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2 December 2025

A Sustainable Design Optimization of Atrium Spaces in Commercial Complexes for Enhanced Photothermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Severe Cold Regions

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1
College of Architecture and Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
2
School of Water Conservancy and Architecture Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 830046, China
3
School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
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Sustainability2025, 17(23), 10818;https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310818 
(registering DOI)
This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Sustainable Built Environments: Energy Systems, Technologies and Building Design

Abstract

The construction sector’s significant energy consumption poses a substantial challenge to achieving global “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” goals. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a sustainable design framework to optimize atrium spaces in commercial complexes within severe cold regions, where the conflict between high heating energy demands and the pursuit of high-quality spatial experiences is acute. Our climate-adaptive method integrates parametric modeling (Grasshopper) with building performance simulation (Ladybug Tools and Honeybee) to form a multi-objective optimization process using the NSGA-II algorithm. The goal is to simultaneously minimize operational energy (by reducing the seasonal solar heat gain difference, D-RAD) and enhance occupant well-being (by improving useful daylight illuminance, SUMUDI, and thermal discomfort, SUMPPD). Results demonstrate that our framework generated design solutions that significantly improve environmental performance compared to a baseline model: aggregate useful daylight illuminance (SUMUDI) increased by 90.2%, the solar heat gain difference (D-RAD) was reduced by 40.8%, and thermal discomfort (SUMPPD) decreased by 22.7%. This research provides a quantifiable and replicable methodology for sustainable architectural design, contributing directly to the measurement and monitoring of sustainability in the built environment by balancing energy conservation with human-centric design.

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