Search Results (166)

If implemented properly in architectural design, passive measures can contribute to achieving the desired comfort in a building while reducing its energy consumption. Glazed additions in the form of sunspaces or greenhouses can influence the improvement of building energy efficiency and, at the same time, create appealing and pleasant building extensions. Through energy simulations performed using EnergyPlus software, this study aims to analyze the potential contribution of glazed additions to a detached house to reducing energy consumption and creating additional space for living. Research was performed as a case study at the following locations: Niš (Serbia), Berlin (Germany), and Tromsø (Norway). For the purposes of this study, five models (M0–M4) were developed and subjected to analysis across two different scenarios. The results of the conducted research showed that the integration of glazed elements can significantly contribute to energy savings: maximum total annual savings regarding heating and cooling go from 21% for Tromsø, up to 32% for Berlin and 40% for Niš, depending on whether the building to which the glazed element(s) is/are attached is insulated or not and the number and the position of glazed elements. Although glazed additions can create a pleasant microclimate around the house, the overheating observed in the study indicates that proper ventilation and shading are mandatory, especially in more southern locations. Full article

Improving the energy efficiency of residential buildings is essential for achieving global climate goals and reducing environmental impact. This study analyzes the Total Performance approach using the example of a modern semi-detached house built by a Polish developer, as an example. The building is designed with integrated systems that minimize energy consumption while maintaining resident comfort. The building is equipped with an air-to-water heat pump, underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and automatic temperature control systems. Energy efficiency was assessed using ArCADia–TERMOCAD 8.0 software in accordance with Polish Technical Specifications (TS) and verified by monitoring real-time electricity consumption during the heating season. The results show a PED from non-renewable sources of 54.05 kWh/(m²·year), representing a 23% reduction compared to the Polish regulatory limit of 70 kWh/(m²·year). Real-time monitoring conducted from December 2024 to April 2025 confirmed these results, indicating an actual energy demand of approximately 1771 kWh/year. Domestic hot water (DHW) preparation accounted for the largest share of energy consumption. Despite its dependence on grid electricity, the building has the infrastructure to enable future photovoltaic (PV) installation, offering further potential for emissions reduction. The results confirm that Total Performance strategies are not only compliant with applicable standards, but also economically and environmentally viable. They represent a scalable model for sustainable residential construction, in line with the European Union’s (EU’s) decarbonization policy and the goals of the European Green Deal. Full article

This work—mixing an original experimental approach, as well as numerical simulations—proposes to study film boiling modes around a small nickel sphere. While dealing with a simple looking phenomenon that is found in many industrial processes and has been solved for basic quenching regimes, we focus on describing precisely how vapor formation and film thicknesses, as well as vapor bubble evacuation, affect cooling kinetics. As instrumenting small spheres may lead to experimental inaccuracies, we optically captured, using a high-speed camera, the vapor film thickness at mid height, the vapor bubble volume, and the bubble detachment frequency, along with the heat flux. More precisely, an estimation of the instant sphere temperature, in different conditions, was obtained through cooling time measurement before the end of the film boiling mode, subsequently facilitating heat flux evaluation. We encountered a nearly linear decrease in both the vapor film thickness and vapor bubble volume as the sphere temperature decreased. Notably, the detachment frequency remained constant across the whole temperature range. The estimation of the heat fluxes confirmed the prevalence of conduction as the primary heat transfer mode; a major portion of the energy was spent increasing the liquid temperature. The results were then compared to finite element simulations using an in-house multiphysics solver, including thermic phase changes (liquid to vapor) and their hydrodynamics, and we also captured the interfaces. While presenting a challenge due to the contrast in densities and viscosities between phases, the importance of the small circulations along them, which improve the heat removal in the liquid phase, was highlighted; we also assessed the suitability of the model and the numerical code for the simulation of such quenching cases when subcooling in the vicinity of a saturation temperature. Full article

In Saudi Arabia’s hot and arid climate, residential buildings account for over half of national electricity consumption, with cooling demands alone responsible for more than 70% of this use. This paper explores the hypothesis that contemporary villa designs are inherently inefficient and that current building regulations fall short of enabling adequate thermal performance. This issue is expected to become increasingly significant in the near future as external temperatures continue to rise. The study aims to assess whether passive design strategies rooted in both engineering and architectural principles can offer substantial reductions in cooling energy demand under current and future climatic conditions. A typical detached villa was simulated using IES-VE to test a range of passive measures, including optimized window-to-wall ratios, enhanced glazing configurations, varied envelope constructions, solar shading devices, and wind-tower-based natural ventilation. Parametric simulations were conducted under current climate data and extended to future weather scenarios. Unlike many prior studies, this work integrates these strategies holistically and evaluates their combined impact, rather than in isolation while assessing the impact of future weather in the region. The findings revealed that individual measures such as insulated ceilings and reduced window-to-wall ratios significantly lowered cooling loads. When applied in combination, these strategies achieved a 68% reduction in cooling energy use compared to the base-case villa. While full passive performance year-round remains unfeasible in such extreme conditions, the study demonstrates a clear pathway toward energy-efficient housing in the Gulf region. Full article

