Aural related implications of the open plan office

Theme: Fifty years later: Revisiting the role of architectural science in design and practiceThe open plan office is now a standard design approach for new and retrofitted commercial buildings. The open work environment is considered to improve communication and collaboration between colleagues, facilitating more efficient and faster responsiveness and decision making. The removal of walls in open plan offices allows for an increase in the density of occupants and is also advantageous in aiding effective air distribution. However, research has shown that the benefits of improved access to colleagues can be overshadowed by the impact of increased noise, visual related disturbances and a loss of privacy. This paper reports on a post occupancy evaluation of a number of commercial office buildings (Green Star rated and non-rated buildings) in Adelaide, South Australia, focusing on acoustic privacy in the buildings as perceived by the occupants. The evaluation found that occupants in the Green Star rated buildings had a decreased satisfaction when compared to the occupants in the non-rated buildings particularly in relation to their perceptions of noise overall, noise generated from within and outside of the building, the frequency of unwanted interruptions and also privacy. Occupants expressed concern that these factors were affecting their overall comfort, productivity and health. The similarities and differences between the buildings and their occupants will be discussed. Through identifying and learning from the aspects impacting on aural comfort, we can change our approach to the design of work places and improve the built environment.Vanessa Menadue and Veronica Soebart

Design and validation of a low cost indoor environment quality data logger

Theme: Fifty years later: Revisiting the role of architectural science in design and practiceThe appraisal of indoor environment quality in residential dwellings presents a range of technical challenges. Indoor environment quality (IEQ) is often described as having thermal, visual, aural and olfactory dimensions, each of which is assessed subjectively by the resident. While it is possible to objectively assess physical parameters relating to each aspect of IEQ, either directly or indirectly, resident satisfaction with the environment is determined subjectively so must be inferred. In the field study of thermal comfort (FSTC) approach, objective physical measurements are collected simultaneously with resident preference and sensation information, usually via a diary or written survey. This research paper explores a new approach to residential IEQ appraisal which extends the FSTC approach to the visual, aural and olfactory dimensions using a low cost data collection system based upon the Arduino microcontroller platform. The paper describes the design developed, presents early validation results and draws preliminary conclusions.Andrew Carre, Terence Williamson and Veronica Soebart

Thermal experiences of older people during hot conditions in Adelaide

Theme: Fifty years later: Revisiting the role of architectural science in design and practiceThis study examined the thermal experiences of older people during extreme heat and summer more broadly. A longitudinal field study of thermal comfort and thermal acceptability of conditions during summer 2015-16 was conducted as part of a larger project into the overall thermal comfort of older people in Adelaide, South Australia. The experiences and preferences of the participants were arranged into 3 categories: acceptable thermal sensation votes, warm and hot thermal sensation votes and votes recorded on extreme heat days when the maximum outdoor temperature was 35º Celsius or above during the study period. In each category, participants reported sensations of ‘warm’ and ‘hot’ within the acceptable range of operative temperature and humidity suggested by ASHRAE Standard 55. Participants also expressed a desire to feel cooler within this acceptable range, and described conditions within this range as ‘thermally unacceptable’. These results show that older people may be experiencing thermal conditions differently to younger people. Specifically, it appears that these articipants have a desire for cooler temperatures than predicted by ASHRAE Standard 55. The study poses a series of challenges for future research to ensure comfortable and healthy homes for ageing Australians.Rachel Bills, Veronica Soebarto and Terence Williamso

Investigation of thermal comfort and airflow in a naturally ventilated lightweight house in a bush fire prone area

Building performance simulation has been utilised for the investigation of thermal comfort and airflow within a naturally ventilated, self-sufficient house in a bushfire prone area. Lightweight construction with Phase Change Materials (PCM) was proposed as an appropriate solution to respond to the brief. The simulations modelled the effects with and without PCM, to demonstrate the reduction in temperature swings throughout design days. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to graphically model the air velocity and temperature gradients and produced results to highlight design parameters that can assist airflow. Limitations of the software are discussed particularly in relation to assisted ventilation from ceiling fans, and miscellaneous heat gains of a fire stove, which could not be simulated effectively.Yanni Papadopoulos, Veronica Soebart

History matters: the origins of biophilic design of innovative learning spaces in traditional architecture

