Architectural Sciences II

(Heating, Cooling, Ventilation)

Introduction to environmental control in
architecture
 Environment
• The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is
surrounded
• The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors
(such as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an
organism or an ecological community and ultimately
determine its form and survival
• The aggregate of social and cultural conditions that
influence the life of an individual or community
• If you mean physical environment, then it is defined as
the surrounding conditions and elements with which a
living thing interacts with.
•
The environment is the external conditions, resources,
stimuli, etc., with which an organism interacts.
• An Environment is everything that is around us, which
includes both living and nonliving things such as soil,
water, animals and plants, which adapt themselves to
their surroundings. It is nature’s gift that helps in
nourishing life on Earth.
 Environment is made up of…..

• Biotic environment–all
living organisms
• Flora (Plants)
• Fauna (animals, birds,
insects, reptiles and
microorganisms like algae,
bacteria, fungus, etc.)
• Abiotic environment–all
non-living components
• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas
Elements of the environment
Physical elements of the
environment
• Lithosphere (Solid)
• It is also known as the soil or rocks. Lithosphere is
primarily composed of the top layer of the earth or
the crust of the earth and the upper mantle. It is
found on both lands which is called the terrestrial
crust, and the oceans, where its depth can reach
up to 100 kilometers, which is called the oceanic
crust. It plays a key role in a range of things. From
mountain creation to the formation of fertile land,
the lithosphere impacts all of these phenomena
through various geological processes, such as plate
tectonics, volcano activity, and more.
• Hydrosphere (Liquid)
• Refers to all sorts of water bodies
found on Earth, such as oceans, seas,
rivers, lakes, streams, and more. It
plays a crucial role in supporting and
hosting life on this planet. The water
cycle is an important phenomenon
related to Hydrosphere. It is a
continuous cycle of water in different
forms between the Earth’s surface
and the atmosphere.
• Atmosphere (Gas)
• It is the gaseous layer enveloping or
surrounding the planet.
Biological elements of the
environment
• Flora (Plants)
• All the plant life
present in a
particular
region or time,
generally the
naturally
occurring
(indigenous)
native plants.
• Fauna (Animals)
• All animals of a
particular region,
habitat,
or geological
period
Cultural elements of the
environment
• Social – people
organize and live
together
• Cultural –
beliefs and
traditions
and practices
of people
• Political – the manner which a
country and society is governed
• Economic – production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services
Environmental Control
• One of the duties of architects is to provide comfortable internal
spaces. This can be done by controlling the physical environmental
conditions.
• Physical Environment deals with the relations of human beings with
factors as heat, humidity, wind, radiation that are climatic factors and
sound, light, etc.
• CLIMATE is the long-term averages of physical states of atmospheric conditions at a
geographical location.
• WEATHER is the momentary physical state of atmospheric conditions at a certain location.
• Climatic conditions can be controlled in two ways:
1. By the use of energy. (also called as “artificial” or “mechanical” control)
• Energy is scarce and is getting more and more expensive everyday. Energy is needed both for
industrial production and for keeping the buildings comfortable. All the countries do not
produce all the energy they need. e.g. Turkey produces less than 50 % of the energy she uses.
In average a developing country uses one-third of her overall energy to heat, cool and light
buildings.
• In our days energy is produced from:-
• Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal),
• Hydropower
• Organic material
• Wind, solar and tidal power
• Nuclear power (has environmental risks)
• Fossil fuels are not endless
2. By the use of natural means. (also called as “structural” control) - By the suitable
selection of site, orientation, building materials and building forms.
The need for environmental control in
architecture
• People spend as much as 90% of our lives indoors, according to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. So it’s vitally important in the built
environment that the indoor spaces where we live and work are optimized
for our health and wellbeing.
• Environmental control systems (ECS) play a pivotal role in ensuring that the
spaces we inhabit are appropriately ventilated and temperature-regulated.
They also have a direct impact on our personal health and well-being,
making them a crucial aspect of our daily lives.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2.3 billion people
around the world are at risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes as a
consequence of high indoor air pollution. Therefore, building design must
prioritize efficient ECS technology that creates the healthiest possible
environment for human occupation.
The need for Environmental control systems
(ECS) in buildings
• Building can cause you to feel unwell if it’s improperly managed
• Sick building syndrome (SBS) can manifest symptoms from eye and skin irritation to
respiratory infections. The primary causes are poor building ventilation, malfunctioning HVAC
systems, and poor-quality light construction.
• A building’s environmental safety and occupant health should always be a top priority in
construction.
• Indoor air quality is a core aspect of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG target
3.9.1).
• During the pandemic, airborne transmission of COVID-19 renewed focus on
ventilation, with WHO recommending stronger guidelines for environmental
control in buildings to prevent the spread of viruses.
• In commercial real estate (CRE), environmental control can also impact the
productivity of an office’s workforce.
• A 2021 study by Harvard University found that increased indoor air pollution lowers cognitive
functioning and reactive response times.
The role of ECS in building health
• In modern building design, environmental control systems are closely integrated
with building management systems (BMS) to optimize a structure’s heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus. These systems play a
significant role in creating a healthier building environment by focusing on three
key areas: temperature, air quality, and ventilation.
• Temperature Regulation: ECS maintains a comfortable temperature range, preventing
occupants from getting too hot or cold. Consistent temperature control helps produce
optimum relative humidity levels (between 40% and 60%), further improving comfort and
preventing mold development.
• Improved Air Quality: ECS can filter out harmful air pollutants, dust, and allergens. This is
especially important in modern buildings that tend to be sealed up tighter for energy
efficiency. Cleaner air reduces respiratory problems and improves overall well-being for
occupants.
• Ventilation Control: Modern ECS systems are highly efficient at bringing in fresh outdoor air
and removing stale indoor air. This helps dilute contaminants and reduce the build-up of CO2,
which can cause drowsiness and headaches
Assignment 1 – case study
• Look for an example of buildings that are successful in environmental
control system integration
 Examples of successful ECS integration
• Completed in 2022, the
Bahnstadt project in
Heidelberg, Germany is years
ahead of its time. It’s the
world’s first zero-emission city
district, far exceeding the
country’s stringent energy
efficiency standards. Homes on
the 116-hectare site use a
highly advanced ventilation
system that uses real-time data
to optimize indoor air quality
and recycle hot exhaust air for
heating.