The commercial buildings sector in the United States used 18 percent (17.93 Quads) of the U.S. primary energy in 2006. Office buildings are the largest single energy consumption category in the commercial buildings sector of the United States with annual energy consumption around 1.1 Quads. Traditional approaches used in commercial building designs are not adequate to save energy in both depth and scale. One of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption is to improve energy performance of HVAC systems. High-performance HVAC systems and components, as well as application of renewable energy sources, were surveyed for buildings in hot and humid climates. An analysis of performance and energy saving potential estimation for selected HVAC systems in hot and humid climates was developed based on energy consumption simulation models in DOE-2.1E. A calibrated energy consumption model of an existing office building located in the hot and humid climate conditions of Texas was developed. Based on this model, the energy saving potential of the building was estimated. In addition, energy consumption simulation models were developed for a new office building, including simulation of energy saving measures that could be achieved with further improvements of HVAC system above the energy conservation codes requirements. The theoretical minimum energy consumption level for the same office building was estimated for the purpose of evaluating the whole building energy efficiency level. The theoretical minimum energy consumption model of the office building was designed to provide the same level of comfort and services to the building occupants as provided in the actual building simulation model. Finally, the energy efficiency of the building that satisfies valid energy conservation codes and the building with an improved HVAC system was estimated based on theoretically minimum energy consumption level. The analysis provided herein can be used for new building practitioners and existing building owners to evaluate energy reduction potential and the performance of innovative technologies such as dedicated outdoor air system, displacement ventilation, improved cooling system efficiency, air source heat pumps and natural gas heat pumps.

This research explores the barriers and limitations of the interaction between building development processes in an attempt of an integrated decision support approach to improve building design for effective maintenance in the field of office building automation. Extensive coverage of literature and practice in office building industry over the last two decades indicates a wide diffusion and application of the information and communication technologies (ICT). While this has resulted in the adoption of advanced system integration in buildings, system redundancy and excessive expenditures are causing a major impact on the overall efficiency and has burdened building owners and occupiers with escalating maintenance costs. This phenomenon stimulates and warrants the re-examination of integrated building development, not just on system integration but also on the interdisciplinary development process integration particularly linking design and maintenance. Studies in this field revealed existing problems such as the inherent professional fragmentation, lack of historical information and service data, the first cost mentality of owners and developers, difficulties in forecasting future conditions and changes early in the design stage. With extensive use of qualitative information, this situation presents a great potential for the development of a decision support system exploring the communication and integration of design and maintenance phases, which has been one of the primary objectives of this research. In addition to literature studies, a questionnaire survey and a case study to identify industry concerns, feasible solutions, and practical procedure oriented approaches through knowledge extractions were carried out. A set of guidelines, a checklist for its implementation and prototype system for computerized decision support to design and maintenance of building automation systems were also produced. These strategic approaches to balance design and maintenance will help facilitate appropriate decision making in the early design stage for sustainable maintenance of buildings.

