John Counsell

Assessing retrofitted external wall insulation using infrared thermography

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodology and results of using thermography for pre‐retrofit (pre‐R:T) and post‐retrofit (post‐R:T) surveys undertaken to qualitatively assess retrofitted external wall insulation (EWI) on pre‐1919 existing dwellings with solid exterior walls.Design/methodology/approach – This study involved undertaking qualitative thermography surveys before and after installation of EWI at two mid‐terrace dwellings in Swansea (UK). One dwelling was part of a whole‐street approach and the other was an isolated installation.Findings – The two case studies have provided evidence of potential thermal bridges created as a result of an incomplete covering of EWI. Whilst overall heat loss appears to have been reduced, further evidence is required to establish the extent to which these thermal bridges reduce overall thermal performance.Research limitations/implications – Only two schemes undertaken in Swansea (UK) are represented in this study and are therefore not a refle...

In-Construction Testing of the Thermal Performance of Dwellings Using Thermography

If the UK target for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 is to be achieved in practice, and not just in theory, considerable attention will need to be paid to closing the gap between designed and built performance. Physical test methods capable of providing evidence that the design thermal performance of the building fabric is achieved in construction will be a key element in seeking to close this gap. This paper presents an argument for developing test methods suitable for in-construction testing, and explores the benefits and limitations of thermal imaging techniques (thermography). The method and findings of a pilot thermography study are reported, which identifies some practical considerations for the use of the technique on a “live” construction site. The paper will be of interest to thermography practitioners, housing developers and researchers interested in methods of investigating the thermal performance of energy efficient dwellings.

Evaluation of 3D Visualisation in the Virtual Environmental Planning Systems Project

The Virtual Environmental Planning systems project (VEPs) proposed an alternative approach to planning consultation by allowing people to view and leave comments about planning developments using 3D visualization software in a web browser, within the context of an existing landscape or cityscape.The software developed by VEPs allows users to freely explore and interact with 3D models and make comments directly via an online system, which could be accessed from their ‘home’ PC over a ‘normal’ broadband connection at any time. Anyone accessing the web applications would be able to view & share comments online.The evaluation focused on gathering information about: what users thought of the proposed approach to planning consultation; what users thought of the tools developed and the use of 3D; if and how the VEPs tools could practically benefit public participation in the planning consultation process. The results will be of value to those engaged in the public use of 3D visualization, e-Planning, and e-consultation or collaboration.

Web-Mediated Student Peer Group Assessment of Building Information Modelling Performance

This paper describes an innovative development in the Cardiff School of Art and Design, whereby architectural design and technology students upload their 3D CAD based Building Information Models (BIM) in Industry Foundation Class (IFC) file format to a project website, for evaluation by their peers deploying automated code compliance model checking software, and receive feedback and commentary through the same website. The use of automated compliance checking software has already been found to accessibly and visibly demonstrate that a much wider range of useful information than the purely pictorial can be measured, calculated, and derived from the model once constructed. This begins to expose students to those forms of information, beyond simple communication between designer and constructor, that are likely to be needed in analyzing and delivering sustainable design and performance throughout the operational lifecycle of the building to its eventual demolition and re-cycle.

The Importance of Micro-climate Modification for Adaptation of Welsh Housing to Climate Change

This paper addresses opportunities for adaptation of the microclimate surrounding housing in response to climate change. It is based on study of an existing town and two local social housing organisations in South Wales, UK. It argues the design of external spaces around dwellings will become more important as changes in lifestyle and levels of outdoor activity are likely to increase, in natural response to changed climatic conditions. It suggests that: in South Wales housing is still being built that, in its fabric, risks overheating within perhaps two decades ( some overheating is already experienced); hence that external contextual environment adaptation measures may become increasingly critical; and that current regulations and codes focus overmuch on the building, so the external contextual environment is not addressed with the importance it deserves. This is compounded because mastery of integrated micro-climate simulation with building and urban modelling tools is a challenge for the average architectural designer. More data, more research, better tools and file data exchange are held necessary.

The Potential of Living Labs for Smart Heritage Building Adaptation

This paper examines: smart buildings as part of ‘smart cities’; the particular challenges of heritage buildings; whether smart heritage buildings have any specific characteristics; the lack of data to inform appropriate refurbishment and retrofit; the emerging potential of technologies to engage people in acquiring that data and build bridges towards smart heritage, so easing the task of sustaining heritage buildings for the benefit of current and future generations; and ‘Living Labs’ as a key enabler. It is increasingly argued that there is a need to involve citizens in city development, so urban areas may be rendered more suitable to their needs and social problems be prevented. Meanwhile it is held that the value and significance of Heritage buildings and landscapes needs to be maintained, despite increasing pressures to adapt all building stock to address climate change and reduce increasingly expensive energy use. To convincingly engage citizens, such adaptation needs to enhance rather than reduce quality of life for users. Over the last decade there has been a move to repeated post-occupancy evaluation (POE), including some heritage building stocks, to ensure these goals continue to be achieved. Yet it can be argued that the number of such POE studies is limited by shortages of expertise, to the extent that in most cases we still lack sufficient data about the existing building stock, and in particular Heritage buildings, to make reliably informed judgements on suitable adaptation and mitigation measures. Simultaneously the sustainable transformation of Heritage buildings and landscapes into Smart Heritage can be held to be a key component in the metamorphosis of existing cities into Smart Cities. Thus this paper examines how Living Lab processes of engagement may deliver innovative approaches to POE, and thus support the scaling and speeding up of the transformation of Heritage into Smart Heritage.

An Exploration of Design Alternatives Using Dynamic Thermal Modelling Software of an Exemplar, Affordable, Low Carbon Residential Development Constructed by a Registered Social Landlord in a Rural Area of Wales

Pembrokeshire Housing Association (PHA) a registered social landlord, based in Haverfordwest, Wales, UK, have developed six low carbon houses to meet Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) level four, as part of an exemplar scheme for the Welsh Government’s CfSH pilot project. A tried and tested methodology was adopted in developing the PHA’s pilot project houses that meant alternative low and zero carbon design methods were not fully explored. This paper employs comparative analysis to evaluate the final PHA scheme against other design options in order to assess alternative low energy approaches that might have been considered during the design of the project. Dynamic thermal modelling is used to assess and compare the design options in which the following are considered: building form; use of the thermal mass within the building fabric; design of the external envelope; and passive solar design strategies. The discussion considers the implications of the results with regard to approaches to low carbon design, as part of a doctoral research project, by the lead author on to develop innovative, affordable, low carbon housing in rural areas of Wales, UK.

Some Drivers towards 3D Digital Master-Plan Visualisation in the UK

Master-planning in general, more particularly 3Dinterpretative visualisation of Master-plans, has not been the norm in the UK planning process. However the advent of the new Localism Bill, proceeding through the UK parliament, gives some indication that these will become much more common in English practice. It is argued that English planning departments will need to move towards implementing 3D Planning constraint exploration tools and standards for which they have little experience. In German planning in particular there have been many initiatives that point the way towards standards for master plan visualisation. SmartCodes in the US indicate a similar approach for regulatory checking. The Localism Bill is likely also to require substantial inclusive consultation and collaboration with neighbourhood groups. Tools for inclusive collaborative engagement were trialled in the VEPs Interreg IIIB project. This paper predicts that the combination of these or similar approaches will become necessary to cope with the demand.