Abstract
In recent years the rate of buildings with large glazed facades is rapidly increasing, particularly in office buildings. Where, the creation of a suitable thermal and visual comfort is a significant factor affecting productivity. The use of large glazed facades without adapted shading measure generates thermal and visual discomfort, wich ranges from uncomfortable environment conditions to serious health effects. Specialized work and literature about performance evaluation of large glazed office buildings in relation to their environment are lacking in semi arid climates, characterized by significant intensity of solar radiations in the summer period of the year. This study investigates the impact of large glazing areas on thermal and visual comfort in a sample of naturally ventilated office building located in the semi arid climate of Algeria (36°, 17 N and 7°, 23’ E). A Post Occupancy Evaluation technique (POE), being a mainstream activity in the process of building operation phase is used for this purpose. The main objective is to stress practitioners, specifically architects, to take conscious decisions in an early phase of design process. The study clearly highlighted discomfort in the studied office building. It included unacceptable temperature arising from glazed facade; overheating due to excessive solar gains; insufficient ventilation and poor daylighting. The results indicate that such large fenestration system is not recommended in summer time. However, a judicious choice of the glazing size and type by simulation tools must balance lighting and thermal needs.
Highlights
Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) methods employ a range of techniques which include, indoor environment quality (IEQ) physical measurements, focus group meetings, structured interviews, visual records, occupant survey questionnaires, walkthroughs, and technical measurement of building structure, services and systems (Sanni-Anibire et al 2016, Leaman et al 2010).Based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 146 POE projects, Pexin et al found that POE of office buildings are typically focused on occupants’ comfort and productivity
The present analysis focuses on evaluating visual comfort based on two indicators that influence the quality of daylight; uniformity rate, and illuminance availability
The measured data have been compared to standards requirements and guidelines, such as the ISO 8995-2002 (2002) and the European norm EN 12464-1:2011 (2011)
Summary
POE methods employ a range of techniques which include, IEQ physical measurements, focus group meetings, structured interviews, visual records, occupant survey questionnaires, walkthroughs, and technical measurement of building structure, services and systems (Sanni-Anibire et al 2016, Leaman et al 2010).Based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 146 POE projects, Pexin et al found that POE of office buildings are typically focused on occupants’ comfort and productivity. A five story office building naturally ventilated is selected for a post-occupancy evaluation (Fig. 1) It is located in an urban site in Constantine city (36°, 17 N and 7°, 23’ E). Class II measuring: The monitored Southeastern office room (SE) was instrumented as follows: Three instruments were placed at three positions in the space, to measure the interior ambient temperature and air humidity. 09:26:53 13:46:53 18:06:53 22:26:53 02:46:53 07:06:53 11:26:53 15:46:53 20:06:53 00:26:53 04:46:53 09:06:53 13:26:53 17:46:53 22:06:53 02:26:53 06:46:53 11:06:53 15:26:53 19:46:53 00:06:53 04:26:53 08:46:53 13:06:53 temperature varied with a mean diurnal variation of
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