That-Architectural-Thingy

A research compilation which might help on my thesis. ;)

[research-architecture]

SOLAR SHADING

Solar shading systems are designed to provide an aesthetic and efficient shading solution to almost any new and existing building. They are offered both standard or as a bespoke solution. Brise Soleil is the generic term for a system of louvres which, when fitted to the external façade of a building, provides protection against solar heat and glare.

source: http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/reynaers-aluminium/aluminium-solar-shadings-3519-220269.html

[research-architecture]

Heat leakage through the window openings in the premises is an average of 40%, and the cause is not only poorly insulated frames, but also the fact that the glass absorbs heat in the premises, and then re-emits it, not only in premises but also outside. (Low-E) is a clear glass that has a microscopically-thin coating of metal oxide. This filters the sun's heat while allowing a considerable amount of light to enter. Low-E glass is a type of insulating glass, which increases the energy efficiency of windows by reducing the transfer of heat or cold through glass. That means in cold temperatures house stays warmer, and in the hot temperatures it stays cooler by rejecting the sun's heat and damaging rays reducing air conditioning and artificial lighting costs. There are two types of Low-E glass:  with hard coat and soft coat. They have different properties and actually they look different. Unlike "soft" cover "hard" has a weak constant surface haze, which is especially noticeable in bright light. Window with this glass looks like it's a washed with dirty water. Such glasses are most often used in modern PVC windows, what significantly saves energy. For example, if the outside temperature is -26 ° and room temperature +20 °,  temperature of the indoors glass surface  will be +5° if You have conventional glass, +11° with "hard" cover glass, and +14° with the"soft" cover glass. 

[research-architecture]

Green reaching out to the blues: Farming on Skyscrapers!

[research-architecture]

GREEN ARCHITECTURE

1. building fabric 2. external glazing 3. building sealing 4. air movement 5. air-conditioning and ventilation systems 6. artificial lighting and power 7. hot water supply, and 8. access for maintenance.

- A green roof is one of the innovative elements of the design. There are many benefits to the green roof, including thermal and acoustic performance.

- The roof will also assist with rainwater management, solar control from hot western radiation and protection from damaging coastal winds. It will also provide an additional area where children can play and families gather. It will become a significant and visible ‘green’ statement for the council. All the ESD elements are considered by the shire council to provide an educative experience not only for the children using the building, but also for the parents and the wider community.

- Water harvesting and management is likely to be more regulated in the near future.

There are many benefits to water management, especially in Australia. We encourage clients who are interested in creating sustainable environments to include significant water management initiatives. Some of the benefits of rainwater harvesting include: * free water for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation * reduced mains water usage – this is significant as the cost of water will increase over time, and * reduction in run-off through alternatives to asphalt and concrete pavements. Common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key factors in indoor air quality issues, such as sick building syndrome – generated by photocopiers, carpets and furnishings, as components oxidise, or through contact during use. One irritant, formaldehyde, is present in hundreds of office components, including wood and laminated furniture, shelving and wall covers. It is of considerable concern in the design of schools and childcare facilities. Creating carbon-neutral VOC emissions over the long-term will create considerably healthier and safer places to work and play. Strategies currently under consideration for the proposed children’s hub to ensure good indoor air quality are: * avoidance of building materials containing VOCs * avoidance of excessive fitout materials that collect dust * regular replacement of indoor air with outdoor air through natural ventilation strategies when the external climate is favourable, and a ventilation strategy that uses geothermal air tempering when the untempered outdoor air is unsuitable * indoor plants that actively improve the environment – this can be achieved with normal pot plants, vertical plant walls or bio-filtration walls, and q use of interior paint that actively degrades indoor air pollutants. Other ESD strategies for reducing energy consumption for the proposed children’s hub include: * reverse block veneer construction (i.e. with thermal mass on the inside and insulation on the outside) * solar hot water panels * daylighting to reduce the need for artificial light * sun control to reduce solar radiation * hydronic heating integrated into the building fabric, and * green roof design.

