Interaction effect of courtyard building form and orientation on energy performance of hospitals in warm humid climate

TL;DR

This study examines how the shape and orientation of hospital buildings affect energy use in warm, humid climates like India's coastal regions.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach to sustainable hospital design by analyzing the interaction between building form and orientation in warm humid climates.

Findings

Building form has a dominant effect on energy performance index (EPI) compared to orientation.

There is a significant interaction between building form and orientation affecting energy efficiency.

The model explains 98.6% of EPI variation, emphasizing the need for optimized design in warm humid climates.

Abstract

The built environment plays a crucial role in optimizing energy consumption within hospital buildings. Enhancing its efficiency is vital for sustainable development. The form, shape and orientation of hospital buildings significantly impact their energy performance, leading to energy savings, improved indoor air quality, and enhanced thermal comfort. This research focuses on assessing the interactive effect of courtyard building forms and orientation on energy performance in hospital buildings in warm humid climatic zone of Indian coastal region. The findings suggest that building form consistently plays a dominant role in determining the energy performance Index (EPI), while orientation exerts a more nuanced and season-dependent influence. The study reveals a significant interaction between forms and orientation, indicating an interdependent effect on energy-efficient building design. The model explains 98.6% of variation in EPI, with an excellent fit and low standard error, highlighting the importance of optimizing both forms and orientations for energy-efficient building designs. This study presents a novel perspective on performance-driven sustainable hospital design, tailored to the unique climatic demands of India’s coastal, warm-humid regions. In the context of climate change, the study emphasizes the need for passive design measures, adaptive architectural solutions, and performance-based modelling to lower operational energy demand and enhance resilience to climatic shifts.

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