Developing a New Set of Prototypical Models for Office Buildings in California

Prototype models provide a basis for a variety of analysis, ranging from initial design evaluation to code development and measurement analysis. Office prototypes, in particular, have been widely used for developing codes and standards over the past decades, as offices buildings are numerous and consume a significant portion of energy in the commercial sector. Existing national and California-specific office prototypes have simplified core-perimeter zoning. This simplified zoning has been criticized for potentially misrepresenting internal loads, occupancy and consumption patterns, and HVAC interactions, such as improper turndown of flow rates and ventilation rates, which can reduce simulation accuracy. This study aims to address this gap by proposing a new set of office prototypes based on a comprehensive building stock assessment and collaboration with regulatory agencies in the state of California