In office buildings, an efficient design of windows and using light shelves as a passive design strategy significantly influence the thermal and visual comfort of occupants while enhancing the productivity and health of users. This study proposes a multi-objective optimization for the optimal design of windows and light shelves in office buildings to improve occupants' comfort. Initially, a parametric model was developed using Grasshopper parametric software. Afterward, the Honeybee energy and daylight plugin was employed for simulating thermal and visual conditions, and finally, multi-objective optimization was conducted with the Octopus plugin. This plugin can determine the best solution as a compromise decision for maximizing occupants' comfort. In this paper, an office building in Tehran has been chosen as a case study. The decision variables are window-to-wall ratio (WWR), shading control strategy, viewpoint, the transmission of glass, light shelf length, and light shelf height. The objective functions of the study are the annual average Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) and the annual average Discomfort Glare Probability (DGP). According to the results, the proposed optimization model leads to an 18.5–70.1% and 9.3–57.1% reduction in DGP and PPD indexes, respectively. The study findings provide practical and useful instruction for architects to select optimal specifications of windows and light shelves to develop occupants' thermal and visual comfort in office buildings.

The number of desk workers who frequently conduct their jobs at home has increased dramatically during Covid-19. Work-from-home flexibility makes it attractive for workers and companies, resulting in a “Work-Style Reform” after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the quick conversion of home spaces into workplaces cannot always sufficiently respond to users’ visual comfort and daylight performance needs which are primary contributors to occupant well-being and productivity. Therefore, this study adopts a mixed-methodology method that integrates parametric thinking, biomimetic, conceptual design, kinetic strategy and the DIVA approach to develop a real-time parametric-generative circular design for multi-objective adaptability that optimizes visual comfort and electric lighting energy efficiency for multiple occupants simultaneously. Parametric simulations of 1458 different options (five different runs per case: a total of 7290) were conducted to assess how the louvers perform regarding daylight, glare, and electric energy usage. Implementing an interactive kinetic louver greatly improved daylight performance in all orientations while simultaneously avoiding visual discomfort for multiple occupants. Furthermore, the use of this façade modification resulted in a substantial decrease in electrical lighting energy consumption, reducing the values from 14.22 to 0.2 kWh/m2/year, 8.1 to 0.18 kWh/m2/year, and 12.88 to 0.18 kWh/m2/year for South, East, and West orientations, respectively. Integrating users' lighting level preferences and the dynamic transitory sensitive area on the façade considerably reduces electric lighting consumption by around 99% compared to the ASHRAE 90.1 standard's lighting profile.

Urban heat islands (UHIs) increase urban warming and reduce outdoor thermal comfort due to changing surface characteristics and climate change. This study investigates the role of green walls (GWs) in mitigating UHI, improving outdoor thermal comfort, and reducing carbon emissions under current and future (2050) scenarios. Focusing on Via della Consolata, Turin, Italy, the study combines remote sensing for UHI detection and numerical simulations for thermal analysis during seasonal extremes. The results show that GWs slightly reduce air temperatures, with a maximum decrease of 1.6 °C in winter (2050), and have cooling effects on mean radiant temperature (up to 2.27 °C) during peak summer solar radiation. GWs also improve outdoor comfort, reducing the Universal Thermal Climate Index by 0.55 °C in the summer of 2050. The energy analysis shows that summer carbon emission intensity is reduced by 31%, despite winter heating demand increasing emissions by 45%. The study highlights the potential of GWs in urban climate adaptation, particularly in dense urban environments with low sky view factors. Seasonal optimization is crucial to balance cooling and heating energy demand. As cities face rising temperatures and heat waves, the integration of GWs offers a sustainable strategy to improve microclimate, reduce carbon emissions, and mitigate the effects of UHI.

This study explores the role of wind in shaping traditional Iranian architecture across three distinct climatic zones: cold mountainous (Hajij), hot desert (Yazd), and humid coastal (Rasht) with a focus on passive cooling and natural ventilation techniques. By examining the effects of wind on urban layouts, building orientation, and material selection, the research highlights architectural features such as windcatchers, courtyards, and insulation techniques that enhance thermal comfort across diverse environments. The study employs a comparative approach, analysing architectural adaptations like compact layouts and windbreaks in mountainous regions, and windcatchers and open courtyards in desert areas, illustrating how vernacular architecture aligns with each climate’s challenges. Using a combination of EnergyPlus simulations, field observations, and quantitative climate data, this research validates the efficiency of these traditional methods in moderating indoor temperatures, reducing energy demands, and providing sustainable comfort solutions. Comparative tables demonstrate the architectural adaptations across Rasht, Yazd, and Hajij, with metrics on urban density, building orientation, and material thermal properties. The findings underscore the enduring relevance of these ancient strategies in modern sustainable design, offering valuable insights for energy efficient, climate-responsive urban planning that minimises reliance on mechanical systems. By re-evaluating these indigenous cooling strategies, the study advocates for an integrated approach that merges local knowledge with modern sustainability practices, fostering resilience in architectural design for varied climatic contexts.