Design question examples - Climate data
These are example design questions pertaining to climate data.
The climate is intrinsic to building performance and opportunities and risks relating to it should be considered from the earliest stages of your project.
MC Building Physics can answer these types of questions using a number of methods depending on your requirements.
Will my building still perform well in 20 years time?
|
Why investigate the feature? Most building designed now will still be in use in twenty and even forty years time. Air conditioning plant will be due replacement so air conditioned buildings can be adapted to climate change. Naturally ventilated buildings, particularly homes, do not have this option and so responsible design would require some consideration of future performance. 
|
What are the issues?
|
|
Break the issues down Future climate.
Define performance criteria - Existing adaptive comfort criteria will take into account changing climate. Predict building performance - Considerations should be -:
|
|
Is it worth investigating the possibility of natural ventilation in my building?
|
Why investigate the feature? A naturally ventilated building can offer significant benefits in terms of capital and running costs. Detailed investigation of natural ventilation design can be involved and expensive so an initial feasibility study is a worthwhile investment. This design question is intended to be answered at an early stage in design and needs few building details to proceed. 
|
What are the issues?
|
|
Break the issues down Estimated heat gains - From rule of thumb, hand calculation, window size, occupancy etc. Climate conditions - Using an hourly weather data set. Cooling effect of ventilation - This will depend on a number of factors -:
Estimate the hours of the year that natural ventilation may not be sufficient to provide comfort. The outcome of this exercise is an answer of whether further investigation is warranted or if an alternative ventilation strategy is needed. |