abstract: High performing and sustainable building certification bodies continue to update their requirements, leading to scope modification of certifications, and an increasing number of viable sources of environmental information for building materials. In conjunction, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is seeing increasing demand for such environmental product information. The industry and certifications are moving from using single attribute environmental information about building materials to lifecycle based information to inform their design decisions. This dissertation seeks to understand the current practices, and then focus on strategies to effectively utilize newer sources of environmental product information in high performance building design. The first phase of research used a survey of 119 U.S.-based AEC practitioners experienced in certified sustainable building projects to understand how the numerous sources of environmental information are currently used in the building design process. The second phase asked two focus groups of experienced AEC professionals to develop a Message Sequence Chart (MSC) that documents the conceptual design process for a recently designed building. Then, the focus group participants integrated a new sustainability requirement for building materials, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), into their project, and documented the adjustments to their specific design process in a second, modified MSC highlighting potential drivers for inclusion of EPDs. Finally, the author examines the broader applicability of these drivers through case studies. Specifically, 19 certified high-performance building (HPB) case studies, for reviewing the impact of three different potential drivers on the design team’s approach to considering environmental product information during conceptual design of a HPB, as well as the projects certification level. LEED certification has changed the design of buildings, and the new information sources for building materials will inform the way the industry selects building materials. Meanwhile, these information sources will need to expand to include a growing number of products, and potentially more data as the industry’s understanding of the impacts of building materials develops. This research expands upon previous research on LEED certification to illustrates that owner engagement and commitment to the HPB process is a critical success factor for the use of environmental product information about building materials. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2018

Residential and commercial buildings account for almost 40 % of total U.S. energy consumption and U.S. carbon dioxide emissions (Pew Center, 2009). Nearly all of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the residential and commercial sectors can be attributed to energy use in buildings, making high performance energy efficient buildings central to addressing diminishing resources and transitioning to a green economy. However, energy efficiency in buildings receives inadequate attention because first least cost decision-making as opposed to life cycle cost analysis (Romm, 1999). When life cycle analysis is used, it typically captures only the ‘hard’ financial cost benefits of operational energy and maintenance savings, but rarely includes environmental capital or human capital savings. This thesis proposes an empirical approach to triple bottom line calculations that integrates the economic, environmental and human cost benefits to accelerate investments in high performance building technologies. The development of a new methodology for capital expenditures in investments in the built environment can provide compelling arguments for decision makers and encourage the widespread adoption of high performance building technologies. In the first bottom line, this research quantifies the ‘financial’ or capital costs and benefits of high performance building investments, by broadening the category of associated benefits beyond energy savings from an investment (Birkenfeld et al., 2011). Traditionally, building investment decisions are made using a value engineering approach, which is driven by the agenda of cost reduction rather than valuing the benefit of different alternatives. Using net present value (NPV) and return on investment (ROI) indices, well-known in financial practices, the first bottom line calculation in this thesis moves away from a ‘first least cost’ to a life cycle approach to account for multiple non-energy financial benefits that can directly be quantified for the building decision maker. To advance a second bottom line that can be translated into Corporate Sustainability Reporting, the thesis provides a methodology for capturing the environmental benefits of reducing electricity demand related to carbon, air quality and water resources. These calculations are based on three levels of information - electricity fuel sources and power plant quality, the respective air pollution and water consumption consequences, and emerging valuation incentives for pollution reduction. The methodology focuses on critical greenhouse gases CO2, CH4; SOx, NOx, as well as particulates and water use, for three global scenarios – an emerging economy such as India, a country with mid-level sustainability goals such as the US, and a leading economy with low carbon growth goals such as the EU - in order to represent the range of environmental impacts of electric energy use. The capital saved by avoiding the environmental impacts of electricity use based on fuel source and mix can thus be added to each kilowatt-hour of electricity saved in a second bottom line calculation. To advance the third bottom line, this thesis engages a methodology for measuring and quantifying human benefits from building investments based on ongoing development of CMU CBPD's BIDS toolkit. The methodology is built on the field and laboratory research findings that link high performance building design decisions to human health and individual and organizational productivity. This thesis advances an approach to handling the third bottom line calculations, including an approach to establishing baselines, applying a broad base of laboratory and field findings. Given first cost data from vendors, first bottom line simple paybacks for 12 energy retrofit measures ranges from 2-20 years - with energy and facility management savings. When the environmental benefits are included, simple paybacks were accelerated to 1.5-18 years. Most strikingly, when human benefits are included - from reduced headaches and absenteeism to improved task performance or productivity - paybacks for investments in energy efficiency in US offices are often less than 1 year. To support the validity and reliability of results, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to validate how Triple Bottom Line (TBL) cost benefits might impact and shift decision-making patterns from a least-first-cost approach to an approach that includes TBL information. Field testing of the potential influence on decision makers to move beyond first-cost decision-making to support investments in high performance, energy efficient technologies revealed the positive impact of Triple Bottom Line accounting for decision makers (p<0.05). The introduction of triple bottom line accounting for decision-makers in the built environment may be the most critical catalyst for investments in building energy improvements.

