A new simplified daylight evaluation tool, description and validation against the standard method of EN 17037

A new daylight evaluation tool using a simplified assessment method to determine the daylight quantity provided to a typical room was developed. Its calculation method is based on a set of formulas integrating the main factors characterizing the indoor space and the outdoor context. The results are expressed as a corrected Glass-to-Floor ratio (GFR*) which is used as a proxy for the daylight provision. This value can then be used to attribute a rating or “Daylight score” to each space. The main finding is that the simplified method is an easy and relatively reliable estimation for daylight provision. A comparison of the tool with detailed daylight simulations according to the daylight factor method of EN 17037:2018 shows that a high correlation is obtained. The tool is applicable for any case which has conditions matching closely to the models and situations defined. Due to its easy implementation and the limited number of input parameters this evaluation method could be well suited for building passport schemes.publishedVersio

How to transform European housing into healthy and sustainable living spaces using a Belgian case study? – the RenovActive principles tackle climate and renovation challenges

The RenovActive renovation concept seeks to offer healthy, affordable, easy to reproduce, scalable solutions for the existing building stock of European housing. The concept was developed and tested in a prototype phase, where 7 principles have been applied to a semidetached house built in the 1920s, situated in a garden city in Brussels. The renovated prototype was occupied by a family and monitored for two years. The monitoring was performed, after renovation, both through data, sensors, and extensive interviews and questionnaires with the family. In general, the family living in the house is very satisfied with the indoor environment. The results show a general indoor CO2- concentration below 900 ppm, and an indoor temperature between 21°C and 26°C. The technical and sociological monitoring show indication for the additional potential to optimize and improve indoor comfort levels and perception. As an example, there are discrepancies between setpoints and programming we initiated, based on standards and scientific inputs, based on predicted behaviors. But user interactions, and preferences in real life situation when occupying the house, as well as situational perceptions and culture, modified user setpoints compared to our initial setpoints, that in some settings could have a negative impact on the indoor environment. This indicates that a technical system operating the indoor environment must be both flexible and robust to accommodate for multiple and varying preferences of building inhabitants.publishedVersio

A new simplified daylight evaluation tool, description and validation against the standard method of EN 17037

A new daylight evaluation tool using a simplified assessment method to determine the daylight quantity provided to a typical room was developed. Its calculation method is based on a set of formulas integrating the main factors characterizing the indoor space and the outdoor context. The results are expressed as a corrected Glass-to-Floor ratio (GFR*) which is used as a proxy for the daylight provision. This value can then be used to attribute a rating or “Daylight score” to each space. The main finding is that the simplified method is an easy and relatively reliable estimation for daylight provision. A comparison of the tool with detailed daylight simulations according to the daylight factor method of EN 17037:2018 shows that a high correlation is obtained. The tool is applicable for any case which has conditions matching closely to the models and situations defined. Due to its easy implementation and the limited number of input parameters this evaluation method could be well suited for building passport schemes

How to transform European housing into healthy and sustainable living spaces using a Belgian case study? – the RenovActive principles tackle climate and renovation challenges

The RenovActive renovation concept seeks to offer healthy, affordable, easy to reproduce, scalable solutions for the existing building stock of European housing. The concept was developed and tested in a prototype phase, where 7 principles have been applied to a semidetached house built in the 1920s, situated in a garden city in Brussels. The renovated prototype was occupied by a family and monitored for two years. The monitoring was performed, after renovation, both through data, sensors, and extensive interviews and questionnaires with the family. In general, the family living in the house is very satisfied with the indoor environment. The results show a general indoor CO2- concentration below 900 ppm, and an indoor temperature between 21°C and 26°C. The technical and sociological monitoring show indication for the additional potential to optimize and improve indoor comfort levels and perception. As an example, there are discrepancies between setpoints and programming we initiated, based on standards and scientific inputs, based on predicted behaviors. But user interactions, and preferences in real life situation when occupying the house, as well as situational perceptions and culture, modified user setpoints compared to our initial setpoints, that in some settings could have a negative impact on the indoor environment. This indicates that a technical system operating the indoor environment must be both flexible and robust to accommodate for multiple and varying preferences of building inhabitants

Epidemiology of Burkholderia cepacia complex colonisation in cystic fibrosis patients

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe