John Martin Evans

Evaluating comfort with varying temperatures: a graphic design tool

This paper considers the need to define comfort of indoor and outdoor spaces in relation to the daily variations of temperature. A graphical tool is presented, which indicates the daily swings of temperature, shown as a single point on a graph representing the average temperature and the maximum temperature swing. This point can be compared with the comfort zones for different activity levels, such as sedentary activity, sleeping, indoor and outdoor circulation according to the design proposals for different spaces. The graph allows the representation of climatic variables, the definition of comfort zones, the selection of bioclimatic design resources and the evaluation of indoor temperatures, measured in actual buildings or obtained from computer simulations. The development of the graph is explained and examples given with special emphasis on the use of thermal mass.

Application of microclimate studies in town planning: A new capital city, an existing urban district and urban river front development

The knowledge obtained from urban thermal studies needs to be transferred to planners and architects in such a way that this can influence the approach to physical planning and be applied in practice. Three case studies illustrate the possibilities and limitations of applying urban climate control measures to improve living conditions. The climate and microclimate impact studies and design recommendations were carried out by the authors for the project of a new city, the revision of the planning code for an urban district of a large metropolitan region and an urban waterfront development. The differences between the research environment and the planning context are stressed in terms of time scale, priorities and application possibilities.

Sustainable urban development: Design guidelines for warm humid cities

Variations in climate affect living conditions, the quality of urban areas and comfort in indoor and outdoor spaces. These in turn, are related to energy demand in buildings, the role and use of vegetation as well as requirements for urban infrastructure. However, urban design often ignores local requirements as a result of global trends and international influences. This paper presents a case study of urban design guidelines for warm humid climates, based on the analysis of climatic variables and comfort requirements. Warm humid climates require new urban design approaches in the present situation of rapid economic and social development in the context of increasing globalization. The potential and intensity of outdoor space use can be increased through appropriate urban design, while unsuitable solutions have a long term negative impact. The design guidelines presented stress the link between problem definition, objectives and proposed design solutions to make the reasons for design recommendations explicit.

Bridging the gap between climate and design: A bioclimatic design course for architectural students in Argentina

Abstract Architects in Argentina practise in a wide variety of climates which stretch from the tropics to Antarctica. A specialized course for architectural students has been developed in the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning at Buenos Aires University which incorporates bioclimatic concepts in the design teaching process. Three ideas have guided the development of this course: firstly, that students should discover for themselves the requirements for each climate; secondly, that techniques and concepts of climatic design are best understood when they are applied in a design project; finally, that the teaching of climatic design for architects must include the urban scale. The course allows the students to discover the differing character of designs in a regional context through a comparison between proposals for a variety of climates. This paper presents the theoretical basis of the course, the development during six years, the course structure, the climatic design techniques that are used, and the resulting projects which illustrate the relation between specific climate conditions and the design of building groups.

Climate and urban planning: The example of the planning code for Vicente Lopez, Buenos Aires

Abstract This paper analyses the existing urban development, the economic context, the legal framework and the climatic requirements that shaped the proposals for the Revised Planning Code of the Municipality of Vicente Lopez in the Greater Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. Due to the extensive existing urban development, land sub-division and strong real-estate pressures, there are limited opportunities for urban planning decisions which respond to climatic requirements. However, the climate-conscious planning and design measures described in this paper were incorporated in the new code in order to promote better microclimatic and environmental conditions.

Renewable energy and wild life conservation: Design and construction of a solar incubator

This paper presents the design, construction and results of a solar powered incubator and pools for rearing yacare, a specie of the crocodile family, found in northern Argentina. The design was developed by the Research Centre Habitat & Energy, Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism, Buenos Aires University in the framework of a Cooperation Agreement with the Argentine Wild Life Foundation. The installation, located in a Wild Life Refuge in a remote sub-tropical area of the Chaco Province in the north-east region of Argentina, consists of an incubation chamber for hatching the yacare with strict temperature conditions, pools for rearing the young during a year, heated by solar energy, an auxiliary wood-fired water heater and PV system to power the pumps control system and other minimal requirements such as lighting. The concepts, system development and integration, construction process and measured performance are presented together with the first results of this project which integrates low impact renewable energy systems to support the conservation of an endangered specie.

Development of solar energy education IASEE-Argentina, Arquisur and Alfa-Built

Three educational experiences are presented in this paper based on the development of national and regional networks to incorporate renewable energy in curricular programmes. IASEE-Argentina, established in 1990 as the National Section of IASEE, the International Association for Solar Energy Education, was designated in 1993 as the Education Working Group of ASADES, the Argentine Association of Solar Energy. It holds annual meetings to coincide with the ASADES conference. Arquisur is a regional network established by Architectural Faculties of State Universities within the Mercosur Region, covering Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, to promote exchange and development between the 19 faculties involved. A Working Group set up by Arquisur with members from four countries developed the programme for short post-graduate courses on bioclimatic design and rational energy use in buildings, which has been given in Argentina and Uruguay. Alfa-Built, a project supported by the European Union for promoting academic exchange in the field of energy efficient building is also introduced. This paper presents the development and initial results of these educational experiences.

Design of a solar plant for processing honey

This paper presents the concept and design of a honey processing plant for a rural area in Central Argentina. This requires a heating process with a maximum temperature of 70°C for which solar energy is highly suitable. Flat plate collectors are connected to horizontal storage and processing tanks to achieve a passive system without auxiliary energy requirements. The simple operation of the low cost plant allows the processing of a high quality product with unskilled labour. The general characteristics of the plant are presented together with details and dimensions of the components in addition to a cost-benefit analysis. Technical features of this solar energy application and the social and economic benefits are considered in the conclusions.

Teaching architects low energy and climate concious design

Two new courses presented in this paper aim to improve the architects capacity to design low energy buildings using a project based approach, as the principles of bioclimatic design are best incorporated during project development. The first is an intensive regional course programmed by professors from 6 faculties which form the Energy & Habitat International Working Group. This course aims to promote bioclimatic design and energy concious architecture within the Mercosur Region. The second, a one-year postgraduate course of the architectural faculty, is aimed primarily at architects and planners applying climate sensitive design in practice, though the course is also planned for training researchers, specialists and teachers.

Natural conditioning for the national archive building. Studies for a low energy retrofit

The Argentine national archives, to be rehoused in a specially refurbished building, require strict air quality conditions to protect this valuable collection of documents. This paper presents the environmental requirements and the design concepts that were incorporated in the architectural project. The double skin with super insulation and high inertia achieves a notable reduction in the installed air-conditioning capacity and projected energy consumption as well as providing a high degree of natural protection in the case of a failure of the conventional energy supply. The paper emphasizes the importance of building design for low energy architecture.