This research seeks to find a design solution for reducing the energy usage in high-rise office buildings in Singapore. There are numerous methods and techniques that could be employed to achieve the purpose of designing energy efficient buildings. The Thesis explores the viability of double-skin fa??ades (DSF) to provide natural ventilation as an energy efficient solution for office buildings in hot and humid environment by using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and case study methodologies. CFD simulations were used to examine various types of DSF used in office buildings and the behaviour of airflow and thermal transfer through the DSF; the internal thermal comfort levels of each office spaces were analyzed and compared; and an optimization methodology was developed to explore the best DSF configuration to be used in high-rise office buildings in the tropics. The correlation between the fa??ade configurations, the thermal comfort parameters, and the internal office space energy consumption through the DSF is studied and presented. The research outcome of the Thesis has found that significant energy saving is possible if natural ventilation strategies could be exploited with the use of DSF. A prototype DSF configuration which will be best suited for the tropical environment in terms of its energy efficiency through cross ventilation strategy is proposed in this Thesis. A series of comprehensive and user-friendly nomograms for design optimization in selecting the most appropriate double-skin fa??ade configurations with considerations of various orientations for the use in high-rise office buildings in the tropics were also presented.

abstract: With the increasing interest in energy efficient building design, whole building energy simulation programs are increasingly employed in the design process to help architects and engineers determine which design alternatives save energy and are cost effective. DOE-2 is one of the most popular programs used by the building energy simulation community. eQUEST is a powerful graphic user interface for the DOE-2 engine. EnergyPlus is the newest generation simulation program under development by the U.S. Department of Energy which adds new modeling features beyond the DOE-2's capability. The new modeling capabilities of EnergyPlus make it possible to model new and complex building technologies which cannot be modeled by other whole building energy simulation programs. On the other hand, EnergyPlus models, especially with a large number of zones, run much slower than those of eQUEST. Both eQUEST and EnergyPlus offer their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The choice of which building simulation program should be used might vary in each case. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the potential of both the programs to do the whole building energy analysis and compare the results with the actual building energy performance. For this purpose the energy simulation of a fully functional building is done in eQUEST and EnergyPlus and the results were compared with utility data of the building to identify the degree of closeness with which simulation results match with the actual heat and energy flows in building. It was observed in this study that eQUEST is easy to use and quick in producing results that would especially help in the taking critical decisions during the design phase. On the other hand EnergyPlus aids in modeling complex systems, producing more accurate results, but consumes more time. The choice of simulation program might change depending on the usability and applicability of the program to our need in different phases of a building's lifecycle. Therefore, it makes sense if a common front end is designed for both these simulation programs thereby allowing the user to select either the DOE-2.2 engine or the EnergyPlus engine based upon the need in each particular case. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Architecture 2010

abstract: Building Envelope includes walls, roofs and openings, which react to the outdoor environmental condition. Today, with the increasing use of glass in building envelope, the energy usage of the buildings is increasing, especially in the offices and commercial buildings. Use of right glass type and control triggers helps to optimize the energy use, by tradeoff between optical and thermal properties. The part of the research looks at the different control triggers and its range that governs the use of electrochromic glass to regulate the energy usage in building. All different control trigger that can be possibly used for regulating the clear and tint state of glass were analyzed with most appropriate range. Its range was triggered such that 80% time of the glass is trigger between the ranges. The other building parameters like window wall ratio and orientations were also investigated. The other half of the research study looks into the feasibility of using the Electrochromic windows, as it is ought to be the main factor governing the market usage of Electrochromic windows and to investigate the possible ways to make it feasible. Different LCC parameters were studied to make it market feasible product. This study shows that installing this technology with most appropriate trigger range can reduce annual building energy consumption from 6-8% but still cost of the technology is 3 times the ASHRAE glass, which results in 70-90 years of payback. This study concludes that south orientation saves up to 3-5% of energy and 4-6% of cooling tons while north orientation gives negligible saving using EC glass. LCC parameters show that there is relative change in increasing the net saving for different parameters but none except 50% of the present glass cost is the possible option where significant change is observed. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.D. Architecture 2012

