Optimization of building shape for solar radiation efficiency: insights from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau

Abstract Building shape plays a pivotal role in balancing mechanical properties and energy performance in early architectural design. Conventional metrics, such as the shape coefficient of buildings (SCB) and compactness, are widely used for assessing shape suitability but suffer from capturing physical meaning or accurately reflecting energy consumption, particularly in regions like the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where cooling loads are negligible, and SCB fails to account for the beneficial effects of solar radiation. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel method for building shape optimization by introducing a correction factor that accounts for the ratio of heat consumption with and without solar radiation to adjust the SCB. Eight representative cities—Kashi, Hotan, Lhasa, Qamdo, Golmud, Xining, Garze, and Lijiang—were selected for analysis. Hourly heat loads were simulated to determine heating energy consumption during the heating period, and correlation analyses were conducted between the correction factor and key parameters such as solar radiation and air temperature. Preliminary results indicate that the SCB correction factor ranges from 0.52 to 0.73 across the studied cities, reflecting the coupling effects of solar radiation with indoor and outdoor air temperatures. This approach enhances building efficiency by optimizing shape design to better capture and utilize solar energy.