaluation of “normal” and “best” practice standards. With higher
thermal resistance in the built fabric the PassivHaus Model (PHM) – a “best” practice standard –
demonstrated a maximum energy saving of 9.5%. Findings suggest that retrofitting for energy saving
in internal-load dominated office buildings requires strategies to control internal loads. The wholebuilding
energy standards with efficient operational profiles promoted 46% of energy savings, showing
systematic appraisal and prediction to derive case-specific design solutions in satisfying the regulatory
measures for future commercial buildings in Australia.

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