Recent empirical studies have shown a positive correlation between nature, the built environment and creativity in the human brain. During the medieval Islamic Golden Era, higher education buildings of non-medical ‘madrasa’ and medical ‘bimaristan’ institutions applied specific techniques and strategies so that human intellectual curiosity could flourish through direct and indirect contact with nature. In contrast, the architecture of modern universities has lessened students’ multi sensory focus and engagement with nature. Several studies have addressed these institutions’ failure to foster the innovation-generation process. This systematic review summarises and synthesises previous studies, elaborating the characteristics of those spaces that can host Innovation-Generation Processes (IGPs) based on psychological and neurological investigation. The study analyses research outcomes that support the stimulative impact of nature on people’s cognitive capacities. This demonstrates that the biophilic design approach utilises natural conditions and elements within the built environment to enhance the physical, social, intellectual and psychological status of innovators. The findings of this study demonstrate a strong interrelationship between IGPs and the built environment in traditional higher education institutions based on the premise of biophilic design. Hence, we can adopt some lessons from these ‘timeless’ buildings to support the evolution of innovative university campuses today.Mohamed S. Abdelaal, Veronica Soebart

Estimated Savings from Turning Off Unnecessary Lights at the Langford Architecture Center During the 1996 Christmas Holidays

During the 1996 Christmas holidays the College of Architecture initiated a trial program to turn off unnecessary lights during unoccupied periods. This effort targeted the unnecessary lights in all studios, classrooms, labs and offices. Had those lights been left on, the building would have consumed 100 kW more electricity every hour. The total electricity savings was about 31,200 kWh over 13 days, which is equivalent to a total cost saving of $936.00. If the College continues to turn off unnecessary lights during unoccupied periods, the estimated annual cost savings would be$13,711, which is 40% of the target savings estimated in the test we performed earlier in 1996. Labor costs to accomplish a manual shutdown are approximately $96.00 per week. If this is deducted from the annual cost savings, the lighting turn-off program still saves about$8,632 per year

Limitations of building performance simulation: modelling a building with gabion walls

Simulations were conducted to optimize the design of a small building with walls constructed of limestone filled gabion baskets. Different methods of insulating and weatherproofing the gabion walls were compared, with the indoor operative temperatures in the summer design week providing the critical comparison. The performance of the gabion building was compared with that of more conventional construction types to demonstrate the superior thermal performance of gabions in a temperate climate (Australia). This paper also addresses an issue with simulating gabion walls. Due to the inconsistent nature of gabion walls, the simulation requires the thermal properties of the gabion walls to be approximated as the simulation program cannot accurately model the voids and variations in a gabion wall. The material simplifications are discussed and the buildings thermal performance with these assumptions are analysed.Lydia Kairl, Veronica Soebart

Thermal Comfort Study in a Naturally Ventilated Residential Building in a Tropical Hot-Humid Climate Region

This paper presents a thermal comfort study in a naturally ventilated residential building located in a tropical hot-humid climate region. The specific objective of this study is to investigate whether thermal comfort in this house can be achieved through a passive system only. The methods used in this study included conducting hourly monitoring of the temperature and relative humidity; measuring the air velocities; and assessing occupants' thermal sensations through questionnaires and interview. The data from the questionnaires were matched to the monitored data to assess the acceptable range of comfortable condition. Then using an hourly simulation program, some components of the building were also "modified" to investigate whether the building can be made "more comfortable". This study shows that it is possible to provide a thermally comfortable space in this region without using mechanical air-conditioning systems. The occupants' acceptable range of comfortable condition is different than that of people in the northern latitudes. The occupants sensed "neutrality" when the operative temperature in the house was about 27 degree Celsius (80°F). The occupants could also tolerate slightly warm conditions, that is up to 29 degree Celsius (84OF), and still never wanted to install any air-conditioning systems. The simulation showed that using light wall materials would result in cooler indoor temperature at night but warmer during the day. If all windows were opened (25% the total floor area) the house could be more comfortable at night but less comfortable during the day. Findings of this study are important for architects and engineers in designing comfortable living spaces in these regions

Design optimization of insulated cavity rammed earth walls for houses in Australia

Abstract not availableXiang Dong, Veronica Soebarto, Michael Griffit

A Calibration Methodology for Retrofit Projects Using Short-Term Monitoring and Disaggregated Energy Use Data

This paper presents an improved methodology to calibrate energy simulation models to better represent the actual energy use breakdowns in existing buildings. The goal of this methodology is to help architects and engineers accurately determine the current energy use and identify any energy-related problems in the building before proposing the retrofit design solutions, without conducting long-term monitoring. The methodology includes procedures to conduct systematic data collection, "on-off' tests to determine the power densities of the electrical loads, up to four weeks of building energy monitoring to derive the energy use profiles and temperature settings, and disaggregation of the measured energy use data. The procedures also utilize the monthly utility billing records and site weather data. The calibration to the measured data is done on both hourly and monthly basis. The procedures are built into a computer program and integrated with previously developed simulation software. The user interface of the program includes guidelines to help the user decide which simulation input variable has to be altered in order to match the measured data. It also produces graphical outputs to help in visualizing the results, and several guidelines to help study different retrofit strategies after the model has been calibrated