Energy Performance Characteristics of Administrative Welfare Centers According to the Planning of Architectural Void Spaces

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the building energy performance of administrative welfare centers according to the planning of architectural void spaces and to suggest energy-efficient void space strategies applicable in the early design stage. Method: Based on 37 award-winning administrative welfare center cases announced from 2016 to 2024, the layout and sectional types of architectural void spaces were classified. Two prototype models with gross floor areas of 3,000m² and 6,000m² were developed as simplified square masses and implemented through a Grasshopper-based parametric model. Energy simulations were conducted using Ladybug Tools and EnergyPlus under controlled conditions including Seoul climate, envelope performance, window-to-wall ratio, and operational schedules. A total of 73 void space combinations were compared. Result: Energy demand varied with the location and openness of void spaces. The total energy demand ranged from 109.19 to 119.09kWh/m² in the 3,000m² model and from 96.31 to 104.03kWh/m² in the 6,000m² model. Centrally located and highly open voids showed higher demand, while side or corner voids with less exposed envelope area showed lower demand. The results indicate that void space configuration is a significant design variable affecting building energy performance.