scholarly journals Indoor Thermal Environment and Occupant’s Living Pattern of Traditional Timber Houses in Tropics

Designs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Rezuana Islam ◽  
Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Traditional timber houses in tropics have specific environmental characteristics that evolved considering material constraints, local construction technology and climate. To provide occupants with the necessary comfort, these naturally ventilated houses adopted several passive design strategies. Moreover, occupants have unique living patterns which may have contributed towards achieving indoor thermal comfort. However, scientific knowledge regarding these issues is still limited. Therefore, considering traditional timber houses of Bangladesh as sample cases, this study aims to investigate existing relationship between an indoor thermal environment and an occupant’s living pattern within these tropical houses. Physical measurement of thermal parameters and questionnaire surveys followed by personal observations were conducted. Findings show that indoor air temperature (AT °C) fluctuates readily with that outdoors without a timelag resulting in daytime overheating. The occupant’s daytime thermal sensation is mostly slightly warm to hot. Semi-open and outdoor shaded spaces become a way to cope with the daytime overheating period. Occupants frequently use indoor spaces during the night when thermal sensation ranges between neutral to slightly cool. Finally, from the findings an interpretational graph has been developed relating indoor thermal environment with occupant’s living pattern within a traditional timber house. Findings will contribute to professionals and policy-makers developing architectural design strategies that may impact the occupant’s well-being in future.

scholarly journals Indoor Thermal Environment of Various Semi-Enclosed Atrium Configurations of Institutional Building in Tropical Climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
Wardah Fatimah Mohammad Yusoff
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Heat Penetration ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Involved Field

The consideration of local climate is essential for the application of atrium in building. Different strategies and approaches in atrium configuration are required for different climates in ensuring its effectiveness.  Nevertheless, the final aim is still similar which is to provide a comfortable environment for the users. Hence, this study was executed to examine the effects of top and side configurations on the indoor thermal environment of semi-enclosed atrium in the tropical climate. The methodologies involved field measurement and questionnaire survey. The field measurements were executed at two different configurations of semi-enclosed atriums in the tropical climate of Malaysia. Meanwhile, the questionnaire surveys were executed simultaneously with the field measurements in obtaining the users’ thermal sensation and satisfaction. The findings indicated that the top configuration had more influence to the indoor thermal environment compared to the side configuration as it determined the amount of solar heat penetration into the atrium area. Meanwhile, the side configuration influenced the air velocity inside the atrium. The Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment’s atrium that has opaque top finishes was found to have the average indoor operative temperature of less than 30 °C throughout the day, though the average outdoor air temperature was more than 30 °C. It also had more hours with neutral thermal sensation felt by the users compared to the Faculty of Economics and Management’s atrium that has transparent materials for the top finishes. The study is useful in guiding the selection of appropriate strategy for an atrium in tropical climate

Study on the Thermal Performance of the Vernacular Dwellings in Wei-He Plain of Shaanxi Province

2012 ◽  
Vol 476-478 ◽  
pp. 1589-1595
Author(s):  
Yi Ping Zhu ◽  
Xi Liao ◽  
Shu Yun Wu ◽  
Jing Luo ◽  
Yuan Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Shaanxi Province ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Based on indoor thermal environment test and questionnaire surveys, the paper studies on thermal insulation capacity and indoor thermal environment of the vernacular dwellings in Wei-he Plain of Shaanxi Province, China, and analyses their heating methods and application status. Besides, the popularity of sustainable techniques in local area has been evaluated and summarized. Moreover, the paper discusses the present problems in local indoor thermal environment and energy-saving status.

scholarly journals Role of Urban Greening Strategies for Environmental Sustainability—A Review and Assessment in the Context of Saudi Arabian Megacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6457
Author(s):  
Abdullah Addas ◽  
Ahmad Maghrabi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Saudi Arabian ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Urban Greening ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

