1,720,981 research outputs found
Lighting Design for Exhibition Spaces
No full textThis investigation establishes how the architecture of an exhibition space affects the quality and quantity of natural and artificial lighting reaching its exhibits. These in turn affect people's visual performance and total perception of the exhibition space.
The architecture of the space in this case refers to: Its space geometry; characteristic qualities of its surfaces and adjacent surfaces: reflectance, absorbance and transmittance; its fenestrations: size position and orientation. Quantity refers to amounts of light and quality refers to its formgiving effects on objects, colour revealing effects on surfaces, and whether it creates variety, is focused, or is spread
Particulate Concentrations in Bedrooms in Airtight Dwellings: Findings from Eleven Dwellings in Scotland
Full text linkOccupant exposure to unhealthy Particulate Matter (PM) in naturally ventilated air-tight dwellings is not fully understood. In the UK, past studies have not investigated PM in bedrooms. Yet, PM is considered the most toxic pollutant and affects more people than any other pollutant; and bedrooms are the spaces that people typically occupy for the longest cumulative periods of their lifetime; with little or no control of ventilation during sleep. This paper evaluates monitored PM10 and PM2.5 in the context of occupant health in bedrooms of eleven dwellings across Scotland. It focuses on PM2.5, the size associated with greatest impact on health. PM and window operation were monitored concurrently. Air-tightness, smoke tests, dwelling inspections, occupant surveys, questionnaires, and interviews were also conducted. The results indicate that PM2.5 concentrations were generally above the recommended limits by WHO; and potentially unsafe in all the dwellings in the context of the EU-ESCAPE study. Bedtime mean concentrations were significantly lower than the 24hr mean, but would also have potentially negative health impacts based on the ESCAPE study. This suggests possible health burdens of particulates in bedrooms, with continuing construction of air-tight dwellings. Further work is needed on a larger sample of dwellings across different seasons
Space planning and energy efficiency in buildings : the role of spatial, activity and temporal diversities
No full textWhen it becomes necessary to use mechanical energy in buildings, it would be expected that the amount used should not only correspond to the density of spatial utilisation but also the occupancy patterns, or vice versa – that vacancy patterns should produce corresponding reductions in energy use. Empirical evidence suggests that this is not always the case. This research aimed to find out if patterns of interior space organisation and/or utilisation have corresponding patterns of energy consumption, and if planning and/or utilisation programming strategies can enable energy savings. Although this study acknowledges that space planning is related to user organisations, it is not about such relationships. Previous research alludes to the following factors as potential determinants of energy use, but their quantitative degree of influence is not well understood: properties of interior construction elements; environmental interaction/autonomy between spaces; circulation configuration; layout density; activity relationships; and temporal factors of space use. The influence of these factors on energy is examined by quantitative analysis, which matches different plan regimes and environmental systems against different occupancy regimes. The wider target is buildings that experience varied patterns of occupancy, but the focus here is on office, laboratory, and library building typologies, by way of examples. The quantification is by computer simulation using established software packages (TAS, Lightscape, and Flovent) and Excel spreadsheets developed for this work. Further investigations in selected case study buildings involve first monitoring spatial utilisation and the corresponding running environmental systems. The data are then used to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the existing layout against hypothetical options on the existing ‘shell and core’ of each building. A conceptual approach for energy saving, which is partly based on the findings of the parametric and empirical studies, is then formulated and tested in some of the case study buildings. The thesis demonstrates that: different patterns of spatial, activity, and systems organisation have corresponding patterns of energy use; and that significant energy savings can be achieved in a best practice ‘shell and core’ through the right match of space plans with space use patterns – with potentially higher savings in a wasteful shell. It also demonstrates that adopting approaches that dynamically adjust to the temporal diversity of space use can also enable significant savings. One such approach is proposed and promising directions for further research are suggested.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceCambridge Commonwealth TrustGBUnited Kingdo
Assessing the Energy Impact of Different Strategies of Integrating PV/Thermal Heat Recovery Systems in Scottish Homes
No full textThe research on photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) solar systems has been on the rise. In 2005, the International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) programme launched the 1st Task 35 experts meeting to initiate international collaboration on PV/T solar systems. Following the end of the Task 35 research activities, SHC and the Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS) formed a Task 40/Annex 52 joint programme and commenced collaboration on net zero energy solar buildings. Their studies encompass the scrutiny of exemplary net zero energy solar building projects selected from each participating country. Canada’s first net zero energy home, called Écoterra house, built in 2007 through the federal government’s sustainable housing initiative, and the United Kingdom’s Z-en house are currently amongst them. Both projects have been aimed at demonstrating PV/T systems for space heating in addition to power generation. This feasibility study was initiated in order to lead Scottish Z-en house builder, ROBERTRYAN Homes, to thorough understanding of basic features and potential performance of a