Eisazadeh, N; De Troyer, F and Allacker, K (2025) Environmental performance of patient rooms using an integrated approach considering operational energy, daylight and comfort analysis. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 14(4), pp. 1117-1142. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: The aim is to holistically assess the environmental performance of windows and analyse how their design and characteristics contribute to the overall performance of the building/space. This study focuses on the performance of windows in patient rooms hosting less mobile people. Design/methodology/approach: This study investigates the life cycle environmental impacts of different glazing types, window frames and fire safety doors at the product level. This article also presents a building-integrated environmental analysis of patient rooms that considers the multiple functionalities of windows by incorporating dynamic energy analysis, comfort and daylighting performance with a life cycle assessment (LCA) study. Findings: The results indicate that the amount of flat glass is the main contributor to the environmental impacts of the glazing units. As for the patient rooms, global warming shows the most significant contribution to the environmental costs, followed by human toxicity, particulate matter formation and eutrophication. The key drivers for these impacts are production processes and operational energy use. This study highlights the significance of evaluating a wide range of criteria for assessing the performance of windows. Originality/value: An integrated assessment approach is used to investigate the influence of windows on environmental performance by considering the link between window/design parameters and their effects on energy use/costs, daylighting, comfort and environmental impacts. The embodied impacts of different building elements and the influence of various design parameters on environmental performance are assessed and compared. The environmental costs are expressed as an external environmental cost (euro).
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | environmental impacts; life cycle assessment; multi-objective modelling; sustainability; windows |
| Index terms: | energy analysis, comfort, modelling, energy use, fire safety, environmental analysis, environmental performance, design parameter, eutrophication, life cycle, glazing, methodology, window, environmental impact, integrated approach, functionality, life cycle assessment, particulate, production process, global warming, daylighting |
| Subjects: | energy systems, value management, occupational health and safety management, environmental health, design features, analytical methods, contractual arrangements, climate science, environmental impact, design constraints, building performance, engineering analysis, research methods, sustainability assessment, manufacturing engineering, architectural elements, health safety and environment |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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