A multi-objective window placement approach using BIM and surrogate model

Conventional expertise-based approaches yield less-than-optimal window placement schemes (WPSs). The simulation-based window placement approaches (e.g., EnergyPlus) also suffer from being time-consuming. This study newly proposes a multi-objective window placement approach that can optimize WPSs under multiple objectives with high efficiency. It includes (i) transforming WPS-related building information from BIM's IFC to EnergyPlus's IDF, (ii) developing a surrogate model for WPS performance assessment, and (iii) optimizing WPSs under multiple objectives. The proposed approach is demonstrated using a dormitory building in Beijing, showcasing its ability to rapidly derive Pareto frontiers of optimized WPSs assuming different objective weightings. Compared to expertise-based methods, it shows a 30.66% and 16.47% performance enhancement for flexible-sized and fixed-sized window placements. Compared to simulation-based methods, it reduces time consumption by 98.10% while maintaining 94.3% accuracy in the case study. This study provides a well-performing and highly efficient window placement approach, making large-scale WPS optimizations feasible for designers.