Introduction to Environmental Control Systems Course

We know the definitions that the course will examine. What are the Environmental Control Systems (for building design!)?

When you design your project, how could you achieve the thermal comfort of the human inside buildings? 

Remember, you aim to meet users' needs in your architectural design! Right?

So, is thermal comfort a need? Or luxury features in the design? 

Vertical Forest Tower, in Milan. To improve the thermal performance of the building and enhance micro-climate

Definitely, thermal comfort is a NEED! 

The first step in making designs that meet thermal comfort standards is adapting them to benefit from outdoor climatic conditions (do you remember the most influencing factors?). Yes, well done! Air Temperature, Wind (speed, direction, and frequency), Solar Radiation, Precipitation, and Relative Humidity. 

When you understand these factors, you can make design decisions that respect the climatic conditions. 

You can make a glass facade to increase the heat gain from the sun.

Or you can minimize the windows' area to avoid direct solar radiation! 

In a too-hot, dry climate (imagine the desert), you might need some water features to cool down and wet the microclimate.

You may need to dry the moisture in a humid, hot climate (like Alexandria City, Egypt).

This is what environmental designs are mainly concerned with.

Now you are aware of Climate and Thermal Comfort. The third essential element is the building itself, which is the intermediator between human and outdoor climate. 

Finally, while you are reading this article, is your building climate responsive? Please pick up a pen and paper and sketch your insights.

Dr.Arch. Ahmed Abouaiana 04 October 2024