SIMULATION-BASED DESIGN OF A SUSTAINABLE MULTI-PURPOSE ACADEMIC BUILDING IN THE PHILIPPINES: A CASE STUDY AT EVSU-LUNA CAMPUS

Abstract

This study presents the design and simulation of a three-storey, energy-sustainable multi-purpose academic building at Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)-Luna Campus, Ormoc City, Philippines. The research addresses the growing demand for climate-responsive and resource-efficient educational infrastructure in tropical environments. Using a design-based methodology, the building integrates passive cooling strategies, natural ventilation, daylight optimization, and renewable energy systems in compliance with the Philippine Green Building Code. Computational simulations were conducted to validate performance. Autodesk CFD 2026 was used to analyze thermal behavior and airflow dynamics, showing a reduction in indoor temperature of up to 6 °C compared to a typical school building with jalousie windows and no upper-level ventilation. Indoor air velocity increased significantly, improving thermal comfort through convective cooling. Revit-based solar analysis confirmed effective daylight penetration and shading performance, while HOMER Pro simulations demonstrated the feasibility of a hybrid solar PV-grid-battery system, achieving a 24% renewable fraction with a 5.5-year payback period. Structural safety and compliance with the National Structural Code of the Philippines were verified using STAAD.Pro and RCDC. The findings highlight the potential of simulation-driven design to enhance both environmental performance and occupant comfort in academic facilities located in tropical climates. Beyond providing a sustainable solution for EVSU-Luna Campus, this study contributes a replicable framework for integrating computational design, renewable energy modeling, and green building standards into future educational infrastructure projects in the Philippines and similar contexts.