Evaluation of the Effects of Building Elements on Human Comfort in Intelligent Buildings at the Design Phase

An intelligent building is one facet of the green building movement which plays a promising role in improving environmental sustainability in society. For developing intelligent buildings, there are many areas to be considered... [ view full abstract ]

An intelligent building is one facet of the green building movement which plays a promising role in improving environmental sustainability in society. For developing intelligent buildings, there are many areas to be considered in every stage of a building’s life including design, construction, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction. In this article, we focus on opportunities for intelligent buildings in the design phase, where early decisions impact outcomes throughout the life of a building in terms of energy efficiency, occupant comfort, safety, security, and so forth. To achieve the goal of improving human comfort in intelligent buildings, multiple comfort factors such as thermal, visual, acoustics, and indoor air quality must be considered at the same time. Due to the complexity of these issues, it is helpful to utilize a systematic approach to identify optimal solutions. “Systems Thinking” is a framework that is used to understand the interdependent parameters of dynamic configurations so that designers can better recognize leverage points that gear toward desirable results. A Systems Thinking perspective can play a vital role in the design process for the development of intelligent buildings. Because Systems Thinking can provide a framework seeking to optimize the whole system by focusing on and modifying distinct elements and their interactions, this paper discusses opportunities for an intelligent building specifically to provide a comfort environment for occupants. The thermal, visual, acoustics, and indoor air quality factors as they related to intelligent buildings are discussed through the lens of Systems Thinking as a theoretical framework. Steps and processes resulting from the Systems Thinking framework to optimize and enhance human comfort in built environments are proposed. The resulting framework illustrates how designers may improve human comfort by considering several items (i) windows, (ii) HVAC systems, (iii) materials, and (iv) electrical lights. Systems Thinking framework suggests that windows have the most impact on improving human comfort. After windows, HVAC is shown to be the second most effective elements in building design in term of human comfort; materials and electric lighting have the same impact on human comfort level.