NG JER VAIN
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. Through this project, we are expected to identify and define the principles of heat transfer in relation to building and people as well as analyze the effect of thermal comfort factors in a person and in a space. We are to choose a space in the campus and identify the issue based on our analysis. Then, we are to propose a/more passive roof design to improve the existing condition.
Throughout the module, I have been introduced to the importance of sustainable structure and how they could affect the well-being of our mother earth. Passive design are becoming popular in the industry as it is not only environmental friendly, it could also save up huge electric cost that are used to maintain the thermal comfort within the space. The design is based on four principle :
1. encourage natural ventilation (larger openings)
2. create cooler outdoor areas (using vegetation for shades and choice of material)
3. use of natural daylight (windows/openings to allow sunlight penetration)
4. avoid heat gain in the building (choice of material)
Furthermore, I have learnt to use Revit to create sun path diagram in order to see the effectiveness of my sun shading device. I can then improve the device and decide the amount of light to be allowed in the space to enhance to atmosphere/poetic sense of the space. I incorporated the skill in my design studio and it gives me a better understanding to how my visitor center is going to affect the visitors. Not to neglect the process in analyzing the thermal comfort issues, as well as creating diagrams and heat gain calculations also helped in my design.