Buildings consume energy throughout their operational lifespan. The operational phase of a building’s life cycle plays a crucial role in energy consumption. The key features encompassed within a building’s infrastructure include heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and appliances [1]. According to empirical data, the energy consumption attributed to buildings and their associated activities throughout their life cycle accounts for over 40% of the total global energy demand [2]. Approximately 50% of the total energy consumption is allocated to heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems [3].

The energy consumption in question pertains to carbon dioxide emissions, which have exhibited an annual growth rate of 6.83% over the previous decade. The rate of growth of this phenomenon is increasing, as evidenced by the total emissions of 881 megatons (Mt CO₂) reported in 2018. In the realm of existing structures, mercantile edifices are presently the most widely employed buildings, as determined by their overall performance [4].

Hence, the imperative to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the utilization of fossil fuels to generate energy for pre-existing commercial structures has become a crucial matter of policy and design for governments globally [2]. Consequently, a considerable body of research, investment, technological advancements, and regulatory efforts are directed toward reducing energy consumption in HVAC systems through the implementation of sustainable building practices [3].

According to the definition provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (2012), green construction refers to the practice of designing and implementing environmentally responsible structures and processes while also ensuring the efficient utilization of resources throughout the entire life cycle. A Green Building (GB) can also be referred to as a High-Performance Building or a Sustainable Building. There are two distinct categories of GB design, namely new design (ND), which pertains to the construction of new buildings, and reinforcement design (RD), which focuses on enhancing the structural integrity of existing buildings [5]. Studies have demonstrated that the energy consumption of newly constructed buildings often exceeds the initial projections made during the design phase, despite the utilization of architectural elements such as Green Building practices. This disparity is frequently denoted as the “performance gap” [3].

A study conducted in 2013 [6] examined the annual energy consumption per unit area (square meter or square foot) of building infrastructure in a sample of 953 properties located in New York City. The researcher observed a lack of substantial energy conservation in LEED-certified buildings compared to non-LEED-certified buildings. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a widely recognized certification standard for environmentally friendly construction established by the US Green Building Council [6].

In a study conducted in 2014, a comprehensive analysis was carried out on 51 buildings that were previously classified as “high performance” in the United States, Europe, and Asia [7]. It is noteworthy that a considerable proportion, roughly 50%, of the structures examined failed to comply with the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 Energy Standards, as established by the American Society of Heating, Retrofitting, and Air Conditioning Engineers [8].

A separate study conducted in 2019 [9] examined the operational efficiency of green buildings, with a particular focus on China and the United States. A comprehensive review of the literature identified a total of 106 studies that included substantial quantitative data analysis. A comparison was conducted between the energy intensity of 121 high-performance certified buildings from the United States and 31 buildings from China. According to the study, there has been a marginal improvement in the overall performance of the building.

In conjunction with the considerable energy consumption exhibited by contemporary commercial buildings constructed in accordance with the Green Building Rules, as previously delineated, a more disconcerting reality pertains to the majority of commercial buildings in prominent urban centers worldwide, which were erected prior to the advent of energy efficiency measures and are currently 20 to 30 years old. The primary issue at hand pertains to the fact that the majority of these structures are anticipated to be in use until the year 2050. Hence, as a result of their elevated energy consumption, current commercial buildings exert added strain on the emission of carbon dioxide derived from fossil fuel sources [10].

Due to its perceived comparative advantages in terms of energy-saving potential, the construction sector occupies a prominent position in addressing global energy and environmental concerns, surpassing other sectors such as industry and transportation. The existing structure serves as the backbone of the construction sector, making it imperative to enhance its performance in order to ensure stability. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the energy efficiency and environmental impact of existing commercial buildings in industrialized nations [1].

The recognition of sustainable retrofit strategies as the sole acceptable approach to mitigating energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings is growing. According to the available data, sustainable retrofitting of commercial buildings has been found to result in a consistent reduction of approximately 75% [2]. One of the sustainable energy-efficient solutions is bioclimatic design [11], which emphasizes the various components of energy consumption in buildings. Hence, it is imperative to take into account the incorporation of design interventions rooted in standards of bioclimatic design when undertaking the retrofitting and sustainable operation of commercial buildings [2].

Bioclimatic architecture refers to the study of weather conditions in the field of architecture, with the aim of improving the well-being and comfort of building occupants. This is achieved through the implementation of passive energy processes, formal plan components, and heat transfer management technology [11].

Prior studies have proven valuable in elucidating the significance of bioclimatic architecture. In addition, they provide us with practical remedies for retrofitting commercial buildings. A study conducted in 2021 aimed to identify and prioritize the key factors involved in the selection of suitable repair and maintenance (R&M) procedures for commercial buildings (CB). This issue holds considerable significance for the construction industry, as well as the fields of architecture and engineering. The study encompasses a set of 16 measures that are categorized into five distinct areas. These areas consist of flexibility, technical skill, risks, maintenance costs, facilities, technology, and human resources. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) technique was employed to determine the relative importance of various criteria, and it was determined that the maintenance cost criterion is more relevant than other criteria [12]. In 2021, a study was conducted in Egypt that focused on a commercial building located in Giza, serving as a representative case study for an urban area with a significant population. In order to mitigate energy consumption, decrease CO₂ emissions, and attain ecological equilibrium, the researcher employed an alga in the retrofitting of the building facade as a means to enhance its outer layer.

