Daylighting

There is a Terrific article on daylighting in the April 2007 Issue of Green Source magazine. Here's a link:

Solar Memory - Green Source April 2007

Week 7 Assignment

Sorry to not post sooner.

As we discussed in class, this week's assignment is to design a passive solar space for your building. It can be a part of the project, or an addition, if that makes it easier to think about.

With words and drawings as needed, show how the space works, and what the key elements are. Tell whether the space you have designed is a

1) direct gain space
2) trombe wall, or
3) sun space

Indicate how much glazing, and how much thermal mass is required to make the space work, and show where each element is located.

Field Trip Info

Were going to the Artists for Humanity Epicenter, located at 100 W. Second Street, in South Boston. It's a short walk from the Broadway Station on the Red Line. We'll start at 4:30PM, but it's OK if you come a little late. We have to be finished by 6PM.

Here's a map - The building is at "A"

Week 6 Assignment

This week, we look at basics of natural ventilation and passive cooling.

For your assignment, I want you to devise a scheme for natural ventilation for the project you have been working with since the first week of class. (You can do the entire building, or if the building is large, just pick a portion.) Using the information in the lecture as well as in the readings in Lechner, develop a plausible natural ventilation scheme. Describe it in words and pictures, as necessary. Important elements of your submission:

1) explain what the driver for air movement will be - is it stack driven ventilation, or wind driven?
2) describe the key elements, and the factors that are necessary for success. (for example, window size, relation to prevailing wind, etc.

Assignment Week #5

Due Oct 11, 2007

For your project you will calculate the peak heat loss, the balance point temperature, and estimate the building annual heating costs, using methods outlined in Sun Wind & Light.

1. Using Method #15 from Sun, Wind and Light, calculate the skin heat flow in BTU / (hr – sf – deg F)

2. Using Method #17 from Sun, Wind and Light, calculate the ventilation or infiltration gain/loss in BTU / (hr – sf – deg F)

3. Determine your total conductive heat flow in BTU / (hr – deg F). To do this, add the results from #1 and #2 above together, and multiply by your building floor area.

4. Using your peak winter design conditions, estimate the maximum heat loss in Btu/hr. To do this:

Q= #3 x (Ti-To)

5. Estimate your heat gains from occupants, lights, and equipment, using Methods #12, #13, #14 from Sun, Wind and Light. Your result should be in BTU/(hr-sf)

6. Using Method #22 in Sun, Wind and Light, calculate your balance point temperature in deg F. Explain what your result tells you.

7. Find the number of heating degree days for your project. (Use the appendix of SWL, or information you have already gathered.) If your heating system has an AFUE of 85%, and natural gas costs $1.50 per 100,000 BTU, find the total annual heating cost for the building, using the equation:

Cost = ($ x K x HDD x 24 )/ efficiency

Where K = total heat flow in BTU/ (hr – deg F) (i.e. the answer to #3 above)

Assignment Week #3

For the project and site you have completed your climate analysis on, I want you to identify three building strategies which are responsive to the climate of your site. For each strategy, provide a brief description of the strategy, including written narrative and or sketches, as appropriate. Explain why you feel the strategy is appropriate, and outline the specific benefits this strategy may bring to the project.

Assignment Week #2

For the architectural project you selected last assignment, compile a climate analysis. If you can’t find your precise location, you can choose a location that is at approximately the same latitude and has a similar climate.

Compile the following information:

• A sunpath diagram for your site (you can use the website http://solardat.uoregon.edu/PolarSunChartProgram.html or an appropriate sunpath diagram from Appendix A of Lechner)
• A wind rose diagram
• A qualitative description of the climate
• The annual range of temperature and relative humidity
• The annual wind speeds
• The annual % sunshine
• The annual heating and cooling degree-day
• A bioclimatic chart for your project site (download Climate Consultant 3 from http:// http://www2.aud.ucla.edu/energy-design-tools/ , create one by hand using Part 18 of Sun Wind & Light, or find the appropriate bioclimatic chart from Appendix A of Lechner)

Provide a brief description of the site, including any microclimate effects.

Compile the information into a single document.