In an era of sustainable development and energy-conscious design, understanding how occupants interact with buildings is pivotal. During the CIBSE Technical Symposium 2024, thought leaders explored these dynamics in depth through sessions like “Analysing & Simulating Occupant Behaviour for Better Building Performance.” This blog delves into key insights from this session, highlighting the interplay between occupant behaviour, building design, and energy efficiency—and how tools like VEXO International’s Smart Building Management System (S-BMS) can drive transformative outcomes.
Dr. Farhad Mofidi’s work on behavioural intelligence emphasises modelling occupants’ responses to environmental conditions to enhance energy management in offices. By integrating computational models that reflect individual thermal and visual comfort preferences, buildings can achieve a balance between energy efficiency and occupant productivity. For instance, systems that acknowledge diverse preferences and situational behaviour can optimise energy costs without compromising comfort.
Dr. Farhad Mofidi’s work on behavioural intelligence emphasises modelling occupants’ responses to environmental conditions to enhance energy management in offices. By integrating computational models that reflect individual thermal and visual comfort preferences, buildings can achieve a balance between energy efficiency and occupant productivity. For instance, systems that acknowledge diverse preferences and situational behaviour can optimise energy costs without compromising comfort.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to residential energy patterns, as outlined by Francesca James. Her study revealed shifts in heat demand profiles due to altered routines, necessitating adaptive designs for residential heat networks. Such insights highlight the importance of integrating behavioural data into building performance models.
Huda Elsherif showcased how optimized mixed-mode buildings can balance natural ventilation and air-conditioning, tailored to specific socio-economic and climatic conditions. A notable example was her retrofit strategy for Sudanese homes, where zoning and natural ventilation drastically reduced energy reliance. These strategies underscore the need to factor in cultural and behavioural nuances when designing energy-efficient buildings.
Examples such as the Tanzania eco-village illustrate the tangible benefits of adaptive building designs. Using natural ventilation and strategic zoning, such projects enhance comfort while staying resilient to climate change.
Research by Vincenzo Rossi highlighted the impact of public campaigns on household energy behaviour, such as the adoption of lower boiler temperatures during the UK’s energy crisis. These findings demonstrate the power of data-driven insights to drive societal shifts towards sustainable energy practices.
Integrating occupant behaviour data into predictive models is the future of smart buildings. Multi-objective optimisation frameworks, such as those presented by Mofidi, allow for real-time adjustments that align energy efficiency with occupant satisfaction, paving the way for more resilient and adaptable building designs.
VEXO International’s Smart Building Management System (S-BMS) aligns perfectly with the insights shared at the CIBSE Technical Symposium. By leveraging advanced data analytics and real-time monitoring, S-BMS empowers building managers to:
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The CIBSE Technical Symposium 2024 session “Whole Life Carbon Frameworks and Knowledge” emphasised innovative strategies to reduce emissions across a building’s lifecycle. From retrofitting London’s
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