This study seeks to detect the thermal performance in Office buildings as they add to a significant quantity of energy consumption in this country. Researches have revealed that 40 % of the final electricity consumption in office buildings is linked to the climate conditioning systems. Within this context there is no existence of projecting rules which establish minimum standards of thermal-electric performance in comparison to regional climatic conditions, considering the thermal variation experienced throughout the year. Thus, the present study aims to diagnose and compare the current condition of thermal performance in different types of office buildings located in six towns belonging to the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, which are included in bioclimatic zone two of Brasil. For such analysis a list of existing office buildings with at least five floors was made, in the towns of Cruz Alta, Ijuí, Lajeado, Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Maria and Venâncio Aires. A sample of 36 buildings was selected. Following, the architecture designs and the construction information were analyzed, the buildings were sorted in five categories, according to criteria of floors number, width/depth relation of building and opaque/transparent closing area relation. For each category a representative building was selected, to which a better detail process of the construction system was made as well as internal and external temperature data for a period of thirteen days in summer and winter were recorded. The thermal performance of the buildings was assessed according to their capacity of absorption of the external thermal wave, related to its thermal inertia, opening areas and use standards of internal rooms. There was a great influence of solar radiation on the results, increased mainly by the influence on the thermal behavior of the orientation buildings of the monitored rooms, the opening area, the kind of glass and the color of opaque closings. It was noticed the necessity, for the climate of the studied region, of solar radiation control systems, so that the project decisions for the benefit of thermal conditions in summer do not cause loss in wintertime or vice-versa. / Este trabalho visa ao diagnóstico do desempenho térmico de edifícios de escritório, pois estes contribuem com uma parcela significativa do consumo de energia do país. Pesquisas revelam que 40 % do consumo final de energia elétrica em edifícios de escritórios estão ligados aos sistemas de condicionamento climático. Dentro deste contexto observa-se ainda a inexistência de diretrizes projetivas que estabeleçam padrões mínimos de desempenho termo-energéticas frente às condições climáticas regionais, sobretudo pela amplitude térmica verificada ao longo do ano. Assim, o presente trabalho objetiva diagnosticar e comparar a situação atual de desempenho térmico de diferentes tipologias de edifícios de escritório localizados em seis cidades pertencentes à região central do Rio Grande do Sul, estando às mesmas inseridas na zona bioclimática dois do Brasil. Para tal análise foi realizado um levantamento dos edifícios de escritório existentes, com no mínimo cinco pavimentos, nas cidades de Cruz Alta, Ijuí, Lajeado, Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Maria e Venâncio Aires. Foram selecionados uma amostra de 36 edifícios. Em seguida foram analisados os projetos arquitetônicos e os dados construtivos, sendo os prédios agrupados em cinco tipologias, de acordo com os critérios de número de pavimentos, relação largura/profundidade do prédio e relação área dos fechamentos transparentes/opacos. Para cada tipologia foi selecionado um prédio representativo, para o qual foi feito um maior detalhamento do sistema construtivo e registrados dados de temperatura interna e externa durante um período de treze dias no inverno e verão. Foi avaliado o desempenho térmico dos edifícios de acordo com a sua capacidade de amortecimento da onda térmica externa, associada à sua inércia térmica, área de aberturas e padrão de uso dos espaços internos. Observou-se a grande influência da radiação solar nos resultados obtidos, evidenciada principalmente pela influência no comportamento térmico dos edifícios da orientação das salas monitoradas, da área de aberturas, do tipo de vidro e da cor dos fechamentos opacos. Foi observada a necessidade, para o clima da região estudada, da existência de dispositivos de controle da radiação solar, para que decisões de projeto que beneficiem as condições térmicas no período de verão não resultem em prejuízo no período de inverno, ou vice-versa.

The current climate changes require a global response immediately. Every year the use of energy increases, which means that more and more greenhouse gases are released. Which in turn helps accelerate global warming. To reduce the energy use will not be an easy task for mankind. Household and service accounts for about 40% of Sweden’s energy use, and office buildings prove to be among the most energyintensive. Previous research shows that heat-, ventilation- and cooling systems along with lightning are the systems that provide the highest energy consumption and that there is also a great savings potential. In this study, the energy use of a property in a Swedish urban area has been investigated and how the energy is being used by the different systems has been identified. The purpose of this research is to see which measures can give the greatest cost-effective savings. Method used is a case study, which was an energy survey, combined with a literature review of relevant information. Data collection consisted of information from the property owner,inspection of the building and electricity measurements. The result shows that there are great savings to be made. If proposed measures are implemented (see section 4.6), energy consumption for heating can be reduced by 144,9 MWh/year or 32,4%. Energy used by lightning can be reduced by 46,8 MWh/year or 40,3%and other measures can be reduced by 41 MWh/year or 53%. Measures that can be performed for free were considered the most cost-effective, such as lowering the indoor temperature or turning off equipment between days. For measures with investment cost, isolation of the attic was considered most cost -effective with a payoff time of 5 years. To invest in sun cells would reduce the bought electricity with 56,8 MWh/yr. Due to lack of information, assumptions and simplifications were made that could have caused sources of error.