The review and assessment of urban greening patterns play a crucial role in sustainable urban planning and green spaces (GSs) management, helping to improve human well-being. In recent years, various methods and strategies were applied to examine the relationship between GSs and environmental sustainability, but so far, no studies on systematic review and empirical assessments were carried out in Saudi Arabian context. Thus, a comprehensive review and assessment of current GSs patterns and planning strategies are important for achieving urban environmental sustainability. This study aims to assess spatial pattern of GSs across the cities and a bibliographic review on the urban greening strategies in the Saudi context. These six urban strategies were further supported from empirical evidence on Saudi cities. Geographical information system (GIS) techniques and questionnaire surveys were performed for spatial mapping of GSs and the perceived role of GSs strategies of the respondent to environmental sustainability across cities. The findings showed that (i) highest PCGS was reported from Dammam (5.4 m2) followed by Riyadh (1.18 m2), and Jeddah (0.5 m2); (ii) most of the respondents use GSs for picnic (59%), mental well-being (53%), and physical activities (47%), respectively; (iii) GSs play a significant role for local climate regulation such as temperature control (78%) and UHI reduction (81%), and GSs provide thermal comfort (84%), respectively; and (iv) 40% respondents do not use GSs due to the lack of availability, accessibility, design, management, and safety of GSs. Thus, such findings of the study surely assist planners and policy makers to understand and implement the suggested GSs strategies to meet the satisfaction level of the respondents as well as to manage GSs at neighborhood and city level for urban environmental sustainability.

Strategy for Application of Non-Wood Fibrous Material on Roofs at Rurual Areas in Cold Region

2015 ◽  
Vol 730 ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
Xin Ran Wang ◽  
Yu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Fibrous Material ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Cold Region ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Insulation Performance

Large energy consumption, serious pollution and poor quality of indoor thermal environment are generally seen during construction in villages and towns in China nowadays, leading to poor building insulation performance. Envolope of enclosure of a buidling is key to its insulation performance. Material selection of building enclosures and green design of construction technology are the key to promoting insulation performance of the building as villages and towns in cold region are subject to special geographical position, climate conditions and economic factors. With a focus on research of traditional non-wood fibrous material modification with existing technology and the engineering practice in non-wood fibre roof in villages and towns of cold region, this paper came up with the prospects of its applicatin in the following design strategies including “ecological and conservation-oriented roofing with modified local materials, new hybrid roofing with simplified construction technology and paper tensioning roofing with innovative synthetic materials”.

scholarly journals Homeless. Self-Build Housing for Wellington's Transitionally Homeless

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jake Goodger
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Business Innovation ◽  
New Zealanders

<p>Housing is an important precondition for people to live healthy and prosperous lives. Access to suitable housing is an essential factor in the overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Housing suitability and quality has ramifications for physical and mental health, education, employment, social cohesion and intergenerational mobility. These outcomes directly impact the functioning of communities, broader society, and the economy (Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment).  Per capita, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the world. At 1% of the total population, it is estimated that approximately 42,000 New Zealanders are experiencing some form of homelessness. These individuals are either in temporary or insecure accommodation (OECD). Our capital’s housing supply is evidentially not meeting demand. Wellington is currently 9312 dwellings short of what is required, resulting in multiple tenants residing in singular rooms, and an increase in homelessness (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment). This issue arises when there is an intermediate population deemed ‘too rich’ for social housing by the Ministry of Social Development screening process. However, due to low current median incomes this group are not able to afford Wellington’s rental prices, leaving them with little to no options in securing healthy and stable accommodation. Those fortunate enough to secure tenancy find themselves marginalised by society as they are not in permanent ‘homes’ but transitional residences on the city fringes.  This thesis explores a novel approach to our capital’s housing crisis, with the specific intention of provoking conversation about alternative approaches to the re-housing of New Zealanders most at need. Giving individuals the opportunity to up-skill, combined with the ability to craft their own permanent home will provide the helping hand needed to get them back on their feet and re-introduced into productive society. Interviews with Wellington’s housing providers and those working directly with the homeless have informed the key considerations for providing housing for the transitionally homeless. The literature review highlights the importance of creating and enhancing a sense of belonging through architectural design strategies. Precedent studies are analysed to understand the importance of location, planning, appearance and the materiality of housing units as well as assessing the validity of self-build housing for New Zealand. This research develops a universal design response to affordable housing in Wellington. A non-exclusive approach facilitates residents as a whole rather than focusing on site specifics, thus achieving a more holistic design concept. This model can be implemented in a broader context to ultimately support the provision of quality and affordable housing to those in most need.  The outcomes of this thesis include; a set of design guidelines for those involved in the provision of housing for the transitionally homeless, and a detailed design proposal for a conceptual housing intervention in urban Wellington.</p>

