Optimized solutions for thermal and visual comfort in the design of a nearly zero-energy building

Alongside the importance of increasing the building energy performance, the indoor environmental quality has to be considered as a part of the total building performance. The research aims to reduce the imbalance between the visual and thermal domains through the optimization of different design parameters in compliance with the nZEB requirements. Different energy efficiency actions (different insulation materials, glazing solutions and control strategies of the solar shading devices) were applied on an existing office building. The analysis shows the possibility to design the refurbishment of an existing building into a nZEB while ensuring visual and thermal comfort.