Good practice:

Decision making method

The decision-making method enables one to compare multiple design alternatives and select an optimal one based on trade off between visual comfort, thermal comfort, energy consumption, and life cycle cost. Any such trade-off design alternative (i) fulfills the national energy requirements, (ii) provides a comfortable indoor environment, and (iii) has relatively low life-cycle costs.

The decision-making method is the output of a doctoral research project with a total budget of 500 000 euro.

The decision making method was successfully tested and validated in a construction company in Sweden. However, the method only allows the analysis of the objective criteria for evaluating visual comfort, thermal comfort, energy consumption and life cycle cost. The evaluation of subjective criteria relies still on creativity of architects and designers when designing new buildings or renovating the existing ones.

The decision making method can be used in different geographical areas with various climate conditions. Its application can also be benefitial when constructing a new building or renovating an existing one.