Architecture and Town Planning

This work, part of a wider study, presents a qualitative and quantitative approach to evaluate daylighting systems for use in office buildings located in latitudes where natural luminous conditions throughout the year are of high solar radiation, as in Israel. Their widespread application in this kind of climate, where the excessive penetration of direct radiation can be a problem, is possible. They can produce a consequent improvement of working conditions and energy savings, yet this is not the case now.Three different systems that affect penetration of daylight in a sidelit office space were analysed: a single window without any external protection, a horizontal lightshelf and a basic anidolic concentrator, mounted on the view window, together with improved reflectances of the surface's finishes making office space. These were simulated through Radiance in a prototype that responds to a deep office space typology for different seasons of the year and hours of the day. The systems are compared for illuminance and glare performance.

In the past years, there has been a growing interest among architects and entrepreneurs to include intelligence in buildings, as a way for achieving energy-efficient buildings that comply with stringent energy codes and national goals of reducing dangerous emissions, together with improving corporate image.The aim of this paper is to explore the influence of incorporating intelligence in buildings in hot climates, through the perspective of energy consumption and user comfort with an emphasis on lighting. The paper will show how decisions taken in the early design stages can affect those of later ones. Moreover, it will try to clarify how much building performance depends on early smart architectural design decisions (passive design strategies) or if it can be left exclusively to later intelligent technological devices (active features).By means of computer energy modelling, a prototype office unit is used to evaluate energy performance and visual comfort in three parametric series. The first one is the result of the incorporation of active features alone, the second one is guided by intelligent passive design strategies, and the third one is the combination of both approaches. Results show that a truly intelligent building needs to be the product of a design process that incorporates intelligence in all its stages while taking advantage of technological innovations.

In this work, the Solar Collection Envelope (SCE) concept is used for the generation of the self-shading envelope. The computer model SustArc was applied to create the nomogram of the Solar Collection Envelope. The model allows for the generation of the building shape in a way that the building facades are self-shaded during a required period determined by the designer. The presented method is limited to self-shading buildings and the use of additional shading devices should be considered by the designer to avoid very inclined walls. The model and algorithm for the generation of the Solar Collection Envelope are presented. The paper includes a detailed example of the implementation of the method, and the evaluation of the influence of the proposed building geometry on the energy performance of the building, based on a comparison with a traditional vertical facade building. The simulation results reveal that for all the orientations there is an important improvement in the energy performance of the building when designing according to the self-shading envelope. Similar results can be also obtained for vertical facades using high-performance low-emissivity windows. The combination of the building self-shading geometry and internal blinds provide the best solution, particularly for east and west orientations.

A model for the design of urban grids and fabric with solar rights consideration taken into account is presented. The model allows the generation and evaluation of the building configurations, preserving the solar rights of each neighboring building, as well as the open spaces among them. The model presents a nomogram of the maximum available volume in which it is possible to build without violating the solar rights of any existing building, as well as the designed one. This volume is determined by two envelopes; the "Solar Rights Envelope" and the "Solar Collection Envelope" that are defined in this paper. We call this volume the "Solar Volume". The nomogram of the solar volume allows the determination of the preferred urban street orientation, proportion, and geometry to assure solar rights to each building and to the pedestrian sidewalks, in winter, as well as shading them in summer. The method is demonstrated by a case study. The results show that it is possible to achieve a high urban density quarter without violating solar rights.

Increased awareness on environmental issues, together with requirements imposed by implementation of energy efficiency codes, has generated the need for tools that evaluate thermal performance of buildings. Their objective is to ensure compliance and certification. However, existing computer models are still rudimentary with many limitations for use in early design stages of any architectural project. They require exact data in a stage when designers consider conceptual ideas from a range of options rather than precise details and numbers. Design tools that suggest solutions based on ideas are rare. This disadvantage can be seen in the planning of intelligent facades, where the number of possible configurations can be overwhelming and decisions made in early stages have profound effects on energy and comfort performance.This paper presents NewFacades, a model that helps pass from ideas to significant concepts in the design of intelligent facades. It uses energy and visual comfort strategies abstracted from a prescriptive energy code for hot climates to suggest a range of good starting solutions. Designers can have energy and visual comfort estimations to these alternatives through an advanced stage energy simulation program such as EnergyPlus, or explore them further with other tools.Methods used by the tool are presented here in the context of sample cases. By working on energy principles or relying on local existing energy standards, the model can be extended to all types of climates.

A systematic study of building design around urban squares, while keeping the solar rights, is presented. The assessment was carried out both visually and quantitatively using the model SHADING (Solar Energy. 1994; 52-1, 27-37). The quantitative evaluation is general and allows a fast and efficient evaluation of the Geometrical Insolated Coefficient (GIC), which is the ratio between the insolated area and the total examined area. The calculation of the GIC was carried out year around for different proportions of squares and buildings heights around them. By calculating the Average GIC for Winter for each examined square, recommendations and design guidelines are derived and presented.

This work presents a simple design tool for the consideration of solar rights in urban design that was developed by the use of the computer model SustArc . This simple design tool allows the generation and evaluation of building configurations, ensuring solar rights of each neighboring building, as well as those of open spaces among them, by using the concept of solar envelopes without the need to be familiar with any specialized software. The idea of the present work is to provide the architect with simple easy to use nomograms that can help him during the early design stages to determine the open spaces and the street profile, based on the desired density level, project location and orientation. The nomograms are based on objective criteria for solar exposure of building facades for different zones of the city like the center or the periphery. The paper presents the creation process of the nomograms, and their use and application by a case study.