O contínuo crescimento em altura e a mudança de endereço dos arranha-céus contemporâneos foram os fatores que induziram o estudo realizado no presente trabalho. O objeto – o arranha-céu de escritórios – é investigado nas diversas perspectivas que determinaram sua execução. Os projetos dos grandes arranhacéus foram definidos por atributos relacionados aos componentes da Tríade Vitruviana, acrescidos do componente Lugar, do Quaterno Contemporâneo. O trabalho contempla o estudo dos atributos de utilitas. firmitas e venustas, naquilo que tem relação com o lugar e contexto, como razões objetivas da existência e perpetuação do arranha-céu. Aponta, posteriormente, para a existência de outros atributos, que justificam a execução do arranha-céu, ainda que os anteriores tenham sido negados. São as razões subjetivas da existência do arranha-céu, que permitem aproximá-los das propostas utópicas, pois prescindem de responder às reais funções do objeto. Estudos de caso foram analisados, revelando a transformação do arranha-céu e sua ressignificação. A produção e análise do material pesquisado contribuem para avaliar a perpetuação do arranha-céu na cidade contemporânea. / The continuous growth in height and the change of location of the contemporary skyscrapers were the factors that driven the study developed in the present work. The object – the office skyscraper – is investigated trough the diverse perspectives that determined its construction. The designs of the great skyscrapers were defined by attributes related to the components of the Vitruvian Triad, plus the Site component from the “Contemporary Quaternary.” The work includes the study of the attributes of utilitas, firmitas and venustas in what is related to the site and context as objective reasons for the existence and perpetuation of the skyscraper. It later points to the existence of other attributes which justify the construction of the skyscraper, even when the previous ones have been denied. The subjective reasons for the existence of skyscrapers are the ones that allow us to put them closer to utopian proposals, since they do not need to respond to the real functions of the object. Case studies were analyzed, revealing the transformation of the skyscraper and its re-signification. The production and analysis of the investigated material contribute with the evaluation of the perpetuation of the skyscraper in the contemporary city. / El continuo crecimiento en altura y la mudanza de dirección de los rascacielos contemporáneos fueron los factores que encauzaron el estudio realizado en el presente trabajo. El objeto – el rascacielos de oficinas – es investigado desde las diversas perspectivas que determinaron su ejecución. Los proyectos de los grandes rascacielos fueron definidos por atributos relacionados a los componentes de la Tríada vitruviana, más el componente Lugar, del “Cuaterno contemporáneo.” El trabajo contempla el estudio de los atributos de utilitas, firmitas y venustas en aquello que tiene relación con el lugar y contexto como razones objetivas de la existencia y perpetuación del rascacielos. Apunta, posteriormente, a la existencia de otros atributos que justifican la ejecución del rascacielos, aún cuando los anteriores hayan sido negados. Son las razones subjetivas de la existencia de los rascacielos, las que permiten acercarlos a las propuestas utópicas, pues prescinden de responder a las reales funciones del objeto. Los estudios de caso se analizaron, revelando la transformación del rascacielos y su resignificación. La producción y análisis del material investigado contribuyen con la evaluación de la perpetuación del rascacielos en la ciudad contemporánea.

O contínuo crescimento em altura e a mudança de endereço dos arranha-céus contemporâneos foram os fatores que induziram o estudo realizado no presente trabalho. O objeto – o arranha-céu de escritórios – é investigado nas diversas perspectivas que determinaram sua execução. Os projetos dos grandes arranhacéus foram definidos por atributos relacionados aos componentes da Tríade Vitruviana, acrescidos do componente Lugar, do Quaterno Contemporâneo. O trabalho contempla o estudo dos atributos de utilitas. firmitas e venustas, naquilo que tem relação com o lugar e contexto, como razões objetivas da existência e perpetuação do arranha-céu. Aponta, posteriormente, para a existência de outros atributos, que justificam a execução do arranha-céu, ainda que os anteriores tenham sido negados. São as razões subjetivas da existência do arranha-céu, que permitem aproximá-los das propostas utópicas, pois prescindem de responder às reais funções do objeto. Estudos de caso foram analisados, revelando a transformação do arranha-céu e sua ressignificação. A produção e análise do material pesquisado contribuem para avaliar a perpetuação do arranha-céu na cidade contemporânea. / The continuous growth in height and the change of location of the contemporary skyscrapers were the factors that driven the study developed in the present work. The object – the office skyscraper – is investigated trough the diverse perspectives that determined its construction. The designs of the great skyscrapers were defined by attributes related to the components of the Vitruvian Triad, plus the Site component from the “Contemporary Quaternary.” The work includes the study of the attributes of utilitas, firmitas and venustas in what is related to the site and context as objective reasons for the existence and perpetuation of the skyscraper. It later points to the existence of other attributes which justify the construction of the skyscraper, even when the previous ones have been denied. The subjective reasons for the existence of skyscrapers are the ones that allow us to put them closer to utopian proposals, since they do not need to respond to the real functions of the object. Case studies were analyzed, revealing the transformation of the skyscraper and its re-signification. The production and analysis of the investigated material contribute with the evaluation of the perpetuation of the skyscraper in the contemporary city. / El continuo crecimiento en altura y la mudanza de dirección de los rascacielos contemporáneos fueron los factores que encauzaron el estudio realizado en el presente trabajo. El objeto – el rascacielos de oficinas – es investigado desde las diversas perspectivas que determinaron su ejecución. Los proyectos de los grandes rascacielos fueron definidos por atributos relacionados a los componentes de la Tríada vitruviana, más el componente Lugar, del “Cuaterno contemporáneo.” El trabajo contempla el estudio de los atributos de utilitas, firmitas y venustas en aquello que tiene relación con el lugar y contexto como razones objetivas de la existencia y perpetuación del rascacielos. Apunta, posteriormente, a la existencia de otros atributos que justifican la ejecución del rascacielos, aún cuando los anteriores hayan sido negados. Son las razones subjetivas de la existencia de los rascacielos, las que permiten acercarlos a las propuestas utópicas, pues prescinden de responder a las reales funciones del objeto. Los estudios de caso se analizaron, revelando la transformación del rascacielos y su resignificación. La producción y análisis del material investigado contribuyen con la evaluación de la perpetuación del rascacielos en la ciudad contemporánea.