According to the researcher’s findings, the utilization of algae in the building facade resulted in a notable decrease in electricity consumption, ranging from 45 to 50%, as well as a reduction in CO₂ emissions [13]. Research conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2021 examined the feasibility of retrofitting commercial buildings with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The study examines various retrofitting alternatives in relation to energy conservation and financial costs. Based on the findings, the implemented retrofitting techniques resulted in a reduction of a building’s energy consumption by 39%. The significance of enhancing indoor environmental quality has also been underscored, particularly in relation to aspects such as lighting, thermal comfort, the mitigation of pollutants, which encompasses PM10 (particulate matter), TSP (total suspended particulate), CO (Carbon Monoxide), SO₂ (Sulphur Dioxide), NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide), and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and noise management [1].

A 3D simulation study was conducted in 2017 using integrated environmental solutions software with the virtual environment. The findings of the study demonstrated the need of utilizing energy-efficient HVAC systems and techniques to reduce building energy consumption. The recommended strategies arising from the simulation analysis were as follows;

The year 2008 witnessed a notable paradigm shift in the international community’s attention toward the concept of sustainability. In accordance with the declaration made by the United Nations, the year 2008 was designated as the International Year of Planet Earth, with a primary focus on highlighting the imperative of sustainable development [15]. During this particular era, there was a notable surge in scholarly attention towards investigating energy efficiency and sustainability, encompassing the field of bioclimatic retrofitting [16].

The period from 2008 to 2022 was characterized by notable progress in the field of technology, particularly in the domain of bioclimatic retrofitting. This period witnessed the emergence and enhancement of various tools and methodologies pertaining to this field [16]. Hence, this particular timeframe holds significant importance in comprehending the development and influence of these technologies.

During this period, numerous countries implemented policy changes aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainability [17]. Gaining an understanding of the prevailing research trends during this specific period can yield valuable insights into the potential ramifications of these policies.

In the 1950s, Olgyay [18] identified bioclimatic concerns in architecture and, in the 1960s, established a design approach. This design process integrates building physics, climatology, and human physiology and has recently been considered a cornerstone for achieving more sustainable buildings and included within the building design professions in the framework of regionalism in architecture [2].

Vernacular architecture is the cornerstone of climatology construction [19]. Cruz et al. believe that this includes evaluating historical design in relation to the climate and culture of a place, as well as providing inactive alternatives to construction and architecture [20].

The interest in vernacular architecture has been prompted by instances when HVAC and lighting systems failed to solve cooling and lighting problems [20]. The technologies used are adapted to the bioclimatic conditions in the area, and the indigenous benefits are unique due to the location of the building. Thus, soil or wood is used as a building material in local architectural designs [19].

Vernacular structures take advantage of natural resources such as the sun and wind, and research has shown that they have superior thermal execution. As a result, vernacular architecture and bioclimatic architecture are inextricably linked [21].

Because low- and medium-scale buildings are simple to make climatically interactive, with the form and fabric of the building matched to human and climate elements to increase climate reaction, the research that led to the development of bioclimatic design regulations was mainly focused on these types of structures [2].

Large-scale buildings have largely been overlooked because of the complexity of the process, the dense urban fabric in which these structures are generally found, and the availability of inexpensive energy for cooling. Bioclimatic factors have been largely overlooked in design concepts for large-scale buildings, with a good internal environment being instead achieved by employing energetic mechanical systems to restore comfort. Most commercial buildings in major cities around the world were built before energy efficiency became a goal and are between 20 and 30 years old, and these buildings will be operational until 2050. Thus, bioclimatic retrofitting of existing commercial buildings to increase energy efficiency and the environment is important [2].

The bioclimatic retrofitting approach uses passive low-energy techniques that relate to and are borne by the site’s climate and meteorological conditions. The approach focuses on providing high-quality passive changes in buildings through a high-performance envelope, form, and fabric [21]. This results in a building that is climate-responsive and environmentally interactive with reduced energy consumption in operation and embodiment. A bioclimatic retrofitting approach gives a clear triple bottom line. The most convincing justification for the bioclimatic retrofitting for high-rise buildings is perhaps an economic one: the savings from lower consumption can be as much as 30–60% of the overall energy costs of the building [2].

A further justification is that bioclimatic retrofitting affords a more human experience of a commercial building. Bioclimatic retrofitting promotes better natural ventilation and awareness of place, resulting in healthier internal environments and increasing overall business productivity. A further and essential justification is the ecological rationale. By using passive devices to achieve thermal comfort, climatically retrofitted buildings have lower total carbon dioxide emissions, lowering overall air pollution, and help minimize global warming [2].