openstudio-standards 0.8.4 → 0.8.5.rc1

data/lib/openstudio-standards/btap/NECB_building_types.csv

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+Activity,LiveLoad,Category,Includes,Excludes,Fallback
+arena,16,recreation,arena,,
+gym,16,recreation,gym,,
+exercise,23,commerce,exercise,,
+office,21,commerce,office,,
+retail,38,commerce,retail,,
+leisure,23,commerce,leisure/lounge/bar,fast/cafeteria/family,
+fastfood,23,commerce,fast/cafeteria,leisure/lounge/bar/family,
+restaurant,23,commerce,family/restaurant,leisure/lounge/bar/fast/cafeteria,
+hotel,21,lodging,hotel,,
+motel,21,lodging,motel,hotel,hotel
+dorm,14,housing,dorm,,
+residential,13,housing,multi/residential/apartment,health/care,
+care,13,housing,care,health/clinic/multi/residential,residential
+clinic,20,public,clinic,,
+hospital,20,public,hospital/healthcare/outpatient,clinic,
+religious,4,public,religious,,
+terminal,15,public,transportation/terminal,,
+theatre,10,public,perform/art/theatre,motion/picture/cineplex,
+cineplex,10,public,motion/picture/cineplex,perform/art,
+convention,6,public,convention,,
+museum,12,public,museum,,
+library,37,public,library,,
+school,14,public,school/university,,
+postal,37,public,post,,
+townhall,21,public,town,house,
+court,15,public,court,,
+precinct,17,public,precinct/police,,
+penitentiary,22,robust,penitentiary,,
+parking,41,robust,storage/garage/parking,automotive,
+warehouse,61,industry,warehouse,,
+workshop,38,industry,workshop,,
+manufacturing,58,industry,manufacturing,,
+automotive,37,industry,automotive,,
+firehouse,37,industry,fire,,

data/lib/openstudio-standards/btap/NECB_space_types.csv

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+Activity,Includes,Excludes,Fallback
+undefined::common,undefined,,
+washroom::common,washroom,,
+atrium::common,atrium,,
+concourse::retail,concourse,airport/terminal/transp,
+concourse::terminal,concourse,retail/mall,
+corridor::common,corr,manufacturing/hospital,corridor::common
+corridor::hospital,corr,manufacturing/common/other,corridor::common
+corridor::manufacturing,corr,hospital/common/other,corridor::common
+stairway::common,stair,,
+elevator::common,elevator/foyer,,
+lobby::common,lobby,otel/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre,lobby::common
+lobby::hotel,lobby,motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/common/other,lobby::common
+lobby::cineplex,lobby,otel/perform/art/common/other,lobby::common
+lobby::theatre,lobby,otel/motion/picture/cineplex/common/other,lobby::common
+restoration::museum,restoration,,
+exhibit::museum,exhibit,convention,
+exhibit::convention,exhibit,museum,
+baggage::terminal,baggage/carousel,,
+counter::terminal,counter,,
+seating::common,seating,airport/terminal/transp/audience,
+seating::terminal,seating,general/common/other/audience,
+refectory::religious,fellowship/refectory,,
+pulpit::religious,pulpit/choir,,
+chapel::religious,chapel,,
+audience::common,audience,auditorium/religious/penitentiary/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/convention/gym/arena,audience::common
+audience::religious,audience,auditorium/penitentiary/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/convention/gym/arena/common/other,audience::common
+audience::penitentiary,audience,auditorium/religious/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/convention/gym/arena/common/other,audience::common
+audience::cineplex,audience,auditorium/religious/penitentiary/perform/art/theatre/convention/gym/arena/common/other,audience::common
+audience::theatre,audience,auditorium/religious/penitentiary/motion/picture/cineplex/convention/gym/arena/common/other,audience::common
+audience::convention,audience,auditorium/religious/penitentiary/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/gym/arena/common/other,audience::common
+audience::gym,audience,auditorium/religious/penitentiary/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/convention/arena/common/other,audience::common
+audience::arena,audience,auditorium/religious/penitentiary/motion/picture/cineplex/perform/art/theatre/convention/gym/common/other,audience::common
+c1::arena,class 1/class I,,
+c2::arena,class 2/class II,,
+c3::arena,class 3/class III,,
+c4::arena,class 4/class IV,,
+octogon::arena,ring/octogon,manufacturing,