This research explores the underappreciated traditional cold-water baths of Western Anatolia, once integral to the region’s agrarian culture. Due to waves of change, which had markedly begun by the pandemic in 2019 and the aftermath of the 2020 Samos earthquake, there has been a growing interest in living in peri-urban areas, resulting in the invasion of agricultural grounds by new construction, mainly including detached houses with gardens. Such a harsh growth not only threatens the fertile lands, but also the irreplaceable cultural heritage they embrace. In this regional frame, this study focuses on three surviving baths within the Karaburun Peninsula, casting light on their current precarious state as relics of a diminishing rural way of life and local heritage. The traditional cold-water baths, constructed amidst agricultural fields for seasonal use in select villages throughout İzmir, stand as unique exemplars of rural architecture. Characterised by their singular domed chambers and their reliance on water from adjacent wells, these structures today face abandonment and disrepair. Through a multi-disciplinary lens blending ethnography, oral history, and spatial analysis, this paper portrays these unassuming yet culturally impactful baths, elucidating their intrinsic value within the heritage domain. The inquiry contributes significantly to the heritage conservation discussion, highlighting the broad spectrum of values beyond mere historical interest. By articulating the symbiotic relationship between heritage and its community, this research underscores the pressing need to weave these baths into the fabric of current social structures, safeguarding their place within the collective memory. Full article

Artificial retinal devices require a high-density electrode array and mechanical flexibility to effectively stimulate retinal cells. However, designing such devices presents significant challenges, including the need to conform to the curvature of the eyeball and cover a large area using a single platform. To address these issues, we developed a parylene-based multi-module retinal device (MMRD) integrating a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) system. The proposed device is designed for suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation, with each module comprising a parylene-C thin-film substrate, a CMOS chip, and a ceramic substrate housing seven platinum electrodes. The smart CMOS system significantly reduces wiring complexity, enhancing the device’s practicality. To improve fabrication reliability, we optimized the encapsulation process, introduced multiple silane coupling modifications, and utilized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for easier detachment in flip-chip bonding. This study demonstrates the fabrication and evaluation of the MMRD through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The device successfully generated the expected current stimulation waveforms in both settings, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for future artificial vision applications. Full article

This study proposes a non-contact method for assessing building inclination and damage by integrating 3D point cloud data with image recognition techniques. Conventional approaches, such as plumb bobs, require physical contact, posing safety risks and practical challenges, especially in densely built urban areas. The proposed method utilizes a 3D scanner to capture point cloud data and images, which are processed to extract building surfaces, detect inclination, and assess secondary structural components such as window frames. Experiments were conducted on prefabricated structures, detached houses, and dense residential areas to validate the method’s accuracy. Results show that the proposed approach achieved measurement accuracy comparable to or better than traditional methods, with an error reduction of approximately 19% in prefabricated structures and 21.72% in detached houses. Additionally, the method successfully identified window frame deformations, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of structural integrity. By applying gradient-based color mapping, damage severity was visualized intuitively. The findings demonstrate that this system can replace conventional measurement techniques, enabling safe, efficient, and large-scale post-disaster assessments. Future work will focus on enhancing point cloud interpolation and refining machine learning-based damage classification for broader applicability. Full article

The heat transfer coefficient, or the HTC, is an industry-standard indicator of building energy performance. It is predicated on an assumption that it is of a constant value, and several different methods have been developed to measure and calculate the HTC as a constant. Whilst there are limited variations in the results obtained from these different methods, none of these methods consider a possibility that the HTC could be dynamically variable. Our experimental work shows that the HTC is not a constant. The experimental evidence based on our environmental chambers, which contain detached houses and in which the ambient air temperature can be controlled between −24 °C and +51 °C, with additional relative humidity control and with weather rigs that can introduce solar radiation, rain, and snow, shows that the HTC is dynamically variable. The analysis of data from the fully instrumented and monitored houses in combination with calibrated simulation models and data processing scripts based on genetic algorithm optimization provide experimental evidence of the dynamic variability of the HTC. This research increases the understanding of buildings physics properties and has the potential to change the way the heat transfer coefficient is used in building performance analysis. Full article

