Defence of dissertation in the field of energy technology, Nusrat Jung, M.Sc.

How to set design criteria for high performance buildings?

The public examination of the doctoral dissertation of Nusrat Jung, M.Sc., will be held on 10th August 2018 at 12.00 at the Aalto University School of Engineering. The title of the dissertation is Advancing design criteria for energy and environmental performance of buildings. Field of the dissertation is energy technology.

Designing energy and environmentally conscious buildings requires setting design criterion that fulfils the need of the end user and at the same time has a reduced impact on our environment. The prospect of evaluating multiple building performance criteria necessitates integrated design and planning tools, such as the use of Building Information Models, Building Performance Simulations, and methodologies for comparing and optimising alternative design options.

This dissertation describes: (1.) current knowledge and future research needs for integrated building assessment criteria in the architecture engineering and construction industry (AEC); (2.) Investigates the design process from the perspective of reducing embodied greenhouse gas emissions during the design stages and the influence of decision-making during the process from conception to completion; (3.) a full-scale dynamic simulation model of an office building towards fulfilling system-level requirements of a nearly zero energy building; and (4.) the social acceptance of renewable energy technologies for buildings in Finland.

The results indicate that we can yield the maximum benefit through the design process if we consciously consider and include both energy and environmental performance of buildings during the design phases. New research needs and knowledge gaps are identified to advance the integration of multiple criteria assessment during the design process. A novel framework is provided to account for embodied carbon that can be adopted by the AEC industry as a gradual approach. 

Energy performance analysis of new buildings is essential and should be carried out in full-scale simulation models to mimic the consumption patterns of buildings for informed decision-making at the building system level. The public perceptions of Helsinki residents on the application of renewable energy technology are very promising, suggesting strong willingness to invest in multiple renewable technologies for buildings.  

Opponents: Professor Kalle Kähkönen, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland

Supervisor: Professor Risto Lahdelma, Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Electronic dissertation: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/49

Contact information: Nusrat Jung, nusrat.jung@aalto.fi

Venue: Lecture Hall E, Otakaari 1, Espoo.