Building Science I

Board 1

Introduction to Case Study (chosen site: UniGym at Taylor's University); Sun Analysis, Wind Analysis, Psychometric Chart, Critical Issues of the current UniGym

Board 2

Precedent Studies of other buildings as references; Solutions to the UniGym in passive design strategies to improve the ventilation and reduce heat gained into building

Case Study

Analyzing Passive Building Design Strategies

Basic building design does not require mechanical heating or cooling. Buildings that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort. Incorporating the principles of passive building design in building: 

Significantly improves comfort 

Reduces or eliminates heating and cooling bills 

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions from heating, cooling, mechanical ventilation and lighting

Building envelope is a term used to describe the roof, walls, windows, floors and internal walls of a building.

The objectives of this project are: 

1. To identify and define the principles of heat transfer in relation to building and people 

2. To understand what is thermal comfort and discuss factors relating to thermal comfort 

3. To analyze the effect of thermal comfort factors in a person and in a space 

4. To be able to criticize design of the space in terms of thermal comfort by referring to MS1525, UBBL and GBI standards.

Propose a passive design for the roof and elaborate the principles, strategies and details needed to perform best in tropical climate in order to achieve thermal comfort in this building/space. Eg. Roof garden, roof pond.

Research the principles behind the usage and its relation to climate and thermal comfort. 

Prove with appropriate methods; eg. That heat gain is reduced through calculations of before and after. 

Conclude your findings with photograph/sketches of the interior ambiances and outline the thermal comfort of before and after. 

Explicitly detail visuals and narrate strategies that accompany this design feature. 

Research should contain the following:

a. Building Introduction (images, pictures, diagrams, drawings and description)

b. Site analysis; micro (wind, sun, topography, etc.)

c. Concept and analysis of buildings basic design strategies and proposed passive design strategy.

d. A proposal to achieve thermal comfort in the chosen space/building, elaborate design features with details, the effect on thermal comfort and importance of it.

e. Appropriate visuals and diagrams (tables, charts, etc.) with appropriate referencing and citation where applicable.