ELEMENT:
The effect of the surrounding built environment on the Healthy Home.
AIM:
During the initial design stages of the project, the area surrounding
the site was analysed to see how the existing buildings affect the site
in terms of solar and breeze access.
STRATEGY:
Optimise Passive Design
The Healthy Home is located four blocks away from the Pacific Ocean.
A mixture of building types from high rise to low rise apartments surround
the house. In the immediate area buildings can be built to five storeys
in height. Overshadowing from surrounding buildings is not an issue although
access to the breeze is reduced due to the positions of these buildings.
The two storey buildings adjacent to the house and significant landscape
objects cause the prevailing breeze to be redirected. The design of the
house took these objects into consideration during the design stages.
A controlled water flume test was carried out to see how the building
would react within the parameters of the surrounding buildings and landscape
objects.
To test how the building would react to the prevailing breezes a scaled
model (1:100) of the building was constructed using a combination of cardboard
and custom wood. The model included all the major openings in the facade
and internal walls of the building. It was placed in a large water tank
designed for the purpose of simulating airflow.
The water flow can be calibrated to the likely wind speeds on the site
and obstructions used to represent the surrounding buildings. The outcomes
from modelling gave insight into the effects of the wind through the breezeway
and the pop-up roof system. As a consequence a number of modifications
to the design were made.
- The pop-up roof areas were reduced in size
- The walls to the master bedroom were constructed as louvred openings
to improve air flow
REFERENCE:
Hyde, R, Climate Responsive Design. A Study of Buildings in Moderate
and Hot Humid Climates. E and FN Spon, London 2000.
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