The subject of this thesis is to create a project documentation of the design of a new office building construction in Fulnek – Jerlochovice. The building is located between residential and industrial zone. It has three aboveground levels. There is a technical backgroud, toilets, archive, rest zone for employees and two openspace offices located on the ground floor. The second floor is designed on the same basis. There are two openspace offices situated on the west side, background for company managment, toilets and day room with kitchen. The third floor is designed as conference room with kitchen and toilets. Construction system is cast-in-place concrete frame. The building is roofed with the flat roof. Foundations are made of one-stage concrete footing.

The aim of this diploma thesis is the processing of selected parts of the construction technology project for the New office and manufacturing building of GRADIOR TECH a.s. The building is located in the Královopolská industrial park in Brno - Královo pole. The construction is divided into 6 buildings. The indicative time and financial plan focuses on the building as a whole. Furthermore, the diploma thesis focuses in detail on the construction technology project project in detail on the building of the office building, which is based on drilled piles. On these piles, the cup feet for pillar fitting are placed on which the beams are fitted together with frames and ceiling panels. The building is diverse and contains both prefabricated and monolithic structures.

This diploma thesis deals with the design of a new building of the municipal office building in Bludov, at the level of design documentation for the construction. The building consists mainly of offices for the operation of the municipal office, on the first floor there is a municipal library for the public. The building is designed on a slightly sloping plot with entrance from the east side. The building consists of three above-ground floors and one underground floor. Design documentation for building construction is processed in the computer program ArchiCAD.

This final thesis is about the object of civic amenities. This office building have three levels above ground and basement under the whole area of building. The structural system of the object is reinforced concrete frames in both directions. Object is designed as building with two wings and the middle narrowed part for communication. Building has flat roof and shelter for parking cars with one part used as terrace for café. Object is built on slightly sloped ground from south to north.

The subject of the diploma thesis is an architectural study of the forecourt of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station. The project is based on a pre-diploma project which aimed to develop an urban concept. At the moment the buildings in the area are in an unsuitable condition from a construction - technical and architectural perspective. The urban-architectural study was intended to create a new concept for the forecourt and simultaneously enable its efficient operation in case of the completion of a new nuclear unit. The concept of the solution is based on the removal of outdated buildings and their replacement with new buildings which will meet the current requirements of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station. From the current layout the main roads, the gatehouse, the information center and the greenery will be preserved. After removing the selected buildings, the renovation area will be divided into the main axes on which the main road network will be designed. The unsuitable connection to public road infrastructure will be solved by minimizing the entrances to the area to two entrances and by moving the suburban bus station from the main road. After connecting the whole area by roads, the area will be divided into functional areas. In front of the gatehouse there will be a square surrounded by public services, an administrative building and by the preserved information center building. From this space, the main representative space of the entire complex will be created. Warehouses and workshops will be located behind the square. Transport areas will be located at the rear of the complex. Thanks to this location, there will be a good connection with the current factory and also with the planned completion of the new nuclear unit on the west of the area. There will also be educational and sport facilities in the complex. The kindergarten will be oriented towards the preserved greenery.

The master thesis describes a complete design of an office building, including its technical equipment. The building's technical equipment contains HVAC, lighting, DHW and photovoltaics design, water demand. The building has two floors. It contains offices, a bistro with a lounge, a wellness area and two gyms, a children's playground and facilities. This master thesis is divided into three parts. Firstly, the thesis presents building documentation with an engineering and an accompanying report. Secondly, the thesis introduces the design of the building's technical equipment and engineering reports. Lastly, the results of a conducted experiment are presented. In this experiment, a system for the optimization of blind tilt angle is proposed.