Midterm Review (Weeks 1-6)

What is a microclimate?

Influenced by the ground elevation, surrounding context, and regional climate

What is altitude?

The angular elevation of the sun above the horizon.

What is a BTU?

Heat energy that is required to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree fahrenheit

What is humidity?

The amount of water vapor in a given space

What percentage is considered comfortable humidity?

30% to 60%

What is R-value?

Quantitative measure of an assembly of material resistance to heat flow for a unit temperature difference and a unit area

What are fenestrations? How does this impact the building envelope? Explain.

An opening in the exterior facade, constructed to prevent any loads from above are distributed around the openings and not transferred to doors and windows Can allow for heat / air passage - thermal bridging

What causes heat generation in buildings?

Activity of occupants, Operation of equipment, Solar heat, Lighting, Heating Systems

What is daylighting?

Controlled admission of natural light, Direct sunlight and diffused-skylight into a building, Reduction electric lighting and saving energy

What are the three building envelope barriers?

Thermal, Water Control, and Air / Vapor

What are sources of heat gain?

Sun, Lights, Envelope, Outside Air, Electrical Equipment

How is heat gain transferred to the interior of a building?

Must be absorbed by an object before radiated into the space

What do we need to reduce loads when we design passively?

Location, Orientation, Materials, Lighting, Air Infiltration, Shape/Form

What are HVAC systems?

Indoor and outdoor equipments used to efficiently heat and cool a space

Why is it important to consider the impact of architecture and climate change? How can we combat this? Explain.

Long term effects causing shifts in weather patterns caused by heat trapped within the atmosphere. Limit waste produced by construction and demolition - about 230 to 250 tons of waste produced annually in the United States Create a framework for sustainable development - principles of the design and construction process, resources for the project (Consider the resources that are available - land, materials, water, energy, and ecosystems), and understand what gasses these steps should be implemented in the design process.

What does PTAC stand for? Where are these systems typically used? Explain.

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning Hotels and apartments good for creating a comfortable environment for individual rooms

What are three HVAC components?

heating, ventilation, air conditioning

What are load reductions?

Reduction of peak heating and cooling loads

What is prevailing wind?

Predominant direction of wind from both natural and artificial air channeling

What is a wind rose? Why is it used? Explain.

Graphic showing prevailing wind in relation to a site. Design to reduce loads on building from too much wind / cooling based on seasons

How is the interior layout defined by the exterior form? How does this affect the circulation, entry, etc. Explain.

The interior layout is affected by the overall shape and positioning of the exterior form, because the solar orientation can help determine where certain interior programs should be located based off heating and lighting conditions that rely on where the structure is placed.

How have we seen architecture as a field expand in response to the climate crisis? Give examples of what we see in the design process, execution, and practices? Explain.

Architects have developed many passive design strategies in response to the climate crisis. Highly efficient building envelopes have been developed to improve building efficiency and reduce heat loss. This has been done using things like triple pane windows and high preforming insulation. We have also learned how to use dead spaces like some roofs and turn them into places for vegetation that can sequester more carbon. Water collection systems have been built into buildings for water re-use to limit unnecessary water waste. We can also make buildings overall more efficient and therefore sustainable by planning for proper site orientation and materials. This material selection process is evident in the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. They used only regional materials to limit carbon costs that are normally present with transportation, they also incorporated a green roof into this project as well.

What are the four types of climate?

Cold, Temperate, Hot Humid, Hot Arid

How do we determine window placement and size in relation to the solar path? Explain.

We determine window placement and size based off how much sunlight they will be exposed to during different times of the year which is determined by the solar path. North facing windows receive lots of sun in the winter but are often shaded from the summer sun, east and west facing windows have little to no light exposure most of the year but have excessive summer sun exposure, south facing have no direct sunlight in the winter and some in the summer. We can take all these factors into consideration when placing windows and determining where the different programs within a structure are located to make a design plan that agrees with the solar path therefore creating more efficient design.

What is a building envelope? How do you design the building envelope for various seasonal conditions? What influences these conditions? Explain.

The building envelope is the barrier between internal and external conditions of a building. We can design an envelope to have shades that protect from excess sun in the summer to keep the building cool. We can design an envelope to have materials which will hold onto heat and release it later when the building needs to be warmed. We can place windows in the envelope in locations that agree with the solar orientation to maximize solar heat gain in the winter. We can make sure to prevent thermal bridges in the envelope to minimize heat loss or gain. These seasonal conditions are influenced by regional climate and weather patterns. Typically precipitation, wind patterns, humidity and temperature, site orientation and solar patterns.

What is thermal comfort?

State of mind that is satisfied with the thermal environment.

What factors determine thermal comfort?

Metabolism, Humidity, Air Movement, Clothing

What is heat?

A form of energy that flows from a point at one temperature to another point at a lower temperature, Determined by touch

What is temperature?

Measure / degree of heat intensity

What are thermal environmental factors?

Air (dry-bulb) Temperature, Humidity, Mean radiant temperature, Air movement, Clothing, Activity level

What is Wet-bulb Temperature?

The lowest temperature to which air can be cooled by the evaporation of water into the air at a constant pressure, A means of expressing the humidity of the air

What is Dry-bulb temperature

Temperature taken with an unwetted bulb that is shielded from radiant exchange

What is humidity?

The amount of water vapor in a given space

What is radiation?

Net exchange of radiant energy between two bodies across an open space

How can we design for building ecology?

Limiting external acoustics / sound, Allowing natural light during the day and building shading at night / as the sun sets, Creating a well ventilated space with adequate thermal comfort

Using Josey Pavilion as a case study, how can we design for the occupant using natural resources rather than non-renewable energy. Explain

The Pavilion works in tandem with local weather patterns to keep its occupants comfortable year round. It uses sliding panels that are open in the summer to allow for cross-ventilation but close in the winter to block wind and trap solar heat. The building has a steel gutter and rain chains that allow for water collection and reuse. The building also uses local materials to reduce carbon and zero toxic chemicals leaving indoor air quality almost perfectly fresh for the occupants.

What is process air conditioning?

Properly functioning electronic equipment.

What does BTU stand for?

British Thermal Unit

What is the ideal temperature for indoor thermal comfort standards?

68 F to 74 F in the winter and 72 F to 80 F in the summer - Suitable for 80% of occupants (ASHRAE)