Heat recovery systems are increasingly recognized as key energy conservation measures in residential buildings. But their effectiveness is highly sensitive to operational conditions. This study used a calibrated OpenStudio simulation, which is validated against monthly utility data, to investigate the feasibility of implementing a heat recovery ventilator in an existing single-detached house in Vancouver under two scenarios: existing passive ventilation without a heat recovery ventilator versus the proposed balanced mechanical ventilation with a heat recovery ventilator. The findings indicate that employing an HRV in an existing house lacking balanced ventilation would lead to higher annual space heating energy consumption (75.49 GJ electricity and 56.70 GJ natural gas with HRV compared to 73.64 GJ and 52.70 GJ, respectively, without an HRV). Therefore, for existing houses without balanced ventilation, improving the existing building envelope’s airtightness through retrofits should always be carried out before installing a heat recovery ventilator. Additionally, the heat recovery ventilator should be appropriately sized to compensate for any shortfall in natural infiltration to ensure the sufficient indoor air quality while minimizing the outdoor air-induced space heating energy usage. Furthermore, the recommended break-even point of the infiltration rate for the house studied in this work to avoid increased space heating energy use due to the retrofit with a heat recovery ventilator is 0.281 air change per hour. Full article

Rockfall is considered the main geohazard in mountainous areas with steep morphology. The main objective of this study is to assess the rockfall hazard in the cultural heritage site of the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi, Monodendri, in northern Greece, where a recent rockfall event occurred, destroying a small house and the protective fence constructed to protect the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi. To evaluate the rockfall potential, engineering geological-oriented activities were carried out, such as geostructurally oriented field measurements, aiming to simulate the rockfall path and to compute the kinetic energy and the runout distance. In addition, using remote sensing tools such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), we were able to inspect the entire slope face and detect the locations of detached blocks by measuring their volume. As a result, it was concluded that the average volume of the expected detached blocks is around 1.2 m³, while the maximum kinetic energy along a rockfall trajectory ranges from 1850 to 2830 kJ, depending on the starting point (source). Furthermore, we discussed the level of similarity between the outcomes arising from the data obtained by the traditional field survey and the UAV campaigns regarding the structural analysis of discontinuity sets. Full article

Decarbonising heat is critical for achieving net zero goals. This study investigates the deployment of heat pumps for decarbonising domestic heating in the United Kingdom (UK), focusing on a local analysis in the West Midlands and North West regions. Through detailed data modelling, including weather patterns, housing characteristics, and carbon intensity data, the study quantifies the potential carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reductions associated with air source heat pump adoption compared to conventional gas boilers. In this study, hourly temperature data for 2022 were examined for six local authorities: Birmingham, Warwick, Shropshire, Manchester, Oldham, and West Lancashire. Additionally, half-hourly carbon intensity data for 2022 were used for the two wider regions, the West Midlands and the North West of England. Results demonstrated that the North West region stands out with the highest percentage CO₂ reductions due to the relatively low carbon intensity associated with the electricity grid, reaching up to 33% for an uptake of 40% of air source heat pumps. Moreover, regions with a high prevalence of detached housing, such as Shropshire and West Lancashire, show promise for emissions reductions and require continued monitoring and support for heat pump adoption. Despite limitations in modelling techniques and data sources, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers and strategic planners, guiding efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability in the UK. Full article

This study tracks changes in commercial buildings in Yeonnam-dong that have undergone commercial transformation, examining these shifts within the context of urban organization and their relationships with economic and socio-cultural flows. It also analyzes the architectural elements that reflect the placeness characteristics of an area. On-site surveys were conducted to assess the continuity and discontinuity in the characteristics of 62 renovated and 40 newly constructed buildings. Additionally, shifts in social perceptions regarding physical changes were explored through an analysis of commercial districts and interviews with visitors, store owners, and architects. Yeonnam-dong has a distinct physical environment, as well as economic, social, and cultural characteristics that distinguish it from mainstream areas, such as large apartment complexes and typical commercial zones. The area, with its winding alleyways from the pre-modern period and low-rise housing—marginalized from large-scale development—evoked nostalgia and created a distinctive sense of authenticity or placeness, which was further enhanced by the presence of exotic restaurants, cafés, ateliers, and creative activities of early gentrifiers. However, rapid commercialization has led to the displacement of these early gentrifiers, an influx of new investments and construction, and shifts in commercial flows. Consequently, the area’s authenticity has become diluted, and visitors’ perceptions of it have changed. Despite this, architectural elements observed in renovated buildings are preserved and incorporated into newly constructed ones. Features such as semi-basements, exterior straight stairs, and brick façades continue to reflect the locality. Detached and multi-household homes from the 1960s to the 1990s have evolved into a new hybrid commercial–residential form designed for commercial purposes. This is a response to small plot sizes in Korean residential areas and reflects the current economic and cultural demands of commercial gentrification. The urban and architectural characteristics of this area are not only a unique physical environment but also hold socio-cultural significance as ordinary heritage. Therefore, this study proposes institutional measures to preserve urban and architectural continuity while controlling the ongoing commercialization. Full article

