Mahoney Tables Research Articles

Bioclimatic Design Strategies For Housing in Areas Affected by Natural Events

Objective: The objective of this study was a housing design with bioclimatic criteria and construction technology with traditional materials to propose an appropriate solution for families that suffered damage from the 2017 earthquakes in Oaxaca, Mexico. Method: A climatic characterization of the site was carried out to obtain bioclimatic strategies for the housing design. Analysis methods were used to validate these strategies such as comfort triangles and Mahoney tables. The housing was designed considering the resulting strategies and prioritized passive ones. Results and conclusions: It was obtained that for the study area the main strategies for the housing design are natural cross ventilation, thermal inertia in walls and ceilings and solar radiation during the cold months. The study highlights the importance of implementing bioclimatic design strategies according to the climatic context that promote the improvement of the habitability level of housing. Implications of the research: The research contributes to the design of a sustainable housing model for families affected in their patrimony by the action of earthquakes in the study area considering the environmental conditions, in addition to promoting the conservation of traditional architecture and construction systems. Originality/value: In the area of sustainability and the environment, a housing design was proposed that adopts practices that minimize the environmental impact and ensures that the new houses are energy efficient and environmentally friendly and adapt to climate change.

Evaluation of bioclimatic design strategies in Esfahak village using Mahoney method

PurposeDespite worldwide climate change and the problems caused by using fossil fuels, energy consumption in the world keeps rising every year. The areas with extremely cold or scorching climates are large, and significant amounts of energy are getting used in these areas for heating, cooling, and ventilation. The general purpose of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between the climatic characteristics of the Esfahak, a village located in the hot desert region of Iran, and the physical characteristics of its built environment.Design/methodology/approachThe method of this research is qualitative and somewhat descriptive-analytical. In this regard, the architectural features of Esfahak village are compared with the principles mentioned in the Mahoney tables to determine the degree of compliance of the architecture of this village with the climatic condition.FindingsThe results show that design principles have been used in all indicators discussed in the Mahoney tables. By applying these principles, not only did the acute weather conditions not prevent the initial settlement in the village location, they have not caused inhabitants to leave the site over time as well.Originality/valueThe impacts of bioclimatic design strategies on thermal comfort in hot desert regions are seldom studied. This research provides evidence-based and informed design recommendations that can help building designers and city authorities integrate bioclimatic design strategies at the earliest conceptual design phases in hot desert climates.

Building design recommendation for thermal comfort in cities on the island of Java, Indonesia

Thermal comfort is a person’s state of mind that expresses a person’s level of satisfaction with his environment. Optimal thermal comfort can be achieved by considering several factors, including building orientation, air conditioning, position and size of openings, building materials, and others. The purpose of this study is to find recommendations for designing thermal comfort in cities on the island of Java using Mahoney Tables. Mahoney Tables is a collection of reference tables used in construction as climate-friendly design references. In this study, climate and meteorological data will be taken in certain cities on the island of Java. From the results of the above discussion, it can be concluded that the building must pay attention to 4 aspects, namely openings, the building must have wide openings located on the south-north side of the building and the openings must be as high as the human body; The room must be one room without a partition; Building envelopes, buildings must be protected from direct sunlight and rain by paying attention to the selection of materials; and building utilities must pay attention to drainage. The recommendations above are expected to be used by architects/researchers who will design/research buildings to be comfortable.

Bioclimatic Design Strategies Recommendations for Thermal Comfort Using Mahoney Tables in Hot Desert Bioclimatic Region.

Thermal comfort is the result of a balanced of building frameworks adjusted to both the area of the structure just as the kind of air move performed inside the structure or the room of the structure. The aim of this research is to represent the Minia city as a case study based on the Mahoney tables method to validate the best design strategy in the hot desert bioclimatic region. Mahoney tables are a collection of referenced tables utilized in construction as a climate-appropriate design manager coupled with the meteorological data to include the right design recommendations. So, the Mahoney tables can assess the climate to be more accurately reflect the environmental conditions in the summer. Also, it can beware of the passive heating technique as natural ventilation used in the construction of energy-efficient buildings. The research proceeds with a set of conclusions and recommendations that be gotten from Mahoney tables climatic characteristics, then the design strategies were recommended. These recommendations can help architects bring forward a set of bioclimatic design strategies for buildings in Minia's environment to conduct thermal comfort with the help of the climate consultant tool.

