Dear Building Sim,
Can any of you recommend a precedent paper for us? In short, we want to compare two sets of optimal solutions in two different multi-objective optimizations, to determine whether the characteristics of the two sets are significantly different.

Longer version:
We set up a multi-objective analysis and found a set of optimal solutions (buildings whose simulation results lie on the pareto front). Then we did this again for slightly different objectives, i.e. different comfort criteria. We now have two sets of "optimal" buildings. They have different characteristics, like insulation levels and window-to-wall ratios. We want to determine if the differences between the two sets are significant. We have ideas of how to analyze this, but it would be great to see how others have done this in the past. This precedent research could be from any field using optimization, not just building science.

If you have any leads for us, we'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Holly

Holly W. Samuelson | DDes | Registered Architect
Associate Professor | Harvard Graduate School of Design
Co-Head MDes Energy and Environment Program