The Effect Of Glazing In The Thermal Environment Of A Fully-Glazed Office Building: The Case Of The New Cbe Hq Office Building

Abstract

The Growing Prevalence Of Large Glass Facades In Office Buildings Raises Questions Whether Considerations Regarding The Thermal Environment Of Office Spaces And Their Impact On Energy Usage Throughout The Building's Lifespan Are Factored In During The Selection Of Glazing Materials. This Research Aims To Explore The Impact Of Glazing On Thermal Comfort In High-Rise Office Settings, With Particular Emphasis On The Recently Completed Cbe Building In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As The Tallest High-Rise Structure In The Nation With Advanced Features, A 100% Wall-To-Window Ratio, And An Advanced Hvac System Makes This Building Ideal For This Study. Data From Weather Sources, Architectural Details, And Hvac Specifications Were Collected From The Project Management Office And Literature Sources. Carrier's Hourly Analysis Program Software Was Used To Simulate The Thermal Load And Energy Consumption Of Different Glazing Structures Based On The Hvac System Of The Building. The Finding Of This Study Shows That The Double-Glazed Vision Panel Glass Utilized In The Cbe-Hq Office Building Is One Of The Most Effective Glazing Options, Recording The Lowest Thermal Loads And Ranking Third In Energy Savings Among The Alternatives. The Cooling Load Was Recorded 1727.1 Kw Indicating The Energy Required To Keep The Indoor Environment Comfortable In Warmer Seasons, While The Heating Load Was Recorded 567.7 Kw Showing The Energy Needed For Colder Seasons; Showing A Higher Demand For Cooling. It Also Achieves A Notable 14.14% Reduction In Energy Consumption Compared To The Least Efficient Option, Highlighting The Effectiveness Of The Double-Glazed Vision Panel Glass In Enhancing The Overall Occupant Comfort And Energy Efficiency And The Importance Of Selecting Appropriate Glazing Materials In Building Design. The Subjective Evaluation Made Using Questionnaire Implies That The Thermal Environment In The New Cbe Hq Building Is Largely Acceptable To Its Occupants. In General, This Research Recommends The Integration Of Multi-Pane And Reflective Glazing Within The Combination Of Glazing Systems In Buildings, Allowing Professionals To Design Buildings That Emphasize Thermal Comfort And Energy Efficiency.