PROJECT 1 (GROUP)
CASE STUDY
ASSESSING DAYLIGHT & THERMAL COMFORT AT MODERN HOUSES
The most frequent problems in modern houses are daylighting restrictions, making artificial lighting necessary in all areas of the home. Also, only mechanical devices like fans and air conditioners can help you feel comfortable in the state of thermal comfort. Users might have to pay extra for their utilities as a result of this situation.
​
The simplest method for addressing the problems with thermal comfort and daylight distribution in modern homes may be to include passive design into these structures. Strictly speaking, passive design does not call for artificial lighting or mechanical heating or cooling. In general, passively planned buildings will make use of the local environment to maintain thermal comfort. Buildings that adopt passive design strategies may be more cost-effective, comfortable, and have lower greenhouse gas emissions from mechanical ventilation, lighting, heating, and cooling.
​
For our chosen modern home, which may be a double storey corner lot or a double storey semi-detached house, students must work in groups of SIX (6) to develop ideas for optimizing daylight and thermal comfort. After coming up with ideas, a fieldwork session is required for this case study. This will involve gathering data and watching the selected residence. Passive design strategies will provide the foundation for suggestions for enhancing the current state of thermal comfort and daylight dispersion. It can be necessary for students to use a relevant mobile app during the fieldwork to collect data.
OBJECTIVES
-
To encounter flaws with thermal comfort and daylighting in double-story semi-detached and terraced houses.
-
To evaluate the state of thermal comfort and daylight distribution at double-story terraced and semi-detached houses.
-
To develop concepts for using passive design techniques to address issues with daylight and thermal comfort at double-story terraced and semi-detached houses.
PROJECT BRIEF
TASKS
-
Create a group of SIX (6) composed of a mix of architecture students from semesters 1.5 and 2.5 as well as students from other courses.
-
Pick ONE (1) form of house: a double storey terraced house on a corner lot, or a double storey semidetached house (Note: the choice can be your own house).
-
Choose ONE (1) room for each that has a problem with thermal comfort and daylighting (Note: a space that has both issues on daylighting and thermal comfort can be accepted).
-
To pinpoint any problems with thermal comfort and daylighting at the selected space(s).
(Note: appropriate photos may be included). -
Get secondary information on the Sun Path chart, the Psychometric chart, and any applicable climatic information (Precipitations, temperature, etc.).
-
Gather data on thermal comfort and daylighting, respectively.
i) Daylight:
-
- Using a lux metre or any smartphone app for lux reading to record the reading in Lux.
Grid lines drawn on the space's floor plan can be used to take reading observations.
- Windows that can be opened while reading.
- Recommended reading sessions are at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m.
ii) Thermal Comfort:
-
To monitor the temperature at the selected location (FIVE (5) times daily): 7am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.
-
Reading can be done in the designated area at any point.
-
Windows that can be opened while reading.
-
All results will be neatly tabulated on the floor plan of the selected area.
-
On the floor plan of the selected space, carefully tabulate all findings.
-
Proposal for applying passive design to a selected space or spaces to increase daylighting and thermal comfort:
-
Appropriate before (current condition) and after photos of the selected space (with passive design intervention can be super imposed via photoshop, canva etc.)
-
At least one suggestion for each of daylighting and thermal comfort.
-
Drawings and sketches that are relevant to your ideas and those you should include.
-
Designs that are in the proper scale include a location plan, floor plans, two elevations, and one section.
RESEARCH
SKETCHES
CHOSEN HOUSE
CHOSEN SPACE
FINAL OUTCOMES
A2 BOARDS
As my group and I had to learn about the charts and do our own independent analyses of them. We encountered challenges, but we were able to solve the problem by consulting the lecturer and tutor. To ensure that we could provide the analysis on time, we made an effort to obtain information on the background and drawings before we started the analysis. Working on this project has given me new perspectives.
LECTURE
REFLECTION
Our lecturer stated that there wasn't any other way to put all the information in, thus the submission would be two A2 boards rather than one. Due to the issue with the charts, my group and I started designing the boards slightly later, which caused complications. Together, we were able to put the boards together properly and relate them to each task. We were always looking for the best solutions to the problems we stumble into.
MODULE ASSESSMENTS
As several of my group members had part-time jobs and I was the group leader, I required to think of a solution for them in case anything happened that would have an impact on the entire project. Fortunately, my group and our tutor have good communication skills. I've reminded my group of their responsibilities every day and given them a deadline to meet. I did express my concerns to my tutor and how I wished to improve every detail of the tasks.
TUTOR