Building Performance Analysis

7Working with Building Performance

Previous chapters have developed a foundation for working with building performance and have introduced the main quantification methods that may be used in building performance analysis. However, it should be clear from the previous discussion that actual performance analysis always takes place in a specific context and thus requires customization.

There are many issues that interact when conducting building performance analysis in practice. All of these revolve around the central concept of a (set of) appropriate performance measure(s). However, this set needs to be developed through hard work. Each analysis effort relates to a specific case, which has its own dynamics and mostly is unique. The case needs to be related to appropriate performance criteria, as well as to a suitable quantification method. Within each of these factors, there is further complexity. Specific cases all come with their own special interests and drivers, which define what performance aspects are to be evaluated. The context varies strongly in terms of stakeholders, point in the building life cycle and surroundings of the building. The building design itself is another factor, with most buildings being bespoke and unique. There may be an interest in specific systems that drives the performance analysis; similarly the analysis effort itself may highlight the importance of some systems. Loads and system excitation typically vary highly and are yet another factor that ...