A presente pesquisa contribui para a realização de edifícios com um maior desempenho socioambiental e em equilíbrio com as questões culturais e econômicas atuantes no contexto dos empreendimentos. Foram estudados três casos que utilizaram o referencial do Processo AQUA (método de avaliação de empreendimentos sustentáveis, de origem francesa). O escopo da pesquisa está limitado às etapas do empreendimento que vão da concepção do projeto ao término da construção. Os objetivos propostos são identificar e analisar como o processo de gestão de empreendimentos se altera para a realização de edifícios com um melhor desempenho socioambiental, e os impactos dos requisitos propostos pelo referencial do Processo AQUA na elaboração das soluções técnicas e de outras estratégias, presentes nos projetos dos edifícios estudados. Adota como método de pesquisa o estudo de caso, baseado em entrevistas e análise documental. Os resultados e conclusões apontam que deve haver a participação de todas as partes interessadas, dando especial atenção à necessidade da formação da equipe de projetos logo nas primeiras fases da realização do empreendimento; também indicam que novas competências passam a fazer parte do processo e devem ser integradas à equipe, em momentos adequados, e que as soluções técnicas se desenvolvem de forma contínua e mais acelerada nos empreendimentos de edifícios de alto desempenho socioambiental, pois estes apresentam novas proposições de projeto que demandam desenvolvimento tecnológico dos projetistas, dos fabricantes de materiais e das empresas construtoras. / This research contributes to carrying out buildings with a higher environmental performance and in harmony with economic and cultural issues that take place in the projects context. It studied three cases, which employed the reference guide of the AQUA Process (a sustainable buildings assessment method of French origin). The scope of the research is limited from the concept design phase to the end of the construction phase. The objectives are to identify and analyze how the process of project management changes in order to improve the environmental performance of the buildings, and the impacts of the AQUA Process requirements on the development of technical solutions and other strategies, in the buildings studied here. As a research methodology it makes use of the case study, based on interviews and documentary analysis. The findings and conclusions indicate the need for the participation of all stakeholders, giving special attention to the necessity of shaping the project\'s team in the very first stages of the activity; they also reveal that new skills become part of the process and should be integrated into the team, at appropriate times, and that technical solutions are developed continuously and faster in high-performance building projects due to the new proposals they present, which demand technology development of designers, material manufacturers and construction companies.

