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A Biophilic Design Approach for Improved Energy Performance in Retrofitting Residential Projects

Author

Listed:
  • Maliha Afroz Nitu

    (School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)

  • Ozgur Gocer

    (School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)

  • Niranjika Wijesooriya

    (School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia)

  • Diksha Vijapur

    (Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia)

  • Christhina Candido

    (Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia)

Abstract

The existing building stock is recognised as a major contributor to total energy consumption and related carbon emissions around the globe. There is increased attention on the retrofit of existing building stock, especially residential buildings, as a way of curbing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Within this context, human nature connectedness (HNC) has the potential of further amplifying the benefits of sustainable buildings both from an energy conservation practice and tangible improvements to users’ satisfaction, health, and wellbeing. This study attempts to show a case study of the potential of using HNC through the adoption of biophilic design principles to improve a residential building performance. A terrace house located in Sydney, NSW, was used as a case study and proposed retrofit scenarios were simulated with DesignBuilder ® and Rhinoceros/Grasshopper with a view of improved daylighting, thermal comfort, and energy consumption. The building performance is improved in terms of daylighting, thermal comfort, and reduced energy consumption, additionally enhancing HNC.

Suggested Citation

  • Maliha Afroz Nitu & Ozgur Gocer & Niranjika Wijesooriya & Diksha Vijapur & Christhina Candido, 2022. "A Biophilic Design Approach for Improved Energy Performance in Retrofitting Residential Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3776-:d:777611
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Omer, Abdeen Mustafa, 2008. "Energy, environment and sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(9), pages 2265-2300, December.
    2. Terri Peters & Kristen D'Penna, 2020. "Biophilic Design for Restorative University Learning Environments: A Critical Review of Literature and Design Recommendations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Helen Santiago Fink, 2016. "Human-Nature for Climate Action: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Ruparathna, Rajeev & Hewage, Kasun & Sadiq, Rehan, 2016. "Improving the energy efficiency of the existing building stock: A critical review of commercial and institutional buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1032-1045.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Deborah Lefosse & Arjan van Timmeren & Carlo Ratti, 2023. "Biophilia Upscaling: A Systematic Literature Review Based on a Three-Metric Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-34, November.
    2. Huizi Deng & Muhammad Azzam Ismail & Raha Sulaiman, 2025. "Exploring the Impact of Biophilic Design Interventions on Children’s Engagement with Natural Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, March.
    3. Yan Sun & Xiaojian Liu, 2022. "How Design Technology Improves the Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage Products: A Practical Study on Bamboo Basketry Craft," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Fabrizio Cumo & Federica Giustini & Elisa Pennacchia & Carlo Romeo, 2022. "The “D2P” Approach: Digitalisation, Production and Performance in the Standardised Sustainable Deep Renovation of Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-28, September.
    5. Marko Mihajlovic & Jelena Atanackovic Jelicic & Milan Rapaic, 2025. "Green Cores as Architectural and Environmental Anchors: A Performance-Based Framework for Residential Refurbishment in Novi Sad, Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Ahmed M. Bolteya & Mohamed A. Elsayad & Ola D. El Monayeri & Adel M. Belal, 2022. "Impact of Phase Change Materials on Cooling Demand of an Educational Facility in Cairo, Egypt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, November.

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