O crescimento industrial, comercial e de serviços traz para as sociedades mais evoluídas uma série de benefícios, como o desenvolvimento econômico e o crescimento populacional, aliados a maiores oportunidades de emprego e renda. Entretanto, pela falta de uma consciência mais apurada sobre os possíveis impactos negativos de ritmo acelerado de crescimento, acaba-se verificando uma série de problemas sociais e, sobretudo, ambientais. Em razão disso, nos últimos anos, constata-se a preocupação de alguns setores da sociedade na busca do desenvolvimento fundamentado em práticas mais sustentáveis. Isso não tem sido diferente no setor da construção civil. A preocupação com a sustentabilidade nos empreendimentos é tema e foco de diversos eventos, tanto no meio acadêmico, como no profissional e governamental. Particularmente, o segmento de mercado de EDIFÍCIOS DE ESCRITÓRIOS CORPORATIVOS tem sido alvo de pressão para o uso de práticas mais sustentáveis em todo o seu ciclo de vida, desde sua concepção, projeto, implantação e operação até a sua revitalização. Para aferir a sustentabilidade dos EDIFÍCIOS DE ESCRITÓRIOS CORPORATIVOS, muitas empresas do setor buscam certificações de origem estrangeira, que possuem certas limitações em sua aplicabilidade no Brasil, as quais são discutidas neste trabalho. Neste contexto, esta tese visa à construção da CERTIFICAÇÃO DA SUSTENTABILIDADE DE EDIFÍCIOS DE ESCRITÓRIOS CORPORATIVOS no Brasil, que é oportuna e necessária para tratar das condições de contorno e de realidade nacional. Para isso, foram realizados: [i] levantamento do estado da arte deste tema; [ii] construção da MATRIZ DE ATRIBUTOS para a avaliação da sustentabilidade dos EDIFÍCIOS DE ESCRITÓRIOS CORPORATIVOS; [iii] entrevistas com formadores de opinião deste segmento do mercado imobiliário; [iv] visitas em EDIFÍCIOS DE ESCRITÓRIOS CORPORATIVOS relevantes para as arbitragens iniciais; [v] a construção dos procedimentos, regras e rotina, com testes de validação e calibragem do SISTEMA PARA CLASSIFICAÇÃO. / The industrial, commercial and service growth provided the developed societies with many benefits, such as the economic development and the population increase, along with greater work and income opportunities. However, due to the lack of a better understanding about any possible negative impacts the fast growth pace created many social and environmental issues. Because of that, in the last years, there has been a greater concern of a few society groups aiming at using more sustainable practices. The civil construction segment has been no different. The concern with sustainability is a primary topic of several corporate events, either academically, professionally and governmentally. Especially the Office Buildings market has been a target for the use of more sustainable practices, both in its design, project, implementation, operation and revitalization. In order to measure the sustainability of Office Buildings, many companies seek for foreign certificates, with specific limitations as for their use in Brazil, which will be detailed in this paper. In this context, this Thesis aims at designing a system for the SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATE OF OFFICES BUILDINGS in Brazil, convenient and needed to treat the national conditions. That required: [i] a bibliographical research on the topic; [ii] building the ATTRIBUTE MATRIX to evaluate the sustainability of OFFICES BUILDINGS; [iii] interviews with influent people in the real estate segment; [iv] visits to relevant OFFICES BUILDINGS for the initial arbitrations; [v] setting the procedures, rules and routine, with validation tests.

