Review on Design Strategies of Energy Saving Office Building with Evaporative Cooling in Tropical Region

Abstract

This research reviews the theories and design of energy-saving office buildings that apply evaporative cooling concepts to inhibit solar heat and improve natural cooling. The limited land in urban areas forces the building orientation facing East-West to increase building heat gain in tropical regions. This research is interesting because evaporative cooling is rarely found in office building design, especially in tropical areas. The method used is literature searching (theory, journal, and president) related to the energy-saving building (passive design) and passive cooling with evaporative cooling techniques. A review of design strategies can be used as a reference for general criteria applied at the design stage of office building architectural design. As a limitation, questions are needed to find related theories such as (1) what are the factors of building heat control and the criteria required in designing energy-saving office building (2) how to apply evaporative cooling techniques to design the energysaving office building. Solar heat is a key factor in building heat gain. So it must be noticed to control building heat to protect heat transfer into buildings. The results of the design energy saving office buildings in the tropical region have required the application of passive designs such as building orientation, building core placement, shading elements, cross ventilation, natural lighting, producing shape, and application of evaporative cooling with consideration of wind direction and hottest side due to solar radiation.

Energy-efficiency measures to achieve zero energy buildings in tropical and humid climates

“…The context for the strategies of passive cooling usually falls into three categories: (i) reducing heat gains, (ii) changing heat gains, and (iii) removing internal heat [34]. Some techniques applied are designing wind into buildings, using evaporative cooling, double-skin facades, radiant cooling, large windows, solar chimney, and earth cooling [35].…”

“…The remaining 56% corresponds to hydropower. Nevertheless, many connoisseurs in the field do not consider the latter renewable energy sources due to their environmental impact [35]. Tropical regions have the highest solar radiation levels, mainly in the desert area of Africa [36].…”