Thermal Active Surfaces as Drivers of Passive Cooling Strategies
A Study of Public Office Buildings in Mexico City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52825/isec.v2i.3339Keywords:
Thermal Surfaces, Passive Cooling Strategies, Energy & Comfort PerformanceAbstract
Rising temperatures and increasing reliance on mechanical cooling are intensifying energy demand in office buildings across Mexico City. Addressing this challenge requires retrofit approaches that prioritize passive cooling strategies while considering the thermal behavior of architectural surfaces. This study builds upon a previously developed Emergy-based framework for evaluating passive retrofit interventions in public office buildings for the same author [1]. While earlier work introduced the overall framework and archetype classification, the present paper focuses on defining a design variable matrix and analyzing simulation results across representative building archetypes.
The research analyzes a dataset of public office buildings in Mexico City from which four archetypes were defined according to construction period, morphology, and envelope characteristics. Within this context, thermally active surfaces—such as façades, roofs, glazing systems, and exposed slabs—are considered key architectural elements that can drive passive cooling strategies to optimize the trade-offs between cooling energy consumption and comfort.
A parametric simulation approach was used to evaluate multiple retrofit configurations across a matrix of design-variable options. These variables include solar shading systems, envelope improvements, natural ventilation strategies, and radiant systems, all of which are directly related to the thermal behavior of building surfaces.
Simulation results are assessed using two performance indicators: cooling energy demand and thermal discomfort hours based on ASHRAE 55 90% acceptability criteria. Performance is compared under current climate conditions (2025) and projected future scenarios (2050). Scatter plot analysis and Pareto front identification are used to visualize trade-offs between energy demand and indoor comfort across the four archetypes.
The results highlight the critical role of architectural surfaces in passive cooling strategies and demonstrate how surface-based interventions can improve building performance while supporting climate-robust retrofit pathways for Mexico City’s public office building stock.
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