PV/T HR system under Scottish climatic conditions and further explore how the system can effectively be integrated with the Z-en house to be constructed in 2012/13. The house is being designed to circulate PV heated air throughout the interior via a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system—i.e. implementation of a PV/T MVHR system. In this study, the heat generating capacity of low efficient PV cells (amorphous silicon) and the high efficient counterparts (poly-crystalline) was analysed using the energy and environment simulation tool called EESLISM which was invented in 1989 by Prof. Mitsuhiro Udagawa, Kogakuin University, Japan. The air flow assisted by the MVHR system was assumed to be 300m3/h, 432m3/h or 864m3/h and the velocity of 0.45m/s, 0.5m/s or 1m/s, respectively. The fresh air is drawn under a 7% or 14% efficient PV roof whose module coverage is set according to the nominal power output of either 4kWp or 8kWp. This study confirmed that PV generates heat which makes the fresh air running under the PV roof 10-15˚C warmer than the outside temperature even during the Scottish winter. Low efficient amorphous silicon PV generates more heat than high efficient PV of the same nominal power output due to the necessarily larger area of amorphous PV roof coverage as well as the less sensitivity to temperature rise as opposed to the mono/polycrystalline counterparts. In short, the ventilated PV/T integrated roof helps raise the temperature of the fresh air running under the PV panels and being extracted by an MVHR system, if both the roof and the extractor are connected physically via a duct; thus, it contributes to supplementing the indoor space heating. The architectural integration was considered as important and was visualised in the course of this study. Moreover, the air flow of the PV/T HR system was also considered as one of the key cost-effective design factors that help improve the PV/T heat collecting performance while maintaining electricity generation properties as the PV modules are cooled by the ventilation. In the 7% efficient 4kWp PV/T roof with an angle of 30˚, the EESLISM simulation indicated that the annual rate of PV/T heat collection could be increased by 77% when the ventilation air velocity is changed from 0.5m/s to 1.0m/s. The mere manipulation of the air flow is more economic and about 13 times more efficient than the increase of the PV size from 4kWp to 8kWp. Similar tendency was observed in the 14% efficient PV/T roof. However, the simulation did not extend to analysing the effect of the ventilated PV/T air velocity any more than 1m/s; thus, it may be worth continuing to investigate the extended scope in order to clarify the relationship between PV/T heat collecting capacity and the further increased ventilation rate under the Scottish climate condition in depth
Building Density and Outdoor Air Temperature: The case of Hot-Humid cities
No full textPlanning for outdoors thermal comfort in hot-humid cities should ideally allow the flow of air and protect outdoor activities from strong sun. While some urban geometric configurations would be conducive to either of the two requirements, others would be conducive to a balance of both. Planning would therefore involve making choices between various configurations. While general literature recommends that hot humid cities should be planned to allow airflow, it does not show that this is guided by a complete quantitative understanding of what is more beneficial between shade and wind.
Concentrating on their influence on outdoor air temperature, wind and direct radiation have been investigated by fieldwork studies and mathematical modelling. Simultaneous analysis of both has been done to establish their quantitative relationships with the different geometric features of urban outdoor spaces. Relative indicators from the study have been used to suggest some operational criteria for the planning and design of outdoors urban spaces
The deciduous house: a design approach for energy efficient housing
No full textABSTRACT: The size of spaces has been associated with the levels of energy use in buildings. Empirical evidence shows that many home spaces remain unoccupied for significant lengths of time; and that a significant proportion of UK homes are under-occupied. This paper discusses the potential for saving space heating energy through a design approach for a house with a seasonally adaptive fabric. The approach explores the ways in which architectural design can save energy by resolving the tension between spaces in buildings that are tied in unchanging patterns by static furniture and/or equipment; and those tied in changing patterns by varying occupancy. The key features of the Deciduous House are: a rigid fabric to accommodate rigid elements such as services; and an adaptive fabric with capabilities to seasonally minimise the heated space during the heating season; change its glazing ratio and U-Values; and optimise solar energy when it is in useful supply. The research uses TAS simulation to assess the performance of different configurations of a three bedroom house. The results show potential savings averaging 25.45%, 24.6% and 25.5% during peak winter when the house is used by four, three and two householders respectively. This is in comparison with a conventional base case layout used by similar householders; and with similar U-values meeting the proposed 2013 UK building regulations requirements.
Keywords: space heating energy efficiency, household size, under-occupancy, deciduous house
Space Planning and Energy Efficiency in Buildings: The Role of Spatial, Activity and Temporal Diversities
No full textExecutive summary
When it becomes necessary to use mechanical energy in buildings, it would be expected that the amount used should not only correspond to the density of spatial utilisation but also the occupancy patterns, or vice versa – that vacancy patterns should produce corresponding reductions in energy use. Empirical evidence suggests that this is not always the case. This research aimed to find out if patterns of interior space organisation and/or utilisation have corresponding patterns of energy consumption, and if planning and/or utilisation programming strategies can enable energy savings. Although this study acknowledges that space planning is related to user organisations, it is not about such relationships.