Towards Climate Responsive Building Design: Bio-Climatic Design Features of Residential Building Typologies in the Warm-Humid Climate of Ghana

Climatic considerations in the architectural design of most contemporary buildings have not been strictly adhered to by building design and construction professionals in the last few decades in the developing world, with users being denied the inevitable interactions with the natural surroundings offered by climate. The situation leads to utilization of energy-based equipment such as air conditioner that is environmentally unsustainable. The study aimed to evaluate the bioclimatic design features of residential building typologies and to identify features that can enhance the environmental responsiveness of buildings. This study adopted the Mahoney Tables to undertake a climatic analysis to develop appropriate design guidelines for the climate context. The developed design guidelines were then used to evaluate the bio-climatic design features of a sampled number of residential building types. The study revealed that features of the buildings reflect the recommended design guidelines, but to varied extents among the building typologies that were studied. Occupants generally find their spaces unsatisfactory primarily as a result of the experience of hot discomfort. The findings are expected to engender a renewed interest in the design of buildings in response to prevailing climatic conditions to reduce reliance on energy use and to serve as a useful reference for contemporary architectural design practice and education.

Evaluating the climate-responsive design strategies of vernacular buildings in Konearirajapuram village, Nagappattinam, India

PurposeVernacular architecture is an architectural style of buildings that were constructed by artisanal builders who lacked formal qualifications, used local materials and had a deep understanding of local climatic needs. This approach addressed climatic, energy, materials and construction issues in a low-cost way. Building interiors were often made comfortable by using passive internal climate regulation methods, which could be key to resolving some of the current issues of the modern world.Design/methodology/approachTamil Nadu is a land full of local architecture, with Konearirajapuram settlement a thriving specimen of its vernacular architecture, as one of the original Vathima villages (planned Brahmin villages). Here the authors present an appraisal of this settlement's native architecture with its various passive design elements. A questionnaire survey was also conducted among local residents, living in both vernacular and contemporary residential buildings, to understand the quality of indoor environmental comfort in the different building types (single courtyard, multiple courtyards and multiple story houses with courtyards).FindingsThe results of this study show that energy-efficient bioclimatic design strategies of traditional buildings can be analyzed with the help of climatic data and analysis tools such as Mahoney tables and Olgyay's bioclimatic chart. The study shows that vernacular design techniques and principles conserve more energy than modern buildings. The findings suggest that practical solutions for improving contemporary residential developments can be found in traditional architectural approaches and that these approaches should be incorporated in new developments to achieve energy efficiency and a sustainable future.Research limitations/implicationsA detailed survey and the user preferences are plotted in detail in this paper; similarly, Mahoney table and its requirements are analyzed with respect to context; and the results are elaborated and justified.Originality/valueThis study analyzes an entire settlement of Konearirajapuram with 300 units of vernacular residences high in comfort even at extreme climates. Assessment is carried in both qualitative case and quantitative case. Even though there are no previous studies analyzed to identify the effectiveness of the artisanal builders of bioclimatic architecture. Hence, this study brings out the solution for current energy problems from the traditional settings, because the traditional buildings requires no active systems for indoor comfort except a fan, which is negligible in terms of energy use.

APPRAISAL OF THE CLIMATIC RESPONSIVENESS OF THE HEALTH CENTRE BUILDING – OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE

One intention of building design is to create a sustaining and healthy atmosphere in which we can deploy our activities, whether these activities are residential, recreational, educational, or work related. The design of a comfortable indoor climate is of great influence on occupant’s health and well-being. This study is focused on appraising the Health Centre Building of Obafemi Awolowo University`s efficiency in producing the required thermal comfort through responsiveness to the local climate or identify its deviations from this germane issue of climate responsiveness. The objectives are not different from the rationale to analyze the climatic data of its location, to identify and examine climate responsive techniques/strategies used in the building, to evaluate the thermal comfort level of users in the building, to identify strategies that could be effective in providing adequate thermal comfort in the building. The climate was analyzed using the Mahoney tables, not excluding the descriptive survey method of gathering data with the administration of questionnaires and the critical observation of the building envelopes. Results from the findings showed the lighting within the building needs to be improved upon, the building space should be made to be quite cool and some of the windows facing the east and west axis are without shading devices. The design recommendations are made on the basis of the remedial actions needed to be taken to alleviate thermal distress which included, shading devices should be provided for windows without shading and facing East or West, Exterior walls should be painted with a more reflective colour, the opening of clerestory windows more frequently can provide effective air movement in the spaces. Climate responsive architecture is very essential because it makes the building becomes an intermediary in its own energy housekeeping by opening up to the energy potential of the built environment.