+exercise::gym,exercise,,
+court::gym,court,class 1/class 2/class 3/class 4/class I/class II/class III/class IV/courthouse/courtroom/chambers/tribunal,
+locker::common,locker,
+dressing::theatre,dress/fitt,retail,
+dressing::retail,dress/fitt,perform/art/theatre,
+sales::common,sales,retail,sales::common
+sales::retail,retail,dress/fitt/mall/concourse,sales::retail
+dining::common,dining,penitentiary/leisure/lounge/bar/cafeteria/fast/family/restaurant/otel/lodging,dining::common
+dining::penitentiary,dining,leisure/lounge/bar/cafeteria/fast/family/restaurant/otel/lodging/common/other,dining::common
+dining::leisure,dining,cafeteria/fast/family/restaurant/penitentiary/otel/lodging/common/other,dining::common
+dining::fastfood,dining,penitentiary/leisure/lounge/bar/family/restaurant/otel/lodging/common/other,dining::common
+dining::restaurant,dining,penitentiary/leisure/lounge/bar/cafeteria/fast/otel/lodging/common/other,dining::common
+dining::motel,dining,penitentiary/leisure/lounge/bar/cafeteria/fast/family/restaurant/hotel/common/other,dining::common
+dining::hotel,dining,penitentiaryleisure/lounge/bar/cafeteria/fast/family/restaurant/motel/lodging/common/other,dining::common
+cuisine::common,food/preparation,
+rooms::common,guest,otel,rooms::hotel
+rooms::motel,guest/otel,hotel,rooms::common
+rooms::hotel,guest/otel,motel/hway/lodging,rooms::common
+quarters::dorm,quarter,fire,
+quarters::firehouse,quarter,dorm,
+units::residential,unit,care,units::residential
+units::care,unit,residential,units::residential
+recreation::common,recreation,hospital/healthcare,
+meeting::common,conference/meeting/multi-purpose,,
+office::common,office/enclosed,bank/open,office::common
+openplan::common,open,enclosed/bank,office::common
+bank::common,bank,,
+copiers::common,copier/copy/print,,
+computer::common,computer,server,computer::common
+server::common,server,computer,computer::common
+sorting::postal,sorting,,
+chambers::court,chambers,,
+tribunal::court,tribunal/courtroom,,
+cell::common,cell,courthouse,cell::common
+cell::court,cell,confinement,cell::common
+classroom::common,classroom/lecture/training,penitentiary,classroom::common
+classroom::penitentiary,classroom,lecture/training,classroom::common
+reading::library,reading,,
+stacks::library,stacks,,
+catalog::library,catalog,,
+lab::common,lab,teaching,lab::common
+teachinglab::common,lab,research/industr/medical/common/other,lab::common
+storage::common,storage,suppl/garage,storage::common
+supplies::hospital,suppl,,
+exam::hospital,exam/treatment,,
+nursery::hospital,nursery,,
+nurses::hospital,nurses,,
+operating::hospital,operat,,
+patient::hospital,patient,,
+therapy::hospital,therapy,,
+imaging::hospital,radiology/imaging,,
+recovery::hospital,recovery,,
+laundry::common,laundry,hospital/healthcare,laundry::common
+laundry::hospital,laundry/washing,common,laundry::common
+lounge::common,lounge,hospital/healthcare,lounge::common
+lounge::hospital,lounge,common/other,lounge::common
+pharmacy::common,pharmacy,hospital/healthcare,pharmacy::common
+pharmacy::hospital,pharmacy,common/other,pharmacy::common
+emergency::common,emergency,hospital/healthcare,emergency::hospital
+emergency::hospital,emergency,vehicle/garage,emergency::common
+engineroom::firehouse,engine,,
+garage::parking,garage,,
+repair::automotive,repair,,
+dock::common,dock,,
+bulk::warehouse,bulk/pallet,fine,
+fine::warehouse,fine,undefined/medium/bulk/pallet,
+workshop::common,workshop,,
+bay::manufacturing,bay,,
+detailed::manufacturing,detailed,,
+equipment::manufacturing,equipment,,
+mechanical::common,electric/mechanic,,

data/lib/openstudio-standards/btap/activity.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,480 @@
+# **************************************************************************** /
+# *  Copyright (c) 2008-2025, Natural Resources Canada
+# *  All rights reserved.
+# *
+# *  This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+# *  modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+# *  License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+# *  version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+# *
+# *  This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+# *  Lesser General Public License for more details.
