A study on energy efficient building design approaches: The example of diyarbakir dedaş headquarters

This thesis examines the effects of building design on operational performance in the context of sustainability and energy efficiency. The DEDAŞ Headquarters Building, located in the Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır and opened for use in 2021, is considered as a case study specific to hot-dry climate conditions. With a closed area of approximately 9,821 m², the building exhibits a vulnerability to climatic influences with its transparent roof, 20% of which is covered with glass, and a 300 m² atrium at its center. The interior temperature is maintained at approximately 22 °C throughout the year via a VRF-based central system, which stands out as a factor increasing the building's energy requirements. In the study, eight different scenarios were developed based on design parameters such as the building envelope, façade openings, glazing type, atrium layout, and roof material, and thermal performance analyses were conducted using ANSYS 25 software. The results revealed that material changes, particularly in the glazing and roof components, significantly affect interior temperature distributions. It was observed that interior temperatures rose between 44.18 and 56.7°C in summer and dropped to -25.07°C in winter. While changes in glazing type provided some improvement by limiting heat gain and loss, they were not sufficient to meet comfort requirements on their own. Atrium and transparent roof applications, however, were found to increase energy consumption when not supported by passive air conditioning strategies. Consequently, a holistic approach to sustainable design requires a holistic approach to the building envelope, façade proportions, glazing selection, shading solutions, and passive air conditioning methods. The study offers applicable strategies for energy efficiency in office buildings in hot and dry climate zones.