The Influence of Building Form Compactness on Energy Efficiency in Accommodation Structures: The Case of Türkiye

Abstract

Based on the information found in the literature, which suggests that "more compact forms closer to squares are preferred in building designs in cold climate regions," this study investigates to what extent the existing theoretical knowledge of compactness is practically followed in the shaping of winter tourism accommodation structures and how the differences in building form based on regions affect the amount of energy consumption. Cold climate region structures were preferred because compactness is more comparable in terms of form and provides a constraining plane. In this study, 50 accommodation structures in different regions that are most preferred for winter tourism were evaluated based on compactness. The existing and compact projections of the selected structures were measured, and then these plan projections were superimposed to obtain compactness ratios. Additionally, the structures were 3D modeled in both the existing and compact forms, and the energy consumption amounts for both forms were measured using the “Energy Plus” energy simulation engine with the assistance of the "Ladybug" plugin, which operates in the Rhinoceros3D/Grasshopper3D environment. Furthermore, data such as the facade opening ratio, main facade direction, and number of floors were determined and compiled into a table. As a result, it was found that increasing the surface area significantly affects the compactness ratio in accommodation structures with relatively small floor areas. There is a linear relationship between the increase in floor area and the number of floors. It was determined that there is no specialized building form or main facade direction for any region. In regional evaluations, it was observed that the difference in projection is low in regions where the difference in energy consumption between the existing and compact forms is also low.