+# *
+# *  You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+# *  License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+# *  Foundation Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+# **************************************************************************** /
+
+require "csv"
+
+module BTAP
+  module ActivityData
+    ##
+    # @author: Denis Bourgeois
+    #
+    # BTAP module/class for general purpose 'activities' and building
+    # 'categories' - more abstract than NECB-specific building/space types.
+    #
+    # Consider the following: the NECB2011 designates as "Parking garage"
+    # (building type) what subsequent NECB editions refer to as "Storage garage".
+    # From the NECB2020 definitions:
+    #
+    #   'Storage garage' means a building or part thereof intended for the
+    #   storage or parking of motor vehicles and containing no provision for
+    #   the repair or servicing of such vehicles.
+    #
+    # This mismatch, and other related issues of a similar nature, make it
+    # challenging to cross-compare NECB editions, for instance. The 'exact' NECB
+    # labels shouldn't matter - they almost always reference the same
+    # building 'activity' (e.g. a facility where vehicles are parked/stored).
+    # BTAP should instead rely on abstract 'activity' designations, e.g.
+    # 'parking'. This requires module/class methods to extract specific keywords
+    # embedded in existing BTAP NECB building/space type datasets - see below.
+    #
+    # Once 'activity' assignments are completed (for spaces and building),
+    # building 'categories' are auto-assigned (e.g. "housing" vs "industry").
+    # For instance, multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), university/school
+    # dormitories and long-term care facilities are all grouped under "housing",
+    # which in turn sets building-wide 'structural' options, e.g. wood-framed
+    # (small-scale) vs reinforced concrete flat slab & post-beam (mid- & large-
+    # scale) "housing". See lib/openstudio-standards/btap/structure.rb.
+    @@data = {bldg: {}, space: {}}
+
+    # Hard setting path for both files (temporary @todo).
+    @@data[:bldg ][:file      ] = File.join(__dir__, "NECB_building_types.csv")
+    @@data[:space][:file      ] = File.join(__dir__, "NECB_space_types.csv")
+    @@data[:bldg ][:table     ] = nil
+    @@data[:space][:table     ] = nil
+    @@data[:bldg ][:activity  ] = {}
+    @@data[:space][:activity  ] = {}
+    @@data[:bldg ][:activities] = []
+    @@data[:bldg ][:categories] = []
+
+    # Parse building type data on file.
+    if File.exist?(@@data[:bldg][:file])
+      table = CSV.open(@@data[:bldg][:file], headers: true).read
+
+      # 35 unique entries (rows), 6 columns per row, e.g.:
+      #    COL1 COL2     COL3  COL4                             COL5        COL6
+      #  ______ ____ ________ _____ ________________________________ ___________
+      #  "care,  20, housing, care, health/clinic/multi/residential, residential"
+      #
+      #   COL1: BTAP building ACTIVITY e.g. "care"
+      #   COL2: non-occupant liveload  e.g. 20 kg/m2, ~1/12 of NBC min liveload
+      #   COL3: BTAP building CATEGORY e.g. "housing"
+      #   COL4: selected sub-string(s) e.g. "care", as in "Long-term care"
+      #   COL5: rejected sub-string(s) e.g. "health", "multi", "residential"
+      #   COL6: fallback (if missing)  e.g. "residential"
+      #
+      # Contrary to the aforementioned 'parking' case (where fortunately there
+      # is an obvious one-to-one match between "Parking garage" (NECB2011) and
+      # "Storage garage" (NECB2020)), there is no direct match here for a
+      # long-term care facility when using the NECB2011. In this case, the
+      # fallback 'activity' is 'residential' (COL6). So in any cross-comparison
+      # of long-term care facilities between NECB editions, the NECB2011 variant
+      # would be akin to a MURB.
+      #
+      # A "long-term care" facility (e.g. NECB2020 building type, currently
+      # found in BTAP datasets) would be identified as belonging to activity
+      # 'care' by catching the substring "care" (COL4) in any of the
+      # NECB building types (e.g. JSON, CSV, XLSX files). Yet the same substring
+      # "care" is found in both NECB building types:
+      #
+      #   - "Long-term care"
+      #   - "Health-care clinic"
+      #
+      # ... rejected substrings (COL5) prune out unwanted picks. By selecting
+      # COL4 substrings, then rejecting COL5 substrings, there should be a
+      # single selected row. See NECB unit test test_necb_activities.rb.