A presente pesquisa contribui para a realização de edifícios com um maior desempenho socioambiental e em equilíbrio com as questões culturais e econômicas atuantes no contexto dos empreendimentos. Foram estudados três casos que utilizaram o referencial do Processo AQUA (método de avaliação de empreendimentos sustentáveis, de origem francesa). O escopo da pesquisa está limitado às etapas do empreendimento que vão da concepção do projeto ao término da construção. Os objetivos propostos são identificar e analisar como o processo de gestão de empreendimentos se altera para a realização de edifícios com um melhor desempenho socioambiental, e os impactos dos requisitos propostos pelo referencial do Processo AQUA na elaboração das soluções técnicas e de outras estratégias, presentes nos projetos dos edifícios estudados. Adota como método de pesquisa o estudo de caso, baseado em entrevistas e análise documental. Os resultados e conclusões apontam que deve haver a participação de todas as partes interessadas, dando especial atenção à necessidade da formação da equipe de projetos logo nas primeiras fases da realização do empreendimento; também indicam que novas competências passam a fazer parte do processo e devem ser integradas à equipe, em momentos adequados, e que as soluções técnicas se desenvolvem de forma contínua e mais acelerada nos empreendimentos de edifícios de alto desempenho socioambiental, pois estes apresentam novas proposições de projeto que demandam desenvolvimento tecnológico dos projetistas, dos fabricantes de materiais e das empresas construtoras. / This research contributes to carrying out buildings with a higher environmental performance and in harmony with economic and cultural issues that take place in the projects context. It studied three cases, which employed the reference guide of the AQUA Process (a sustainable buildings assessment method of French origin). The scope of the research is limited from the concept design phase to the end of the construction phase. The objectives are to identify and analyze how the process of project management changes in order to improve the environmental performance of the buildings, and the impacts of the AQUA Process requirements on the development of technical solutions and other strategies, in the buildings studied here. As a research methodology it makes use of the case study, based on interviews and documentary analysis. The findings and conclusions indicate the need for the participation of all stakeholders, giving special attention to the necessity of shaping the project\'s team in the very first stages of the activity; they also reveal that new skills become part of the process and should be integrated into the team, at appropriate times, and that technical solutions are developed continuously and faster in high-performance building projects due to the new proposals they present, which demand technology development of designers, material manufacturers and construction companies.

Current designs of high performance buildings utilize hourly building energy simulations of complex, interacting systems. Such simulations need to quantify the benefits of numerous features including: thermal mass, HVAC systems and, in some cases, special features such as active and passive solar systems, photovoltaic systems, and lighting and daylighting systems. Unfortunately, many high performance buildings today do not perform the way they were simulated. One potential reason for this discrepancy is that designers using the simulation programs do not understand the analysis methods that the programs are based on and therefore they may have unreasonable expectations about the system performance or use. The purpose of this study is to trace the origins of a variety of simulation programs and the analysis methods used in the programs to analyze high performance buildings in the United States. Such an analysis is important to better understand the capabilities of the simulation programs so they can be used more accurately to simulate the performance of an intended design. The goal of this study is to help explain the origins of the analysis methods used in whole-building energy simulation, solar system analysis simulation or design, and lighting and daylighting analysis simulation programs. A comprehensive history diagram or genealogy chart, which resolves discrepancies between the diagrams of previous studies, has been provided to support the explanations for the above mentioned simulation programs.

Ces travaux de thèse portent sur le développement d’une nouvelle méthodologie pour l’identification de défauts de bâtiments performants et connectés afin d'aider à la garantie de performances. Nous avons dans un premier temps resitué nos travaux dans le contexte énergétique actuel en montrant le rôle majeur des bâtiments dans la réduction des consommations énergétiques. Nous avons ensuite présenté notre méthodologie en argumentant sur les techniques à utiliser avant d’effectuer un choix final. Cette méthodologie se compose de deux blocs principaux : le premier vise à réduire les incertitudes liées à l'occupant et à l'environnement et le second étudie l'écart entre la simulation et la mesure par une analyse de sensibilité couplée à un algorithme bayésien. Nous l'avons ensuite implémentée dans un outil que nous avons nommé REFATEC. Nous avons alors soumis notre méthodologie à différents tests dans des conditions idéales afin d’éprouver sa précision et son temps d’exécution. Cette étape a montré que la méthodologie est efficace mais montre quelques faiblesses dans le cas d’une saison estivale ou d’un défaut très localisé. Enfin, nous l’avons mise en situation face à un cas réel afin de traiter les nombreuses questions que soulèvent l’utilisation de mesures in-situ dans la perspective de la garantie de performances et de la détection de défauts, avec notamment la fiabilité des mesures et les incertitudes encore nombreuses qui doivent être traitées. / This thesis deals with the development of a new methodology for fault detection within smart high-performance buildings helping the performance guarantee. We first have placed our work in the current energy context by focusing on the major role of buildings in the decrease of energy consumption. Then we introduced our methodology and we argued about various techniques that could be used before making a choice. This methodology is made up of two main parts : the former reduces the uncertainties due to the occupant and the environment and the latter studies the gap between simulation and measurements thanks to a sensitivity analysis coupled with a bayesian algorithm. Then we implemented it within a tool that we named REFATEC. We carried out various tests in controlled conditions in order to evaluate its precision and its calculation time. This step showed that our methodology is effective but it has some difficulties when the studied period is during summer or when the faults are very located. is a very located fault. Eventually we confronted our methodology to a real case where we faced numerous questions that appear when dealing with measurements, especially their reliability and the uncertainties that still need to be taken care of, in the perspective of performance guarantee and fault detection.