We present the practical application of two models SustArc (Capeluto and Shaviv 1997) and FLUENT 5.0.2 (1999 to the design of a new business district in Tel Aviv incorporating solar and wind rights. The new business district was designed as a high-density urban area and is located near an old low-rise residential quarter. SustArc was used as a design tool to create the solar envelope that shows the maximum available volume in which it is possible to build without violating the solar rights of existing residential neighborhood, the main avenues and the pedestrian sidewalks. FLUENT, on the other hand, was implemented as an evaluative tool, in a trial and error method, until a design solution could be achieved, in which the wind rights of the residential neighborhood were preserved, while ensuring tolerable winds inside the business district. The paper presents the process of sun and wind controlled planning, as well as the recommendations.

The consideration of solar rights in urban design is essential in order to allow passive heating of buildings in winter and to improve the comfort conditions of people in the street, sidewalks and open spaces. A design that doesn't consider the solar rights of buildings and open spaces may cause uncomfortable conditions inside the buildings and outdoors. This work presents a simple design tool for the consideration of solar rights in urban design that was developed by the use of the computer model SustArc. This tool allows the generation and evaluation of building configurations, ensuring solar rights of each neighbouring building, as well as the open spaces among them, by using the concept of solar envelopes, but without the need to use any specialized software. The goal of the present work is to provide the architect with simple and easy to use nomograms that can help him during the early design stages to determine the right proportions and geometry of open spaces and streets profile, based on the desired density level, project location and orientation. The nomograms are based on objective criteria for solar exposure of building facades for different zones of the city like the center, or the periphery. The paper presents the creation process of the nomograms, and demonstrates the application of these nomograms by two case studies.

We present a method, a model and a simple design tool for evaluating the construction, investment and energy costs of different possible design alternatives for grouping apartment units into a multifamily residential building. The added investment cost of each design alternative, compared with a bench-mark solution, is expressed in terms of Additional Annualized Mortgage Payment (AAMP) and is traded-off against possible saved Additional Annual Electricity Payment (AAEP) for in-house climate control. Assembling all possible examined building configurations in a graph, the axes of which are the AAMP and the AAEP, allows the designer to choose the preferred building configuration from the point of view of the consumer and the planning authorities. Such a graph can serve as a design tool that allows the architect to decide about the best building configuration, preferred proportion, orientation and number of floors, that yields the minimum energy consumption on one hand, or the minimum initial building cost on the other. On top of it, lines of equal total AAMP and AAEP can be drawn on the graph. The family of solutions that lies on the minimum annual payments can be selected. The existence of a family of solutions means that the solution is not unique, hence the optimization process does not impair the freedom of the architect to create a variety of design alternatives; on the contrary, it may inspire new innovative ideas.

Countries having climates of high solar radiation can benefit from favourable natural lighting conditions to achieve energy savings and visual comfort in office spaces. However, potential problems may arise from excessive contrast between the area close to the window and that opposite to it. Uncontrolled access of solar radiation increases thermal loads during summer, affecting airconditioning systems. Integral glazing/shading systems are rarely considered although they improve overall energy performance and provide visually comfortable uniformity. This work presents a qualitative and quantitative approach to evaluate daylighting systems for such climates. Three systems for a sidelit office space were analysed in an environment of high solar radiation: a single window without external protection, a horizontal lightshelf and a basic anidolic concentrator mounted on the view window. Radiance simulations for different seasons during the year and hours of the day were made on a prototype corresponding to a deep office space typology that includes enhanced reflectance in the surfaces' finishes. The systems are compared for illuminance and glare performance. Recommendations and architectural implications are presented and discussed.

We present a new method and the design tool MULRES-ENERGY that allows the presentation and energy usage evaluation of all possible solutions for grouping apartment units into a multifamily residential complex. This design tool may help the designer to determine the best massing configuration of the building, and its preferred proportions and orientation. Successive application of the model to many cases leads to a nomogram, in which all possible solutions of building configurations are presented, for example the number of units in the building, the number of floors, the number of apartments in each floor and the building's orientation. Since the nomogram presents all possible solutions, it does not impair the freedom of the architect to create a variety of new solutions, on the contrary, it can inspire new innovative ideas.

Facades are crucial to energy consumption and comfort in buildings. Incorporating intelligence in their design is an effective way to achieve low energy buildings. However, careful planning must be involved to reach satisfactory savings and user acceptance. The article examines the design process itself, as key to produce energy efficient buildings. Three strategies are examined: the first is dependence on active systems and element performance, the second implements intelligent passive design strategies only, while the third combines passive design strategies with early integration of active elements. Their impact on energy performance and visual comfort are compared. Although early combination of active elements and climatic principles is beneficial, there are some limitations to carry it out efficiently, among them ineffective design tools. A design tool that suggests good starting solutions is presented, which takes into account how architects work during conceptual phases. Practical guidelines are provided for design of intelligent facades in hot climates. Relevant climatic principles are stated, together with considerations on elements, users and facade operation.

The purpose of this paper is to present a simple computer-based design method to improve the thermal comfort conditions in the built environment by means of controlling winds access and therefore natural ventilation. The criterion applied to control the access or obstruction of prevailing winds in a site was the idea of desirability or undesirability of these winds. The proposed method was applied in the design process of an energy conscious urban complex, which was designed for the city of Beer Sheva situated in the north of Israel's Negev desert. The simple design tool presented here allows the consideration of the winds in a site from the very beginning of the design process as a passive cooling design strategy. r