Monk Spaces conducted a building retrofit project for the Deki Electronics factory in Noida in collaboration with Ant Studio. This project focused on identifying improvement opportunities through a data-driven analysis of cooling loads and surface temperatures. This comprehensive approach aimed to reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality.

The process began with documenting the existing building, including plans, sections, location of openings, and building materials used. The building was modelled using Rhino. Iterative building energy simulations were performed using Ladybug and Honeybee tools to match the actual scenario. The potential benefits of a double skin on the factory were explored. Additionally, the solar generation potential of the rooftop was quantified.

The recommendations stemmed from the comprehensive analysis focused on improving the building’s performance. They aim to increase ventilation rates through a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) to ensure better indoor air quality. The analysis also recommended replacing windows with Fixed Double-Glazed Units (DGUs) to enhance thermal insulation. Additionally, it suggested installing insulated partitions with enhanced thermal insulation to help maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

The project effectively showcased that retrofit projects offer a sustainable alternative to demolition and rebuilding for modernization. The suggested measures would reduce the quantity of materials needed, further reducing the embodied carbon footprint. The factory’s thermal comfort and energy efficiency would be enhanced. This improvement also reduces the operational carbon footprint and running costs for the factory.