Rooftop photovoltaic (RTPV) systems have the potential to significantly boost residential electricity self-sufficiency in urban areas. However, estimating the self-sufficiency potential of each city is challenging due to the trade-off between target accuracy and data availability, which limits the scalability of existing methods. This study aims to evaluate the potential of RTPV systems to enhance residential electricity self-sufficiency in major Japanese cities. The self-sufficiency analysis employs a balanced approach using statistical data to estimate RTPV and battery storage capacity in detached houses and hourly simulations to capture supply–demand variations. To project the penetration rate, a logistic curve is utilized to estimate the timeline for achieving a 100% installation rate in detached houses. The analysis reveals that RTPV systems could supply approximately 40% of the residential electricity demand in major cities, with some achieving self-sufficiency rates exceeding 65%. Densely populated cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kawasaki may only meet a quarter of their demand due to higher energy requirements. Including older detached houses in RTPV deployment boosted self-sufficiency by an average of 11.77%, with cities like Nagoya, Kyoto, and Kitakyushu achieving increases of 15–20%. Battery storage plays a critical role in enhancing self-sufficiency and reducing energy curtailment. Logistic curve projections suggest that most cities are unlikely to reach 100% RTPV penetration before 2050, though leading cities could achieve 75% penetration by then due to favorable growth rates. These findings reveal that while RTPV has substantial potential to improve residential electricity self-sufficiency, additional efforts are necessary to accelerate adoption. Further research is needed to refine capacity estimates, explore the socioeconomic and political context of the cities, and examine alternative pathways for cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kawasaki. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of building orientation, typology, and envelope characteristics on energy efficiency and CO₂ emissions in urban dwellings in subtropical climate, with a focus on Cartagena, Colombia. North-facing dwellings consistently demonstrate superior energy performance, achieving an average efficiency increase of 4.27 ± 1.77% compared to south-facing counterparts. This trend is less pronounced near the equator due to the sun’s high zenith angle. Semi-detached homes exhibit 23.17 ± 9.83% greater energy efficiency than corner houses, attributed to reduced exterior wall exposure, which lowers energy demand and CO₂ emissions by 2.16 ± 0.74 kg CO₂/m² annually. Significant disparities in emissions are observed across socioeconomic strata; homes in strata 3 and 4 show the lowest emissions (6.69 ± 1.42 kg CO₂/m² per year), while strata 5 and 6 have the highest (10.48 ± 1.42 kg CO₂/m² per year), due to differences in construction quality and glazing ratios. Roofing materials also play a key role, with thermoacoustic (TAC) roofs reducing emissions by up to 5.80% in lower strata compared to asbestos–cement roofs. Furthermore, sandwich panels demonstrate substantial potential, achieving CO₂ emissions reductions of up to 51.6% in strata 1 and 2 south-facing median homes and a minimum saving of 9.4% in strata 5 and 6. These findings underscore the importance of integrating energy performance criteria into public housing policies, promoting construction practices that enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving occupant comfort and property value. Full article

As part of its plan to transition to an energy secure and environmentally sustainable future, Canada has had a national carbon pricing system since 2019. When first introduced, the $20 (‘$’ refer to Canadian dollars (CAD) in this paper) per tonne price was widely accepted by most Canadians and seen as a way of helping Canada meet its emissions reduction pledges made at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris. The Canadian system is novel in that it both charges consumers for their emissions and reimburses them for their expected emissions; this is intended to raise awareness of their emissions and encourage those who can afford to opt for lower-emissions energy services to do so. By 2023, the combination of the carbon price reaching $65 per tonne and the post-pandemic economic slowdown was seized on by numerous politicians as a way of pushing back against the carbon pricing system, with most demanding the entire system be scrapped. The debate intensified in late 2023 and into 2024, when the federal government removed the carbon tax on home heating oil because the reimbursement was insufficient to cover the cost of the tax. In this paper, we consider the recent actions of two Canadian provinces, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, embroiled in the federal carbon pricing system debate due to the removal of the carbon tax on fuel oil for space heating. The objective of this paper is to identify how some of the reasons, including global post-pandemic inflation and other challenges facing Canadians, such as those cited in third-party polls, have contributed to a rise in the system’s unpopularity. Our method estimates and compares the impacts of the carbon tax on the household energy services for space and water heating, lighting and appliances, and private (i.e., household) transportation for different types of housing (apartment, single-attached, and single-detached) and number of occupants (two, three, and four) in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. The results of this work show that while Saskatchewan households have higher energy intensities than those in Nova Scotia, the impact of the carbon tax on Nova Scotians using fuel oil for heating was greater than in Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, natural gas and electricity, respectively, are used for heating. This paper concludes with a summary of our findings and potential options for improving perceptions of the system. Full article