BALANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HUMAN COMFORT: DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION AND COOLING APPLICATIONS IN SINGAPOREAN BUILDINGS

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the implementation and effectiveness of displacement ventilation (DV) and cooling strategies in Singaporean buildings, focusing on two case studies: The Hive at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) ("The Hive") and the Academic Tower at BCA Academy ("Academic Tower"). The study explores key aspects including energy efficiency, thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), occupant satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. Through a combination of methods, the research elucidates the performance and impacts of DV systems in tropical climates, mainly focusing on Singapore. Findings reveal that DV systems contribute to significant improvements in energy efficiency, with reductions in energy consumption for cooling purposes observed in both case studies. Moreover, occupants report favourable thermal comfort conditions and high levels of satisfaction with indoor environmental quality (IEQ) facilitated by DV. The study highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, user empowerment, and green building principles in optimising the performance and acceptance of DV systems. The dissertation underscores practical implications for building stakeholders, including opportunities for system optimisation, stakeholder engagement, and integration of green building strategies. Furthermore, it identifies future research directions such as advanced modelling techniques, long- term monitoring studies, and interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance our understanding of DV technologies and their implications for sustainable building design and environmental management. Overall, the dissertation contributes interesting and prized insights into the application and strength of DV systems in Singaporean buildings, informing best practices, decision-making processes, and future research endeavours in the field of sustainable building design and environmental sustainability.