Optimizing energy efficiency through building orientation and building information modelling (BIM) in diverse terrains: A case study in Pakistan

Building orientation plays a key role in enhancing the built environment's energy efficiency through the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and energy simulation. Due to their significant global energy consumption, buildings are the focus of energy optimization efforts. This study explores how building orientation, when combined with modern methods like BIM and energy modelling, affects energy usage and savings throughout Pakistan's numerous geographic terrains. The methodology is quantitative, beginning with an extensive review of literature on energy analysis, BIM applications, and urban building energy modelling. Autodesk Insight 360 is employed for energy simulations, which enables the precise prediction of energy consumption by considering various factors such as building orientation, window-to-wall ratios, shading, wall and roof construction, infiltration rates, lighting efficiency, occupancy controls, plug load efficiency, and HVAC systems. Energy simulation of the data indicates that optimizing building orientation alone can result in an average energy savings of 18 %, while combining orientation optimization with improvements in window arrangements and construction materials can achieve savings of up to 30 % over 30 years. The energy simulation results were validated through case study representing typical terrains and building types (commercial and residential), with simulated energy expenditures showing a high correlation (R2 = 0.92) with actual utility bills, adjusted for local energy rates. The findings of this study highlight substantial financial benefits, with potential annual savings ranging from $2500 to $4000 for residential buildings and $10,000 to $15,000 for commercial buildings, depending on building size and location. These results suggest broader applicability to diverse geographical areas and building types in future research. This research contributes significantly to energy-efficient building practices, paving the way for sustainable construction and reduced environmental impact across the varied landscapes of Pakistan.