+      table.each do |row|
+        key = row[0]
+
+        @@data[:bldg][:activity][key]            = {}
+        @@data[:bldg][:activity][key][:liveload] = row[1].to_f
+        @@data[:bldg][:activity][key][:category] = row[2].to_s
+        @@data[:bldg][:activity][key][:includes] = row[3].to_s.split("/")
+        @@data[:bldg][:activity][key][:excludes] = row[4].to_s.split("/")
+        @@data[:bldg][:activity][key][:fallback] = row[5].to_s
+      end
+
+      # Keep CSV table. Ensure building activities & categories uniqueness. Add
+      # "common" building type, e.g. mixed use. Freeze.
+      @@data[:bldg][:table     ] = table
+      @@data[:bldg][:activities] = table.by_col[0].uniq
+      @@data[:bldg][:categories] = table.by_col[1].uniq
+      @@data[:bldg][:activities] << "common"
+      @@data[:bldg][:activities].freeze
+      @@data[:bldg][:categories].freeze
+    else
+      # raise?
+    end
+
+    # Parse space data on file.
+    if File.exist?(@@data[:space][:file])
+      table = CSV.open(@@data[:space][:file], headers: true).read
+
+      # 108 unique rows, 4 columns per row, e.g.:
+      #                   COL1     COL2         COL3                COL4
+      #  _____________________ ________ ____________ ___________________
+      #          "units::care,    unit, residential, units::residential"
+      #  "exhibit::convention, exhibit,      museum,                   "
+      #
+      #   COL1: BTAP space ACTIVITY    e.g. "units::care"
+      #   COL2: selected sub-string(s) e.g. "unit"
+      #   COL3: rejected sub-string    e.g. "residential"
+      #   COL4: fallback (if missing)  e.g. "units::residential"
+      #
+      # First, BTAP space 'activity' entries are namespaced, e.g.:
+      #   - "units": 1-word descriptor on the nature of the space 'activity'
+      #   - "care": references a building 'activity', see @@data[:bldg]
+      #
+      # There are 2 entries for BTAP space activity "units":
+      #   - "units::residential"
+      #   - "units::care"
+      #
+      # The entries designate either typical residential dwelling 'units' or
+      # long-term care dwelling 'units'. Both are expected to offer individual
+      # bathroom and cooking facilities. This differs from:
+      #   - "quarters::dorm"
+      #   - "quarters::firehouse"
+      #
+      # ... which typically offer shared sleeping/bathroom/cooking facilities.
+      # Both "units" and "quarters" differ from:
+      #  - "rooms::motel"
+      #  - "rooms::hotel"
+      #  - "rooms::common"
+      #
+      # ... which designate short-term, rental lodgings. All three activities
+      # share many features (e.g. sleeping, showers), yet each remains specific
+      # to an NECB space type entry (as required).
+      table.each do |row|
+        key = row[0]
+        str = key.split("::")
+
+        activity = str[0].to_s
+        bldgtype = str[1].to_s
+
+        @@data[:space][:activity][key]            = {}
+        @@data[:space][:activity][key][:activity] = activity
+        @@data[:space][:activity][key][:bldgtype] = bldgtype
+        @@data[:space][:activity][key][:includes] = row[1].to_s.split("/")
+        @@data[:space][:activity][key][:excludes] = row[2].to_s.split("/")
+        @@data[:space][:activity][key][:fallback] = row[3].to_s
+      end
+
+      @@data[:space][:table] = table
+    else
+      # raise?
+    end
+
+    ##
+    # Returns BTAP Activity data.
+    #
+    # @return [Hash] BTAP Activity data
+    def data
+      @@data
+    end
+
+    def self.extended(base)
+      base.send(:include, self)
+    end
+  end
+
+  class BTAP::Activity
+    extend ActivityData
+
+    # @return [String] assigned or inferred building ACTIVITY (e.g. "warehouse")
+    attr_reader :activity
+
+    # @return [Hash] collection of space ACTIVITIES (e.g. "bulk::warehouse")
+    attr_reader :activities
+
+    # @return [String] building type CATEGORY (e.g. "industry")
+    attr_reader :category
+
+    # @return [Float] expected non-occupant liveload (e.g. 90 kg/m2)
+    attr_reader :liveload
+
+    # @return [Hash] logged messages
+    attr_reader :feedback
+
+
+    ##
+    # Initialize BTAP Activity parameters.
