Highperformance office building: A novel, designerly and data-driven approach to integrating shading types and HVAC system details

This study presents a data-driven framework integrating passive (shading) and active (HVAC) systems to reduce energy consumption while enhancing indoor climate control. We evaluate two strategies: (1) intelligent coordination of external/internal Venetian blinds via Energy Management Systems (EMS), and (2) optimization of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) parameters (Pressure Rise [PR], Fan Total Efficiency [FTE]). Three climate zones are analyzed: 3B (Tehran: hot-dry), 4C (Ohrid: temperate), and 5A (Zurich: cold). Results demonstrate that external Venetian blinds significantly reduce cooling energy consumption compared to unshaded scenarios, with PR values decreasing from 200 to 50 kPa in Tehran, 100 to 50 kPa in Ohrid, and 250 to 100 kPa in Zurich. Internal Venetian blinds show comparable benefits in Climate 5A. VRF optimization reveals consistent PR averages of 2.16 (3B), 2.09 (4C/5A), and FTE values of 0.34 (3B), 0.38 (4C), and 0.49 (5A). In Climate 5A, replacing PR 100/50/20 with PR 250 yields energy consumption reductions of 1.3/0.98/0.86 kWh/m 2 /day, respectively. The synergy between smart shading and VRF tuning proves critical—without Venetian blinds, PR spikes by 300 % (Tehran), 100 % (Ohrid), and 150 % (Zurich), underscoring shading's role in curbing HVAC loads. These findings provide actionable insights for high-performance architecture, demonstrating energy consumption reductions of 12–18 % across climates through EMS-mediated shading-HVAC coordination. The study advances climate change mitigation by bridging design innovation with mechanical system optimization, offering a replicable model for sustainable buildings.