Wahhaj Ahmed
Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Architectural Engineering
Biography
Wahhaj Ahmed is a PhD Candidate in Architectural Engineering at the Melbourne School of Design. His work is driven by the belief that existing buildings have a major role to play in mitigating climate change, and that better outcomes require practical solutions. His research interests are in the areas of energy retrofitting, information management, and analysis and decision making. His research has led to several publications in building energy retrofitting. Wahhaj holds a BSc in Architecture and an MSc in Architectural Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, where he also worked as a lecturer teaching architectural design studios and BIM-related courses.
Thesis
An Information Management Framework for Decision-making in Energy Retrofitting
Existing buildings must be energy retrofitted if the building sector is to meet future climate targets. Energy retrofitting means to upgrade a buildings component using Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). It is vital to analyse and consider the energy, environmental, and economic trade-offs while deciding which EEMs to apply in energy retrofitting. However, the conventional process adopted by decision makers in selecting the EEMs does not allow for the considerations of these trade-offs. The process must shift to a more structured data-driven method, such as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) that analyses the trade-offs between energy, environment, and the economy for the EEMs.
While digital tools, including Building Information Modelling (BIM)-based environments, have been proposed as enablers of more systematic decision making, a critical systematic review undertaken in this study shows that the core limitation lies in the absence of a structured information management approach that supports the coordination of the energy, environmental, and economic information required for MCDM. This research addresses that gap by applying information management principles to establish an Energy Retrofitting Information Management (ERIM) framework.
A pragmatic stance and a Delphi approach was adopted with an expert panel of 20 practitioners consisting of asset managers, ESD consultants, design specialists, façade specialist, HVAC engineer and quantity surveyors. The chosen panel had an average experience of 20 years and were from highly reputable construction firms in Melbourne, Australia. The developed ERIM framework defines what information is needed, who provides it, when it is required, and how it all come together as a process to support energy analysis, WLCCA, and LCA and ultimately MCDM. By clarifying these information requirements and aligning them with a staged process for decision making, the ERIM framework enables MCDM in the industry, ultimately supporting more robust and optimal decision-making in energy retrofitting.