High-Performance Envelope: Energy Performance Analysis of Exterior Shell Improvements to Existing Buildings

The building industry is one of the significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 40% of such emissions. This has led to a growing concern among decision-makers, who are seeking ways to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. One way to address this issue is through the use of passive shell systems that can limit energy consumption. To investigate the impact of shading design on building energy consumption, a study was conducted to analyze the effect of an optimized shell on an administrative building according to Iran coding. The study aimed to explore the material and distance of an exterior shell from existing facades in the building and its impact on electricity and gas consumption. Using Design Builder software, the simulation was carried out to evaluate the potential benefits of the optimized shell. The findings of the study revealed that incorporating a lightweight plywood shell with no distance from the south side of the building's exterior walls can significantly improve long-term energy consumption in both summer and winter. This study highlights the potential of passive strategies, such as optimized shells, to reduce building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.