Simulation-Based Assessment of Development Potential and Feasibility for Smart Buildings

Description

This project builds on the AI-supported feasibility study for the further development of a site in the greater Zurich area. It extends the previous approach to a larger scale and develops a more comprehensive methodological framework for simulating and assessing development scenarios across multiple buildings and sites.

The framework incorporates the site development plan model (Gestaltungsplan) and different interpretations of the new Building and Zoning Regulations (BZO). These are translated into transparent assumptions and simulation scenarios to compare their implications for potential building configurations, uses, densification opportunities and planning feasibility. Legal clarification of the respective interpretations remains part of the subsequent validation process.

The aim is to identify viable and sustainable development strategies, focusing on three interconnected areas:

Integrating the assessment of planning, energy, operational and economic requirements.
Development scenarios are evaluated in terms of their planning conditions, energy performance, future building operation requirements and investment potential. Capital and life-cycle costs, together with potential revenues and savings, are considered to assess the long-term viability of the alternatives.
Identifying synergies between buildings and sites.
The project examines the potential of shared energy systems, shared infrastructure and coordinated smart building management. This includes, for example, aligning different energy demand profiles, sharing generation and storage capacity, and developing operational strategies across buildings. Their benefits are assessed against solutions implemented at the individual building level.
Supporting robust decisions under uncertainty.
Scenario and sensitivity analyses reveal trade-offs and uncertainties, including those between development density, energy efficiency, operational quality and financial returns. Different interpretations of the BZO, alongside varying assumptions about costs, energy prices and uses, are systematically compared. This allows an assessment of which development options remain viable under changing conditions.

The outcome is a simulation and assessment framework that advances the approach developed in the preceding project, enabling the systematic generation, comparison and prioritisation of Smart Building Development (SBD) alternatives. It makes assumptions, dependencies and assessment criteria transparent, providing a sound basis for further planning, investment decisions and future building operations.