Work by: Jayati Chhabra (Course project – Building Physics Modeling)
About the Project: The goal of this project was to conduct daylight simulations and energy analyses to identify design strategies that offered the most effective trade-offs between visual comfort and energy performance. The building’s initial Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI) was approximately 500 kWh/m²·yr, which was successfully reduced to below 200 kWh/m²·yr through a combination of passive and active design strategies—while maintaining adequate daylighting levels throughout the occupied spaces.
This was particularly challenging given the project’s location in Kerala, which experiences a hot-humid climate characterized by high solar radiation, elevated humidity, and limited diurnal temperature variation. These conditions make it difficult to rely solely on passive measures, requiring a careful balance between shading, natural ventilation, and daylight optimization to ensure both comfort and energy efficiency.
Tools/Platforms used: Sketchup (modeling geometry), Diva for Rhino (daylighting), Ladybug and Honeybee in Grasshopper (Climate analysis, PMV, Operative Temperature and Energy Analysis)
Introduction and Design Iterations
Climate Analysis
Predicted Mean Vote
Operative Temperature
Point-in time illuminance
Daylight Availability
Daylight Glare Probabaility
Energy Analysis
Jayati Chhabra 