FARM WINERIES DESIGN: PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS FOR INTEGRATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDING MODELING

Small and medium sized wine-growing and producing farms call for a specific approach to building design, since criteria already available for industrial wineries are not suited to such production sector. This study aims to assess the effects of various building design solutions on the energy performances of farm wineries, and to estimate relevant differences in construction costs. The following design variables have been considered: plan-elevation composition, sun-shading surfaces, construction technologies. In particular, the following building design solutions have been analysed and compared through computer 3D modelling energy simulation and finite element structural analysis: an aboveground building, a partially underground building, and a partially underground building with sun-shading elements. Results are given in terms of variation of the mean indoor temperature throughout the year, amount of energy to be transferred to maintain pre-defined temperatures in areas provided with thermal control systems, and differences in construction costs. This study represents a first contribution to the definition of design criteria for the energy-efficiency oriented optimization of the building process. The proposed design solutions, though entailing quantifiable construction cost increases, allow wine farms to reduce operative costs related to energy consumption, with positive effects also on their public image, due to the ever growing people's concerns about environmental problems.