INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW OUTDOOR INDOOR CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES APPENDICES

3. OUTDOOR STUDIES

3.7 COMFORT ANALYSIS

By using the Grasshopper (Ladybug) plug-in software in Rhino 3D, a comfort analysis was performed for the New Yard for three different times of the year and it was observed that the occupants would experience heat stress during summer and would be cold during the winter and spring durations. It is evident from figure 3.7.1 that the occupants would not be in their comfort zone due to the climatic conditions and surrounding obstructions. The annual UTCI graph, however, depicts comfort hours majorly in the month from May to October and at a few times of the day during other months of the year. This can be observed in figure 3.7.2

3. OUTDOOR STUDIES

3.8 TECHNICAL STUDIES

It was observed that during winters, the space is not suitable for working conditions while during summers it is found that outdoor temperature is acceptable. As a part of technical studies, retractable glazed roofing was introduced. This system is designed in a way where it is kept open during the summer, while closed during winters to retain the heat generated by adjacent spaces as well as store solar heat gains, to improve the microclimate of the open space.

This roof system, restrained by adjacent buildings and window openings, was introduced at level 0, with a floor to height ratio of 1:0.33, considering two different types of glazing to improve the thermal condition of the space, namely double low-E argon glass with a U-value of 2.08 W/K and the other being triple Low-E Argon glass with a U-value of 1.5 W/K (Fig 3.8.1).

Introduction Overview Outdoor Indoor Conclusions References Appendices

3. OUTDOOR STUDIES

3.9 THERMAL ANALYSIS

Thermal studies for the New yard are discussed in this section. Table 3.9.1 indicates the parameters considered for the simulations carried out. Figure 3.9.3 shows dry bulb temperatures with the roof installed, for a typical winter week, with level 0 and level 1 as their respective heights along with the existing condition case. The graph clearly shows that the roof system at level 0 which retains more heat and reduces heat loss. This outdoor condition enables occupants to be comfortable. with the roof at level 1, there is less heat gain compared to the volume of the space. However, the glazing properties used in this case help retain the heat that is generated by occupants and appliances used by the adjacent spaces like the model workshop, etc. This design strategy is more suitable for bigger installations as the height does not restrict the various functions.

Figure 3.9.2 shows comfort hours for the proposed cases, with a UTCI comfort band ranging from 90C to 260C.

Introduction Overview Outdoor Indoor Conclusions References Appendices

4. INDOOR STUDIES | COMPUTER LAB 01

4.1 SPATIAL LAYOUT

The analysis of computer lab 01 will be carried out in this section. It is located on the ground floor of 16 Morwell Street, London in the Architectural Association building premises. The computer lab is operational on all days throughout the year except for days when the school is closed for vacations.

In terms of the layout (Figure 4.1.1), the computer lab is accessed through the entrance of 16 Morwell Street and has an area of 125.20 m2 with a height of 2.5m. It has a central aisle with computer work-stations on either side and room for storage and staff on the north-east side.

The room has fixed windows on the southwest facade facing Morwell Street, adhering to the concerns of privacy and safety, and pivot windows on the northeast facade facing the New Yard which is non-openable due to obstruction of blinds (Figure 4.1.2, Figure 4.1.3) . All windows are single-glazed and have Venetian roller-blinds on both sides.

The flooring has black carpet and the workstations are of a blue matt finish, which prevents glare. The walls and ceiling are white which gives a feeling of a larger space as understood from occupant interviews.

The lab consists of 37 computers and 3 printers. Though the space has varying occupancy patterns, the computers are never turned off throughout the week. Hence, constant heat is generated. To maintain the efficiency of the systems, the thermostat is set at 22oC at most times during the year.

Furthermore, the area is well equipped with ceiling-mounted compact fluorescent lights, and suspended square LED lights which are in use throughout the operational hours, as there is inadequate natural light for the space.

Finally, the space is ventilated with a centralized HVAC duct system mounted to the ceiling by the central aisle. The thermostat is controlled by laboratory and building maintenance staff.

HVAC | CENTRAL SYSTEM THROUGH FAN COIL UNITS

THERMOSTAT SET TO 22°C 1 - 37 OCCUPANTS

DIMENSIONS | 10.4 X 10.7 M

AREA | 125. 20 SQ.M

VOLUME | 343.53 CU.M

WALL-WINDOW RATIO

SOUTH-WEST | 52%

NORTH EAST | 36%

WINDOW-FLOOR RATIO | 10%

ORIENTATION | NE - SW

COMPUTERS | 37

PRINTERS | 3

BLINDS | ROLLER BLINDS

SOUTH-WEST FIXED WINDOW (5)

2.0 X 1.8M

NORTH-EAST PIVOT WINDOW (6)

1.4 X 1.8M

4. INDOOR STUDIES | COMPUTER LAB 01

4.2 GENERAL SURVEY

To get a better judgment on the thermal performance of the spaces, the team conducted an online survey. These surveys were answered by the staff of the computer lab, tutors as well as students who were found to use the lab regularly.

A total of 25 responses were received, of which the maximum number (83%) were students. When it comes to different opportunities for adaptive comfort, it is observed that a majority of students are well clothed, to improve their level of comfort. This was considered to be an important factor at the time of the survey, as the computer lab 01 is mechanically controlled and set to a temperature range of 18 to 22 degrees.

In terms of thermal comfort, from figure 4.2.1 the survey shows a majority of 55% of occupants are within the comfort limit. However, when it comes to noise levels, air quality, and visual comfort a majority of votes were towards a certain level of discomfort. Not having the necessary adaptive opportunities, like being able to control the operability of windows, was considered to be the main reason for the above