The master thesis focuses on investments in office buildings. The aim of the thesis is to make an evaluation analysis of investment decision with focus on its informational support and criteria applied in making investment decisions on office buildings market. The thesis is divided into four parts. The first part discusses current development on the commercial property market in the Czech Republic and analyzes in detail the development of the Prague office buildings market. The second part is about main factors that affect value of these properties. The third part describes investors operating on the market and the last part analyzes the economic efficiency of two selected investments. This master thesis is a pilot project generalizing criteria that affect investing in office buildings, and which can be further expanded.

O contínuo crescimento em altura e a mudança de endereço dos arranha-céus contemporâneos foram os fatores que induziram o estudo realizado no presente trabalho. O objeto – o arranha-céu de escritórios – é investigado nas diversas perspectivas que determinaram sua execução. Os projetos dos grandes arranhacéus foram definidos por atributos relacionados aos componentes da Tríade Vitruviana, acrescidos do componente Lugar, do Quaterno Contemporâneo. O trabalho contempla o estudo dos atributos de utilitas. firmitas e venustas, naquilo que tem relação com o lugar e contexto, como razões objetivas da existência e perpetuação do arranha-céu. Aponta, posteriormente, para a existência de outros atributos, que justificam a execução do arranha-céu, ainda que os anteriores tenham sido negados. São as razões subjetivas da existência do arranha-céu, que permitem aproximá-los das propostas utópicas, pois prescindem de responder às reais funções do objeto. Estudos de caso foram analisados, revelando a transformação do arranha-céu e sua ressignificação. A produção e análise do material pesquisado contribuem para avaliar a perpetuação do arranha-céu na cidade contemporânea. / The continuous growth in height and the change of location of the contemporary skyscrapers were the factors that driven the study developed in the present work. The object – the office skyscraper – is investigated trough the diverse perspectives that determined its construction. The designs of the great skyscrapers were defined by attributes related to the components of the Vitruvian Triad, plus the Site component from the “Contemporary Quaternary.” The work includes the study of the attributes of utilitas, firmitas and venustas in what is related to the site and context as objective reasons for the existence and perpetuation of the skyscraper. It later points to the existence of other attributes which justify the construction of the skyscraper, even when the previous ones have been denied. The subjective reasons for the existence of skyscrapers are the ones that allow us to put them closer to utopian proposals, since they do not need to respond to the real functions of the object. Case studies were analyzed, revealing the transformation of the skyscraper and its re-signification. The production and analysis of the investigated material contribute with the evaluation of the perpetuation of the skyscraper in the contemporary city. / El continuo crecimiento en altura y la mudanza de dirección de los rascacielos contemporáneos fueron los factores que encauzaron el estudio realizado en el presente trabajo. El objeto – el rascacielos de oficinas – es investigado desde las diversas perspectivas que determinaron su ejecución. Los proyectos de los grandes rascacielos fueron definidos por atributos relacionados a los componentes de la Tríada vitruviana, más el componente Lugar, del “Cuaterno contemporáneo.” El trabajo contempla el estudio de los atributos de utilitas, firmitas y venustas en aquello que tiene relación con el lugar y contexto como razones objetivas de la existencia y perpetuación del rascacielos. Apunta, posteriormente, a la existencia de otros atributos que justifican la ejecución del rascacielos, aún cuando los anteriores hayan sido negados. Son las razones subjetivas de la existencia de los rascacielos, las que permiten acercarlos a las propuestas utópicas, pues prescinden de responder a las reales funciones del objeto. Los estudios de caso se analizaron, revelando la transformación del rascacielos y su resignificación. La producción y análisis del material investigado contribuyen con la evaluación de la perpetuación del rascacielos en la ciudad contemporánea.

The content of the diploma thesis is the elaboration of the project documentation for the construction of the administrative building. The building is designed in Prague Holešovice. The administrative building is part of the complexes of three administrative buildings with two common underground floors, which have technical premises and a parking space. On the above floors there are office and commercial premises. The construction system of the building is a reinforced concrete monolithic skeleton. As cladding was used glass facade. The roof of the building is flat.

This diploma thesis was prepared as a construction project documentation. The proposed building is an office building in Prague. The building has 4 above-ground floors and 1 underground floor. On the above-ground floors the office spaces are located, while the underground floor is designated as garages. Monolithic reinforced concrete skeleton with beams was chosen as the construction system.