Les demandes des usagers conjuguées à la réglementation nécessitent de concevoir des bâtiments de plus en plus confortables et économes en énergie. En parallèle de ces exigences, les réglementations concernant les bâtiments sont renforcées dans différents domaines (acoustique, sécurité incendie, risque sismique,…) afin d’obtenir des bâtiments plus sûrs et correspondant aux demandes des usagers. Les impacts conjugués de ces deux facteurs engendrent une complexification de la conception des bâtiments.Cette thèse présente une démarche d’aide à la connaissance pour la conception de bâtis performants se basant sur une méthode d’optimisation. Cette démarche vise à ce que les architectes et les bureaux d’études aient une connaissance claire du potentiel de leur projet (exploration de solutions) en phase amont de conception, pour concevoir des bâtiments les plus performants possibles. Ce potentiel est évalué via des paramètres de la géométrie extérieure et intérieure ainsi que des caractéristiques énergétiques du bâti. La démarche leur permet également d’évaluer les avantages et inconvénients de différentes géométries et solutions de conception qu’ils envisagent pour répondre à leurs projets. Cette démarche est appliquée à un immeuble de bureaux à Lyon.Pour le cas testé, la démarche permet d’obtenir rapidement des solutions performantes et de définir pour certains des paramètres étudiés, des valeurs conduisant aux solutions performantes dans une partie de l’espace des solutions ou dans l’ensemble de cet espace.Cette application de la démarche montre également qu’il peut exister des solutions ayant des besoins énergétiques et des coûts de construction proches mais étant très différentes en termes de paramètres de conception. Bien que remettant en cause l'applicabilité directe de la démarche, ce résultat met en exergue un problème nouveau. Cette thèse pose alors les bases pour une nouvelle étude. / Both aspirations of users and improvements in the thermal regulation require that the comfort and the energy efficiency of new buildings improve. In addition to these requirements, regulations are strengthening in many fields such as acoustics, fire safety and mechanical performance. The combined effects of these factors are making it increasingly hard to design buildings. This thesis presents a knowledge-aid approach for designing high-performance buildings based on an optimization method. This approach aims to provide clear knowledge of the potential of projects (exploration of various options) for architects and design offices at the beginning of the design that will allow them to design the best possible high-performance buildings. This potential is evaluated using external and internal geometric parameters as well as the energy characteristics of buildings. This approach also allows them to assess geometries and design solutions which are intended to be used for their projects.This approach will be applied to an office building in Lyon, France. For the tested case, the approach obtains quickly efficient solutions and also finds, for some parameters, values to design efficient solutions on part of the Paretofront or in this entire front. This application of the approach also shows that there may be solutions which are close in terms of energy needs and cost but could be very different on design parameters. This problem could influence robustness of the approach but highlights a new problem. This thesis then lays the foundation of a new study on this topic.

