Optimization of Residential Building Orientation in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

This publication demonstrates an optimization process for the selection of the best solution for residential building orientation. Solar radiation absorbed by the outside walls of a building influences thermal comfort in the apartment. In winter, the solar radiation has a positive contribution and in summer – a negative. Solar gain depends on the orientation of the outside walls of the building. The aim of this work is to find the best building orientation that will result in the most comfortable conditions in the apartment. Such work requires an building energy simulation program. The publications “Building Energy Simulation and Optimization BESOO” and the related simulation programs created an opportunity for such work for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The BESOO programs allow input of the direction of the outside walls of the building. The program allows the selection of building orientation every 22.5 degrees. This results in 16 options of the optimization. The simulation and optimization show that for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv the best building orientation is ESS+SWW and the worst - WN+NE.