Construction Resources: Natural Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Examines the ways design teams can take a more creative approach to the design and expression of both active and passive environmental control systems. Case Studies from around the world, including many award-winning buildings.

Achieving a sustainable level of energy efficiency in buildings, while maintaining occupant comfort, would both substantially reduce energy demand and improve energy security, as well as improving the environmental impact, including the carbon footprint, of building stock worldwide. Energy efficiency and thermal comfort can be achieved in both old and new buildings through application of advanced building materials and technology. This book critically reviews the development and utilisation of advanced building materials and applications of this technology in a range of building types and climates.

There are many aspects to consider when evaluating or improving an indoor environment; thermal comfort, energy saving, preservation of materials, hygiene and health are all key aspects which can be improved by passive methods of environmental control. Passive Methods as a Solution for Improving Indoor Environments endeavours to fill the lack of analysis in this area by using over ten years of research to illustrate the effects of methods such as thermal inertia and permeable coverings; for example, the use of permeable coverings is a well known passive method, but its effects and ways to improve indoor environments have been rarely analyzed.  Passive Methods as a Solution for Improving Indoor Environments  includes both software simulations and laboratory and field studies. Through these, the main parameters that characterize the behavior of internal coverings are defined. Furthermore, a new procedure is explained in depth which can be used to identify the real expected effects of permeable coverings such as energy conservation and local thermal comfort as well as their working periods in controlling indoor environments.   This theoretical base is built on by considering future research work including patents and construction indications which will improve indoor environmental conditions with evidence from real data. This makes Passive Methods as a Solution for Improving Indoor Environments  an ideal resource for specialists and researchers focusing on  indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and energy saving or with a general interest in controlling indoor environments with passive methods.

Designer’s Guide to Building Construction and Systems for Residential and Commercial Structuresoffers students a concise, easy-to-understand guide for learning about building construction and systems in preparation for a successful practice as an interior designer. Using language geared for students of interior design, the text covers basic structural principles applied to the building environment through a review of common building methods including timber frame, masonry, and steel construction for residential and commercial projects as applicable. 

Why not actively incorporate the natural climate into the design of a building? Why not exploit the potential of natural ventilation? Why not use sun blinds to collect solar energy? Intelligent climate-engineering aims to design aesthetically pleasing buildings with low energy consumption, economical maintenance and reduced production costs. One of the most successful climate engineering firms is Transsolar Energietechnik in Stuttgart, who have acted as consultants to prominent architects such as Ben van Berkel, Murphy / Jahn, Frank O. Gehry, Auer+Weber, Behnisch & Partner, and James Carpenter. This book provides an aesthetic overview of Transsolar´s integrated building and energy concepts covering aspects such as load-bearing structures, heat and ventilation systems, light planning, and facade construction. It includes contributions by architects who have made use of Transsolar´s concepts and an extensive glossary of technical terms.