Based on the design decision making process from an architect’s point of view, a related literature review, theoretical analyses, and inductive inferences, this thesis proposes a new interpretation of high-performance building (HPB), translates/maps criteria issues related to building environmental assessment (BEA) tools for key design decision making elements, and identifies sources of inspiration for HPB designs. This thesis intends to propose an integrated conceptual model for the design of HPBs to provide direct knowledge-based decision making support to architects in the early design phase. Studies on key design decision making elements, sources of inspiration, and building information modeling are integrated into this genesis of conceptual design. The concept of the HPB proposed in this thesis emphasizes comprehensive sustainable building performance in environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects. The concept takes the view that HPBs should be aesthetically attractive, socio-culturally adapted, safe, healthy, and comfortable, and should operate at a high level of environmental, resource, and economic efficiency throughout their life cycle. This thesis discusses the topics of the necessity, benefits, and design principles of HPBs. An analysis of the characteristics of BEA tools and HPB design decision making revealed their relationship: the consequence of goals and the mismatch of practices. BEA tools provide the basic information (such as framework, content, evaluation methods, and processes) related to decision making to promote a holistic HPB design at a practical level. However, given the mismatch of practices between BEA tools and HPB design decision making, most such tools are still used for testing and verifying the design results and do not consider the design decision making process. Existing BEA tools primarily guide or indirectly affect the design work but, in practice, play a limited role in directly helping architects make early decisions regarding HPB design. First, for a detailed comparison, this thesis identified the common criteria issues for the three existing BEA tools: SBTool 2012 (maximum version), LEED NC-v3, and the Chinese Evaluation Standard for Green Building (ESGB). A total of 51 common/similar criteria issues were identified and such issues were found to be primarily allocated in the energy and resources, indoor environmental quality, environmental loads, and site areas. SBTool 2012 contains the widest range and most comprehensive criteria issues of building performance, whereas the LEED NC-v3 and ESGB frameworks poorly cover social- and economic-related issues. Second, this thesis separated the criteria into whether they relate to decision making factors or building performance factors. Third, this thesis mapped HPB criteria issues into HPB design decision making elements. This thesis establishes a framework for key design decision elements for Chinese residential buildings by selecting a residential building type in China as a case study for the mapping approach application. The optimum criteria issues for Chinese residential buildings contain 10 primary criteria issues and 35 sub-criteria issues that cover aspects within the entire sustainable performance range and that correspond to key design decision making elements in this framework. This thesis also proposes two fundamental support approaches to creative design for HPBs: rational technical support and irrational divergent inspirational support. Based on practical design examples, three major types of irrational sources of inspiration in an architect’s design for HPBs have been identified: previous empirics, nature objects and phenomena, and advanced science and technologies. Finally, a new integrated conceptual model to support an architect’s early design decisions is established based on the BIM platform. The model contains two main aspects of the work: an initial building information model and an optimal building information model for HPBs during the early design stage. This conceptual model is presented as a generic approach that can be customized for different designers and project conditions. The model can also be used as a framework for providing knowledge-based creative support for decision making related to HPB design. In summary, this thesis intends to provide both a theoretical base and feasible measures for better HPB design and references for developing design decision making support tools for architects to use during the early HPB design process. / <p>QC 20131115</p>

The North House is a proof-of-concept prefabricated solar powered home designed for northern climates, and intended for the research and promotion of high-performance sustainable architecture. Led by faculty at the University of Waterloo, the development and design of the project involved a broad collaboration between faculty and students at the University of Waterloo, with Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University. The North House prototype competed in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in October of 2009. This thesis identifies the North House as a component-based building. It illustrates in detail the components of which the house is composed, the sequence by which they are assembled, and the details that allow for the building’s rapid assembly and disassembly. Finally, the thesis explores the possibilities afforded by componentbased architecture including adaptability, off-site fabrication and demountability. Drawing on this, the thesis projects future ways of designing buildings sustainable to both manufacture and operate.

The North House is a proof-of-concept prefabricated solar powered home designed for northern climates, and intended for the research and promotion of high-performance sustainable architecture. Led by faculty at the University of Waterloo, the development and design of the project involved a broad collaboration between faculty and students at the University of Waterloo, with Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University. The North House prototype competed in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon in October of 2009. This thesis identifies the North House as a component-based building. It illustrates in detail the components of which the house is composed, the sequence by which they are assembled, and the details that allow for the building’s rapid assembly and disassembly. Finally, the thesis explores the possibilities afforded by componentbased architecture including adaptability, off-site fabrication and demountability. Drawing on this, the thesis projects future ways of designing buildings sustainable to both manufacture and operate.