+    #
+    # @param model [OpenStudio::Model::Model] a model
+    def initialize(model = nil)
+      mth         = "BTAP::Activity::#{__callee__}"
+      @feedback   = {logs: []}
+      lgs         = @feedback[:logs]
+      @activity   = ""
+      @activities = {}
+      @category   = ""
+
+      unless model.is_a?(OpenStudio::Model::Model)
+        lgs << "Invalid or empty OpenStudio model (#{mth})"
+        return
+      end
+
+      # Tag spaces as un/conditioned with "space_conditioning_category". For
+      # now, this is simply determined based on whether spaces are:
+      #   - part of the total floor area (i.e. occupied)
+      #   - have "attic" included in their identifiers (i.e. unconditioned)
+      #
+      # As per ASHRE 90.1, OpenStudio-Standards distinguishes between:
+      #   - "nonresconditioned" vs
+      #   - "resconditioned"
+      #
+      # Sticking to "nonresconditioned" - NECBs do not distinguish between "res"
+      # vs "non-res" (for e.g. envelope), as opposed to ASHRAE 90.1.
+      #
+      # The solution could be further refined in future BTAP versions by e.g.:
+      #   - relying on user-defined thermostats
+      #   - expanded to cover semi-heated and refrigerated spaces
+      tag = "space_conditioning_category"
+
+      model.getSpaces.each do |space|
+        next unless space.additionalProperties.getFeatureAsString(tag).empty?
+
+        if space.partofTotalFloorArea
+          space.additionalProperties.setFeature(tag, "nonresconditioned")
+        else
+          if space.nameString.downcase.include?("attic")
+            space.additionalProperties.setFeature(tag, "unconditioned")
+          else # treat all other cases as indirectly-conditioned e.g. plenums
+            space.additionalProperties.setFeature(tag, "nonresconditioned")
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      # Determine activities of occupied spaces in the model, then building.
+      @activities = self.getSpaceActivities(model)
+      @activity   = self.getBuildingActivity(model)
+      @liveload   = data[:bldg][:activity][@activity][:liveload]
+
+      # Assign building category.
+      unless @activity.empty?
+        @category = data[:bldg][:activity][@activity][:category]
+      end
+
+      true
+    end
+
+    ##
+    # Gather activities of occupied spaces in a model.
+    #
+    # @param model [OpenStudio::Model::Model] a model
+    #
+    # @return [Hash] a collection of space activities (see logs if empty)
+    def getSpaceActivities(model = nil)
+      mth = "BTAP::Activity::#{__callee__}"
+      cl  = OpenStudio::Model::Model
+      return mismatch("model", model, cl, mth, DBG, {}) unless model.is_a?(cl)
+
+      activities = {}
+
+      model.getSpaces.each do |space|
+        next unless space.partofTotalFloorArea
+
+        # Defaulted values (if missing or invalid entries).
+        spacetype  = nil
+        standards  = ""
+        activity   = ""
+        bldgtype   = ""
+        fallbacks  = []
+        candidates = []
+
+        # Recover user-set space types?
+        unless space.spaceType.empty?
+          spacetype = space.spaceType.get
+          stdstype  = spacetype.standardsSpaceType
+          standards = stdstype.get.downcase unless stdstype.empty?
+        end
+
+        # Fetch matching BTAP data, if keywords included.
+        data[:space][:activity].each do |k, v|
+          v[:includes].each do |kword|
+            candidates << k if standards.include?(kword)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Keep track of fallbacks, if applicable.
+        candidates.each do |candidate|
+          fallback = data[:space][:activity][candidate][:fallback]
+          fallbacks << fallback unless fallback.empty?
+        end
+
+        # Reject if matching excluded keywords.
+        data[:space][:activity].each do |k, v|
+          v[:excludes].each do |kword|
+            candidates.delete(k) if standards.include?(kword)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Fallbacks?
+        if candidates.empty?
+          candidate = ""
+
+          fallbacks.each do |fallback|
+            break unless candidate.empty?
+
+            candidate = fallback if data[:space][:activity].key?(fallback)
+          end
+
+          candidate = data[:space][:activity].keys.first if candidate.empty?
+        else
+          candidate = candidates.first
+        end
+
+        entry             = {}
+        entry[:m2       ] = space.floorArea
+        entry[:spacetype] = spacetype
+        entry[:standards] = standards
+        entry[:activity ] = data[:space][:activity][candidate][:activity]
+        entry[:bldgtype ] = data[:space][:activity][candidate][:bldgtype]
+
+        activities[space] = entry
+      end
+
+      activities
+    end
+
+    ##
+    # Determines general building activity, either set by user or inferred.
