afaconsult took part in the Beyond Compliance: From Energy Modelling to Whole-Building Performance webinar, contributing to the discussion on how environmental analysis and building simulation can support better-informed design decisions and improve building performance.

Representing afaconsult, Mechanical Engineer Rui Alves explored how climate, building use and operational requirements can shape HVAC design strategies, drawing on two projects developed in remarkably different environments: the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station and EDP Headquarters in Lisbon.

Different contexts, the same performance-led approach

From the extreme conditions of Antarctica to Lisbon’s temperate urban climate, the two case studies highlighted the importance of understanding the environmental context before defining a building’s systems.

At the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station, climate analysis and simulation with IESVE supported decisions around orientation, insulation, glazing, ventilation and renewable energy opportunities. HVAC solutions were tailored to the different requirements of sleeping quarters, social areas and laboratories. The resulting strategy contributed to a 55% reduction in thermal energy requirements and estimated annual diesel savings of 88,265 litres.

At EDP Headquarters in Lisbon, environmental analysis helped balance occupant comfort, daylight and energy efficiency. The strategy combined a centralised system with three 600 kW heat pumps, heat recovery and active chilled beams, while solar, daylight, wind and CFD studies informed decisions relating to the façade, shading, ventilation and thermal comfort.

Looking beyond compliance

Together, the two projects demonstrate a common principle: building performance results from understanding how climate, the building envelope, building use and engineering systems interact, rather than considering each element in isolation.

In both cases, simulation provided a way to assess these relationships and support design decisions with evidence.

The webinar provided an opportunity for afaconsult to share this experience and contribute to a wider discussion about moving beyond regulatory compliance towards a more integrated, performance-led approach to building design.