We’ve also reduced the reliance on air-conditioning with designs allowing fresh air reticulation within the slab and ‘heat chimneys’ to aid the circulation of air. Studies have shown that student attendance and results have improved significantly in schools designed to incorporate fresh air reticulation. Natural ventilation in the learning spaces and the managing of the internal temperature in schools through proper orientation, wide eaves, insulation and reducing western sun exposure, will dramatically reduce long-term running costs and provide a healthier environment than reliance on air-conditioning.

With increased environmental awareness, there is no doubt that ESD principles are paramount in the design process of building projects. Baldasso Cortese believes every project now requires a vigorous ESD ‘workshop’ with the client at its commencement to ensure concepts are understood and to flesh out those ESD initiatives that will minimise energy consumption and building life cycle costs, while achieving the lowest environmental impact possible.

[research-architecture]

Hybrid Systems

Systems combining wind and solar energy have been made possible by recent technological developments.  They are integrated easily into most homes and are often linked with a battery-backup system that provides security in case of energy crisis.

Combining renewable resources has numerous positive benefits for homeowners. Principal among them are: A.) Increased and consistent energy production B.) Less required space per installation A natural, negative correlation exists between sun and wind-power generation: when one is high, the other tends to be low. The most obvious difference is between day and night.  However, on a larger scale, seasonal changes are equally important.  Shorter days and higher average wind speeds limit solar production during winter months, while longer days and ample sunshine work in its favor in the summer. These factors take on greater weight when a battery-backup system is in place.  In this type of system, the energy stored in the batteries needs to be replenished more often than what is achievable with a solar-only system.  This is especially true in locations with extreme seasonal variance.  Likewise, homeowners benefit by producing surplus energy, which not only keeps energy bills at zero, but can often be sold back to the grid for a net profit! The second advantage relates to the physical space required for renewable energy systems - the "energy density footprint" in industry lingo. For many homeowners, the footprint is a major concern. While going green is a great goal, many homeowners have either limited space to install their system or simply do not want a renewable energy system to overshadow their home or take up a large area of their property.  For solar panel arrays, necessary area increases nearly proportionally with power output.  For example, a two-kilowatt solar system requires twice the space of a one-kilowatt system.  For wind energy, however, the space required increases only marginally.  The tower base is the only required space at ground level.  Even accounting for the entire turbine’s shadow, a standard four-kilowatt turbine requires about 25% as much space as an equivalent solar system.  Where space is limited, such differences can make or break the decision to install, and in far too many instances this information is not readily available. Taken together, hybrid wind/solar systems can strike the balance many customers are looking for between cost, energy production, and space.

source: http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/wind-and-solar/hybrid-systems

[research-architecture]

AEROGENERATORS

The wind-ANEMOOS is a vertical axis wind turbine, medium power, designed for all types of environment: urban, rural, remote and even water-based environments. The ANEMOOS are made from composite materials of fiberglass and resin hydrophobic allowing a light structure, increasing the lifetime of the system (beyond 50 years) and increasing anti-corrosion resistance (particularly towards salt, air and sand) Accumulations of snow, ice or ice on such a surface is virtually zero and the extreme heat of a desert does not adversely affect its operation. The simplicity of its design and the high quality of components used provides a highly durable, reliable, secure and easy maintained solution. In urban areas, the ANEMOOS can be placed on rooftops or ground level and its ecological footprint is zero.

AFter detailed analysis and studies on current facilities, the impact on nature and in particular towards birds, is minimal to zero. THE BENEFITS OF WIND-ANEMOOS • No noise • Vibration free • Low visual impact • Omnidirectional • Easy integration to existing buildings • Installation at consumption • Ideal for use in turbulent • Made with composite materials  • Increased durability

source: http://news.archiexpo.com/press/anemoos/aerogenerators-the-vertical-axis-78074-166416.html