In many building types, the use of natural ventilation requires
detailed design to ensure that:
- the air flow pathways are consistent with the use of the
building and the design of the control infrastructure in the
building, including the location of dampers and sensors which
activate the control system
- the comfort specifications and the ventilation requirements for
the interior of the building are satisfied
- the heat fluxes through the building do not build up unwanted
temperature stratification, with cold zones or hot regions
developing and affecting the mixing and flow of the air.
Breathing Buildings has a unique team of ventilation experts
working under the guidance of Managing Director Dr Shaun Fitzgerald
. The team has expertise in modelling and testing novel designs for
natural ventilation. Previous projects undertaken include designs
for auditoria, shopping malls, multi-storey office buildings,
theatres, and apartment buildings. The modelling approach includes
the use of analogue water-bath models and dynamic thermal models,
calibrated with real building data. Clients include the world's
leading architectural firms, engineering consultancies and
developers.
The power of analogue water-bath models is that they are
incredibly useful in the identification of different flow regimes
for naturally ventilated buildings, and enable designers to
visualise flows in three dimensions in real time - there is no
other design tool which can do this!
Example: Video 1 shows the model of a two storey office
linked to an atrium, and where both floors have upflow displacement
ventilation. However, we investigated the potential flow regimes in
depth and discovered that for the same physical conditions of
window sizes, heat loads and heights, a different flow regime could
be established. Video 2 shows the case in which the top floor
has a reverse flow. Our design work helps identify the range of
flow regimes which can be established, and importantly, how the
natural ventilation control system can be configured in order to
either mitigate the risks of multiple flow regimes or actually use
them to benefit the building!!!
For further information, please contact info@breathingbuildings.com
.