Developing a risk indicator to quantify robust building design

Many modern buildings are rated high under green building rating systems based on their predicted energy performance. However, the actual performance, in many cases, deviates from the prediction. The discrepancy is mainly due to difference between assumptions in the building design and actual operating conditions. It is, therefore, important not only to seek energy efficient building designs but also robust designs that perform consistently even under varying conditions. This paper proposes a design approach that incorporates a risk indicator into the existing energy performance evaluation process and demonstrates it with a case study for industrial halls in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.