Previous research alludes to the following factors as potential determinants of energy use, but their quantitative degree of influence is not well understood: properties of interior construction elements; environmental interaction/autonomy between spaces; circulation configuration; layout density; activity relationships; and temporal factors of space use. The influence of these factors on energy is examined by quantitative analysis, which matches different plan regimes and environmental systems against different occupancy regimes.
The wider target is buildings that experience varied patterns of occupancy, but the focus here is on office, laboratory, and library building typologies, by way of examples. The quantification is by computer simulation using established software packages (TAS, Lightscape, and Flovent) and Excel spreadsheets developed for this work. Further investigations in selected case study buildings involve first monitoring spatial utilisation and the corresponding running environmental systems. The data are then used to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the existing layout against hypothetical options on the existing ‘shell and core’ of each building. A conceptual approach for energy saving, which is partly based on the findings of the parametric and empirical studies, is then formulated and tested in some of the case study buildings.
The thesis demonstrates that: different patterns of spatial, activity, and systems organisation have corresponding patterns of energy use; and that significant energy savings can be achieved in a best practice ‘shell and core’ through the right match of space plans with space use patterns – with potentially higher savings in a wasteful shell. It also demonstrates that adopting approaches that dynamically adjust to the temporal diversity of space use can also enable significant savings. One such approach is proposed and promising directions for further research are suggested
Flexible and Environment Responsive Mass Housing in Bangalore, India
Full text linkBangalore is one of the fastest urbanizing cities in India due to rapid increase in population and migration of people from varied and distinct cultural backgrounds. This has resulted in rapid development of high density housing characterized by towers of repetitive units. Most modern housing developments are focused on the repetition of units suitable for an average dweller, without taking into consideration the diverse and dynamic needs and wants of individuals and society.
What is ironic is that for centuries now, most societies have produced housing it requires, naturally and indigenously. The traditional vernacular architecture has always been in empathy with the environment.
This project develops options for a prototype housing unit and tests it by an analysis using the TAS software package for achieving flexibility without compromising on natural ventilation. It then develops a residential cluster which can be used as a model for future developments in Bangalore
Assessing the Potenital of Affordable Passivhaus Tenement Housing in Urban Glasgow
No full textThere is a need to develop attractive alternatives to suburban living in order to cater for the increasing number of small households in cities. This paper examines the potential and suitability of tenement housing constructed to the Passivhaus Standard from pre-fabricated cross-laminated timber. There is lack of in-depth understanding of the performance of both massive timber and the Passivhaus Standard in the context of Glasgow. The present work tested the affordability, construction feasibility and environmental performance of a hypothetical Passivhaus Tenement prototype in the context of local climatic, economic and legislative conditions. The prototype is based on the Scottish Building Standards and the Passivhaus Institute guidelines. The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) were used to test Passivhaus compliance in urban situations and configurations; and to compare the prototype’s energy demands to the following options with identical external dimensions: 1) original tenement, 2) refurbished tenement 3) Scottish Building Standards compliant tenement. The challenges and possibilities of upgrading existing tenements to the Passivhaus standard were assessed. An insight is provided into the potential for adopting the Passivhaus Tenement as an affordable housing model
Potential for Net Zero Energy Neighbourhoods in the Ahmedabad Urban and Solar Contexts
Full text linkMany net zero buildings have been proposed in different parts of the world. However, there is an argument that an individual building is not the right scale to develop Net Zero Energy Housing. The neighbourhood scale has the potential to integrate not only individual building systems, but also multibuilding systems as well as of integrating neighbourhood geometry. This scale also offers opportunities for load sharing between buildings and diversity in functions. Inspite of India having a rich solar energy resource, there are no Net Zero Energy Neighbourhoods being developed. This paper tests the potential of three existing neighbourhoods in Ahmedabad, with different building typology and geometry, to achieve Net Zero Energy status by way of retrofitting Photovoltaic Technology. After a review of historical energy bills to assess the energy demand, the PVSyst software package (version 6.0) is used to test the potential performance of solar retrofits in the three different neighbourhoods. The results show that each of the three neighbourhoods can achieve Net Zero Energy status by retrofitting PV Panels. However, the investment cost and payback periods are prohibitive for the economic contexts of the three neighbourhoods. The paper further proposes neighbourhood scale retrofitting strategies. It also proposes government support policies, based on the neighbourhood scale, to overcome the cost limitations in achieving Net Zero Energy status
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