+    #
+    # @param model OpenStudio::Model::Model] a model
+    #
+    # @return [String] keyword describing a model's general activity
+    def getBuildingActivity(model = nil)
+      mth = "BTAP::Activity::#{__callee__}"
+      cl  = OpenStudio::Model::Model
+      return mismatch("model", model, cl, mth, DBG, "") unless model.is_a?(cl)
+
+      # OPTION A: Extract building activity from user-set 'additionalProperty'.
+      tag      = "btap_building_activity"
+      bldg     = model.getBuilding
+      activity = bldg.additionalProperties.getFeatureAsString(tag)
+
+      if activity.empty?
+        activity = ""
+      else
+        activity = activity.get.downcase
+        return activity if data[:bldg][:activities].include?(activity)
+      end
+
+      # OPTION B: Extract building activity from user-set 'building type'.
+      bldgtype = model.getBuilding.standardsBuildingType
+
+      unless bldgtype.empty?
+        bldgtype   = bldgtype.get.downcase
+        candidates = []
+        fallbacks  = []
+
+        # Fetch matching BTAP data, if keywords included.
+        data[:bldg][:activity].each do |k, v|
+          v[:includes].each do |kword|
+            candidates << k if bldgtype.include?(kword)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Keep track of fallbacks, if applicable.
+        candidates.each do |candidate|
+          fallback = data[:bldg][:activity][candidate][:fallback]
+          fallbacks << fallback unless fallback.empty?
+        end
+
+        # Reject if matching excluded keywords.
+        data[:bldg][:activity].each do |k, v|
+          v[:excludes].each do |kword|
+            candidates.delete(k) if bldgtype.include?(kword)
+          end
+        end
+
+        # Fallbacks?
+        if candidates.empty?
+          fallbacks.each do |fallback|
+            return fallback if data[:bldg][:activity].key?(fallback)
+          end
+        else
+          return candidates.first
+        end
+      end
+
+      # OPTION C: Infer building activity from distribution of spacetypes.
+      bldgtypes = {}
+
+      @activities.values.each do |v|
+        next unless v.key?(:m2)
+        next unless v.key?(:bldgtype)
+
+        bldgtypes[v[:bldgtype]]  = 0 unless bldgtypes.include?(v[:bldgtype])
+        bldgtypes[v[:bldgtype]] += v[:m2]
+      end
+
+      activity = bldgtypes.sort.reverse.to_h.keys.first unless bldgtypes.empty?
+      # Many NECB space types are listed as "common". Examples include spaces
+      # that are educational in nature (e.g. "classroom", "teachinglabs") and
+      # typical office spaces (e.g. "openplan", "office"). This is odd, as NECBs
+      # list "school/university" and "office" as admissible building types.
+      # Inferring an overall building type/activity (e.g. "school"), based on
+      # the prevalence of space types (e.g. "classrooms") in a model, becomes
+      # unnecessarily challenging. A fallback solution is needed when
+      # predominant space types end up as "common" for a given model.
+      #
+      # One odd exception is 'audience' seating for an "auditorium", which is
+      # found in all NECB editions. All listed 'audience' seating space types
+      # are linked to a listed building type, e.g.:
+      #   - "religious building"
+      #   - "sports arena"
+      #   - "motion picture theatre"
+      #
+      # ... except for "auditorium". No NECB edition holds an "auditorium"
+      # building type entry. For the moment, "auditorium" will be associated
+      # with the ubiquitous high-school or college auditorium.
+      if activity == "common"
+        activities = {}
+
+        @activities.values.each do |v|
+          next unless v.key?(:m2)
+          next unless v.key?(:activity)
+
+          activities[v[:activity]]  = 0 unless activities.key?(v[:activity])
+          activities[v[:activity]] += v[:m2]
+        end
+
+        activity = case activities.sort.reverse.to_h.keys.first
+                   when "audience"    then "school"
+                   when "sales"       then "retail"
+                   when "dining"      then "restaurant"
+                   when "cuisine"     then "restaurant"
+                   when "rooms"       then "hotel"
+                   when "recreation"  then "exercise"
+                   when "cell"        then "penitentiary"
+                   when "classroom"   then "school"
+                   when "teachinglab" then "school"
+                   when "storage"     then "warehouse"
+                   when "laundry"     then "retail"
+                   when "lounge"      then "leisure"
+                   when "pharmacy"    then "retail"
+                   else                    "office"
+                   end
+      end
+
+      activity = "office" if activity.empty?
+
+      activity
+    end
+  end
+end