Development of a sustainable building design model with integration of sustainable building indicators, vernacular principles, and BEM facilities: A case study from Kabul city, Afghanistan

This study investigates the potential integration of vernacular principles and Building Energy Modeling (BEM) into contemporary sustainable design approaches. It aims to characterize common and applicable sustainable design indicators, explore the sustainability of vernacular principles, and identify practical strategies for achieving sustainable indicators. Moreover, it aims to develop a holistic sustainable design model that can be adapted for desired locations with minor adjustments using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) analysis and BEM. To achieve these objectives, the study utilized a combination of significant research methods, such as desk-based research using textual resources, analytical methods involving MCDM, traditional research methods such as surveys and questionnaires, and BEM with a genetic algorithm for the evaluation and optimization of sustainable strategies. The study reveals that out of 24 sustainability indicators, 23 are common to both sustainable and vernacular building design approaches. The integration of vernacular principles with the most common sustainable indicators enhances all sustainable design indicators. Therefore, the model encompasses seven indicators: Sites & Ecology; Energy; Materials & Resources; Water; Indoor Environmental Quality; Vernacular principles; and Socio-Cultural, forming a holistic and comprehensive design framework that effectively addresses all dimensions of sustainability. Moreover, BEM tools, particularly DesignBuilder, have been identified as suitable for adapting and optimizing the proposed strategies in desired locations. This study serves as a valuable resource for institutions and organizations seeking to integrate sustainability into their projects. By adhering to the research framework, this model significantly contributes to the development of a comprehensive and universally applicable design model and assessment approach.