Integrating solar-related passive strategies in the initial design process: A cumulative workflow proposal

In contemporary times, the effects of the global energy and climate crisis have increasingly underscored the importance of energy efficiency in architectural practices. Achieving energy efficiency in existing structures presents significant challenges, as the interventions that can be made are limited due to the building's pre-existing state. Consequently, making decisions regarding energy efficiency during the early design stages is more advantageous. However, this early design phase is inherently complex due to the abundance of alternatives, the variety of potential scenarios, and the limited data available. At this stage, increasing the climatic data available to architects contributes to the development of design proposals that align with these parameters, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the design process. This thesis, therefore, aims to integrate climatic data into the early design process. Solar-related energy-efficient design emerges as a significant consideration within the context of energy efficiency. Understanding the effects of the sun during the early stages of design greatly influences various design decisions, such as massing, plan layout, building envelope, and material selection. However, the implementation of these energy-efficient design methods also brings certain challenges. Therefore, it is vi crucial to establish a specific sequence and classification to use analysis methods and design strategies in energy-efficient design. This study seeks to integrate energy-efficient strategies into the early design process in a consistent order that does not negatively affect the effectiveness of previous strategies. In this context, a cumulative process plan and workflow are proposed, beginning with massing studies and progressing towards more detailed design decisions. This workflow functions as a warning-suggestion algorithm, which divides the architectural design process into stages and aims to contribute to the design through strategy suggestions presented at the beginning of each stage. To observe the integration and advantages of this workflow, a case study was conducted in the city of İzmir, which poses challenging conditions in terms of solar exposure. The results of the case study indicate that this workflow has the potential to provide recommendations without slowing down the architectural project processes. The workflow evaluated the integration of 17 different strategies into the design, revealing that some strategies are compatible with each other, while others serve as alternatives. Applicability to projects at different stages is demonstrated by the fact that the workflow can continue even if certain recommendations are not used. In energy-efficient design, a cumulative approach made possible through a consistent sequence and elimination method is achievable with the workflow proposed in this study.