TY - JOUR TI - Optimization analysis of residential space in cold region based on building performance simulation AU - Qin Yunpeng AU - Li Shifen AU - Kuang Yuan JN - Thermal Science PY - 2023 VL - 27 IS - 5 SP - 4333 EP - 4344 PT - Article AB - Purpose-Rural residential buildings in China’s cold areas still have large room for improvement in lighting, energy saving and other aspects due to their own development lag. Design/methodology/approach-Taking Zhaoyuan County residential buildings as an example, the spatial elements of residential buildings are quantified, and the variation intervals of each spatial element are determined based on this. Then the standard model of residential buildings is constructed, and the changing trend and related mechanism of heating energy consumption and natural lighting under the change of residential space elements are discussed. Findings-The results show that: in terms of heating energy saving, there is an obvious optimal solution between the window wall ratio of the south facade and the orientation of residential buildings; in indoor natural lighting, all spatial elements show positive and negative correlation without considering glare; building depth, eave height and plane girth area ratio are the key variables affecting heating energy consumption. Window to floor ratio, building eave height, building depth, and plane aspect ratio are the key variables that affect indoor lighting. The research results can provide reference for the energy-saving construction of residential buildings in cold areas.