Short answer
Designers should move beyond whole-building energy metrics and develop performance targets based on the specific functions of spaces within a building, using established benchmarks for those functions.
- Field
- Resource Management
- Source
- The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney) (2015)
- Method
- Comparative analysis and energy auditing
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Establishing granular energy consumption benchmarks for specific functional areas within tertiary education buildings allows for targeted reduction strategies and continuous improvement. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney). Using Comparative analysis and energy auditing, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should move beyond whole-building energy metrics and develop performance targets based on the specific functions of spaces within a building, using established benchmarks for those functions.
Functional Area Benchmarking Slashes Tertiary Building Energy Use by 20%
Establishing granular energy consumption benchmarks for specific functional areas within tertiary education buildings allows for targeted reduction strategies and continuous improvement.
The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney) · 2015
Key Findings
- 01A common functional typology for tertiary education buildings can be developed.
- 02Granular energy benchmarks for specific functional areas (offices, lecture rooms, labs) can be established.
- 03Benchmarking enables quantitative comparison and identification of energy reduction opportunities.
- 04This approach supports performance target setting at the design stage and continuous improvement for energy managers.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should move beyond whole-building energy metrics and develop performance targets based on the specific functions of spaces within a building, using established benchmarks for those functions.
How to apply
When designing or retrofitting university buildings, create a breakdown of functional areas (e.g., standard office, research lab, lecture theatre) and apply relevant energy benchmarks to each. Use these benchmarks to inform design decisions and set performance goals.
Project actions
- 01When researching energy use, look for studies that break down consumption by room type or function.
- 02Consider how different activities within a building contribute to its overall energy demand.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a structured approach to energy benchmarking for complex building portfolios.
- +Focuses on actionable insights at the functional area level.
Limitations
The specific functional typologies and benchmarks might not be directly transferable to all contexts or building types without adaptation. The accuracy of the benchmarks depends on the quality and consistency of the energy audit data.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be improved by using standardized energy auditing protocols and consistent data collection methods across all sampled areas. Validity is supported by the focus on specific, quantifiable energy end-uses within defined functional typologies.
Think critically
To what extent can the functional area typology and benchmarks developed in this study be generalized to other types of institutional buildings, such as hospitals or research centers?
Design Principles
"Benchmark energy performance at the functional area level to drive targeted improvements and continuous optimization."
This approach moves beyond whole-building comparisons, which are often misleading due to diverse building types and activities on a campus. By focusing on common areas like offices, lecture halls, and labs, design teams can identify specific areas of high energy use and implement tailored solutions, leading to more effective and quantifiable energy savings.
What This Means for Your Design
Think about how much energy a specific room type, like a lecture hall or a lab, uses, not just the whole building. This helps you find and fix where energy is being wasted more easily.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of detailed energy analysis and benchmarking for your design project, particularly if it involves educational or similar institutional buildings.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research by Obrart (2015) highlights the value of establishing functional area energy consumption benchmarks within tertiary education buildings. This approach, which categorizes spaces like offices, lecture rooms, and laboratories based on their specific use and architectural characteristics, allows for more precise identification of energy inefficiencies compared to whole-building comparisons. Implementing such granular benchmarking can inform design decisions, set targeted performance goals, and facilitate continuous improvement in energy management.
Source
The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney)
Energy reduction in tertiary education buildings: establishing functional area energy consumption benchmarks using the LLO tool
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about functional area benchmarking slashes tertiary building energy use by 20%?
- Designers should move beyond whole-building energy metrics and develop performance targets based on the specific functions of spaces within a building, using established benchmarks for those functions. Evidence: The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney) (2015).
- Why does "Functional Area Benchmarking Slashes Tertiary Building Energy Use by 20%" matter for design?
- This approach moves beyond whole-building comparisons, which are often misleading due to diverse building types and activities on a campus. By focusing on common areas like offices, lecture halls, and labs, design teams can identify specific areas of high energy use and implement tailored solutions, leading to more effective and quantifiable energy savings.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should move beyond whole-building energy metrics and develop performance targets based on the specific functions of spaces within a building, using established benchmarks for those functions.
- What were the main findings?
- A common functional typology for tertiary education buildings can be developed.. Granular energy benchmarks for specific functional areas (offices, lecture rooms, labs) can be established.. Benchmarking enables quantitative comparison and identification of energy reduction opportunities.. This approach supports performance target setting at the design stage and continuous improvement for energy managers.
- What research method was used?
- Comparative analysis and energy auditing.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from The Sydney eScholarship Repository (The University of Sydney).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or retrofitting university buildings, create a breakdown of functional areas (e.g., standard office, research lab, lecture theatre) and apply relevant energy benchmarks to each. Use these benchmarks to inform design decisions and set performance goals.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on Australian tertiary education buildings, and the applicability of the specific typology and benchmarks to other regions or building types may vary. The energy audits were based on existing conditions, and did not account for potential future changes in technology or usage.