Basis for building simulations
In collaboration with the pilot project A.15 'Up-to-date climate data for building designers', part of the 'Adaptation to climate change' pilot programme, the newly created basic data were iteratively tested using building simulations. This collaboration resulted in key recommendations for building designers on how to use the data correctly. The test simulations also provide initial insights into thermal comfort for various building types. The climate data can be used in different ways in building simulations, depending on whether the objective is to verify summer heat protection, to determine energy requirements or to design building services.
The test simulations yielded fundamental insights into future energy requirements and expected thermal comfort in the various building categories – residential, administrative and schools – at different locations. Significant regional differences also emerged from the results, for example for buildings on the Swiss Plateau, south of the Alps, at elevated Alpine locations or in urban or rural areas. These may well lead to divergent strategies in building design.
Key contribution to climate change adaptation
By using these datasets, building designers will contribute significantly to reducing future impairments of user comfort and performance and to ensuring the optimal design of buildings' technical services. The new Switzerland-wide data supplement the existing data from the technical specification SIA 2028:2010, ensuring that buildings constructed today are also fit for the climate of tomorrow.