Energy-Efficient Commercial Complex in Kathmandu, Nepal: Integrating Energy Simulations into the Design Process
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 2
Abstract
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, endures up to 14 h of load shedding per day. In response to this daily challenge, the objective of this research was to design an energy-efficient commercial complex, a combination of a mall and an office complex, in Kathmandu that can function on minimal external energy resources. The research focused on careful analysis of the monthly climatic data, passive design strategies, and site elements to suggest passive solar techniques to reduce the amount of energy the complex would require and to select the best design approach for use of renewable energy sources. Because design decisions made in the very early stages have a significant impact on the overall energy consumption and the internal environment of the building, simulation models were tested and compared at the early massing design stages to make appropriate decisions toward this goal, seeking the best solution for an energy-efficient building design in terms of building massing, orientation, solar thermal heating, and cooling.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 2 • June 2017
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 10, 2015
Accepted: Oct 20, 2016
Published online: Jan 16, 2017
Published in print: Jun 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Jun 16, 2017
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