Multi-objective optimization for environmental retrofits of elderly care buildings: A case study of Suzhou

With the increasing aging population, the environmental comfort of the elderly has garnered significant attention, raising societal expectations for eldercare buildings. However, there remains a lack of systematic research on effective environmental retrofits to improve the living quality of the elderly. This study aims to propose comprehensive renovation strategies for eldercare buildings, utilizing an interdisciplinary approach integrating architecture and evolutionary algorithms to enhance the environmental comfort of elderly residents. Initially, an elderly care building in Suzhou, named as the Gusu District Shuangta Street Jinfan Community Health Service center, has been selected, measured and parametrically modeled as the case study for this research. Subsequently, a plugin called Wallacei for Grasshopper, based on the NSGA-II algorithm, has been implemented to evaluate performance under multiple objectives. Ultimately, trade-off retrofit strategies among environmental comfort and energy consumption will be developed for the case building, offering tailored decision support for various elderly individuals and eldercare facilities. This study aims to provide a scientific basis and practical guidance for eldercare facility renovations, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for the elderly and promoting societal sustainability. Additionally, it serves as a model for interdisciplinary research, expanding research methodologies and application prospects in related fields.