Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

This paper discusses how sustainable improvement could be done to existing buildings with suggestions that lead to a more sustainable future. An environmental assessment was conducted for a four-floor office building situated in Al-Wakalat Street, Amman, Jordan. The street faced challenges with restricted sales movements and engagement that led to the closure of retail shops for the building in the ground floor with only open offices left on the upper floor. The assessment includes a comprehensive evaluation of its environmental impact and sustainable practices. The main focus of this assessment was for a specific POE (Post-Occupancy Evaluation) questionnaire with regard to the LEED certification criteria to assess the building’s adherence to environmentally friendly standards. Using the software Revit for predictive modeling, a conceptual simulation of the building was done to analyze the building’s performance. This simulation helped in identifying key areas for improvement to develop the building’s overall efficiency and sustainability. The assessment included various aspects, including site conditions and transportation, energy consumption, waste management, water usage, and IEQ. The site and the surroundings in this case also affected the overall sustainability of the building with the lack of sales movement, transportation accessibility, and parking. Recommendations developed from this assessment are set to improvise the building’s operational capabilities, suggesting practices that increase the engagement with the building including thermal comfort and accessibility. This report serves as a crucial step for implementing sustainable practices, leading the office building towards a positive change for opening its doors again for retail businesses.