scholarly journals Human-Oriented Design of an Indoor Thermal Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 02001
Author(s):  
Masanari Ukai ◽  
Tatsuo Nobe
Keyword(s):  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Clothing Insulation ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Initial Survey ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
Temperature Side

In this study, an initial survey of clothing insulation and changes in the metabolic rate of individuals in office spaces was performed to establish the distribution of room temperatures at which individuals perceived a neutral thermal sensation. Subsequently, the indoor thermal environment in four offices was surveyed during the summer with different air-conditioning systems to determine the thermal environment stability in each case. The results revealed that for the required temperature, there was a noticeable difference between the average and most frequent values. Moreover, it was determined that the required temperature distribution is not normal, but rather, it is skewed to the low-temperature side. In addition, the radiant air-conditioning system was found to generate a narrow distribution of the equivalent temperature and hence, facilitated a more uniform thermal environment compared to a convective (multi-unit) air-conditioning system. Therefore, in buildings with convective air-conditioning systems, even if the planar average thermal environment is categorized as comfortable, it may be possible that workers who are sensitive to the cold or heat will complain of discomfort more frequently than those in buildings with radiant air-conditioning systems because the probability of workers sitting in cold- or hot-spot areas is higher in the former case.

Field Survey on Occupant Thermal Comfort of Cold Regions in Transition Season

2013 ◽  
Vol 805-806 ◽  
pp. 1620-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Ying Qu
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Cold Regions ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Transition Season

A thermal comfort field study was investigated in residential buildings of cold regions in transition season during which the indoor thermal environment conditions are measured, the thermal sensation value of the occupants is questioned and recorded. A seven-point thermal sensation scale was used to evaluate the thermal sensation. The statistical method was used to analyze the data and the conclusions are as follows in transition season: clothing increase in 0.1clo when the indoor air temperature is lowered by 1°C; and clothing will be a corresponding increase in 0.06clo when the outdoor air temperature is lowered by 1°C; clothing also varies with gender, age, weight and thermal history and other related; the measured thermal neutral temperature is 21.3°C; and the minimum accepted temperature is 11.4 °C in transition season in cold regions. Most people choose to change clothes, switch and other passive measures, and occasionally take active measures of heater, electric fans and others.

scholarly journals Impact of ventilation system type on indoor thermal environment and human thermal comfort in a ceiling cooling room

2021 ◽  
pp. 277-277
Author(s):  
Xiaozhou Wu ◽  
Genglin Liu ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
Shuang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Curtain Wall ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Human Thermal Comfort ◽  
System Type

A ceiling cooling (CC) system integrated with a mechanical ventilation system is an advanced HVAC system for the modern office building with glass curtain wall. In this paper, considering the influence of heat transfer of external envelope, the indoor thermal environment and human thermal comfort were objectively measured and subjectively evaluated in a ceiling cooling room with mixing ventilation (MV) or underfloor air distribution (UFAD). Indoor physical parameters and human skin temperatures were measured as the chilled ceiling surface temperature and supply air temperature were 17.1?C-17.6?C and 22.2?C - 22.6?C. Simultaneously, 16 subjects (8 males and 8 females) were selected to subjectively evaluate the thermal environment. The results showed that the difference between mean radiant temperature and air temperature in the occupied zone was 0.8?C with CC+MV and 1.2?C with CC+UFAD, and the indoor air velocity was 0.17m/s with CC+MV and 0.13m/s with CC+UFAD. In addition, the calculated and measured thermal sensation votes with CC+MV were all slightly less than those with CC+UFAD. Therefore, ventilation system type had a slight impact on the indoor thermal environment and human thermal comfort in the ceiling cooling room.

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