Climate responsive buildings: a comfort assessment of buildings on KNUST campus, Kumasi

Purpose The ever-increasing demand and consumption of energy and the effects of global warming with its long-term comrade, climate change, is obvious today than ever before. In today’s world, naturally-ventilated buildings hardly provide the satisfaction that occupants need and wish for. It’s on this backdrop that the study aims to investigate how responsive buildings on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana campus are to its warm humid climate and assess students thermal comfort levels. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative approach was adopted for the study. Empirical investigation was carried out using the survey approach. In total, 14 buildings (offices, classrooms and halls of residences) were assessed using the Mahoney Tables. Again, subjective thermal perceptions of occupants in the halls of residences was sought. A total of 214 valid questionnaires were used for the analysis. Findings Adaptive principles like the Mahoney Tables are not followed in recent years. Even where these principles have been followed, indoor spaces were still found to be uncomfortable. In total, 58 per cent of the occupants in all the three halls of residence voted in the comfort band: an indication unacceptable sensations. Warm sensation votes (44 per cent) was more than cool sensation votes (29 per cent). In warm sensation, 39 per cent of the subjects preferred cooler environment. The occupants felt that opening windows and the use of fans could keep them comfortable. Moreover, 48 per cent of the subjects voted that their fans and windows were effective. Originality/value The papers contribution to the body of knowledge is the provision of empirical evidence in the field of adaptive designs and thermal comfort. There is a strong indication from the results that human activities in terms of blatant disregard for laid down design principles coupled with the worsening situation of global warming is making interior spaces ever uncomfortable.

Architecture analysis compatible with climate based on Mahoney tables in Hamadan (Iran)

In the architectural designing process of a building with the city's climate condition knowledge architecture in a specific period, space design patterns can be utilised to raise the welfare of residents. Utilising the data of 30 years of meteorology, climate studies results and Mahoney tables, this study examines the architecture compatible with the climate of this city, which is among the cold and historical cities of Iran. The research method is extracting the meteorology data and their analysis in the relevant tables. The research's method and nature are practical and it has been conducted to optimise buildings. In the end, architectural designing approaches for the construction of buildings, configuration, materials for construction and the level of temperature in a year, as well as the inactive architectural approaches for the supply and improvement of construction in Hamadan, have been provided.

Architecture analysis compatible with climate based on Mahoney tables in Hamadan (Iran)

In the architectural designing process of a building with the city's climate condition knowledge architecture in a specific period, space design patterns can be utilised to raise the welfare of residents. Utilising the data of 30 years of meteorology, climate studies results and Mahoney tables, this study examines the architecture compatible with the climate of this city, which is among the cold and historical cities of Iran. The research method is extracting the meteorology data and their analysis in the relevant tables. The research's method and nature are practical and it has been conducted to optimise buildings. In the end, architectural designing approaches for the construction of buildings, configuration, materials for construction and the level of temperature in a year, as well as the inactive architectural approaches for the supply and improvement of construction in Hamadan, have been provided.

Green building rating systems as a design target for public buildings: a case study analysis

Comfort of building's occupants lies at the core of building design targets. In previous researches (Mohamed and Gado 2006; Mohamed, 2009, 2013), the author of this research devised a detailed methodology to aid the integration Green Architecture Principles at the early stages of design. This methodology has been employed in several real-life building projects. This research presents one of these projects as a case study analysis. The methodology employs the environmental assessor 'leadership for environmental and energy design' (LEED) as a design target. Also, several environmental software and tools (Autodesk Ecotect, HTB2, Weather Tool, the Psychometric Chart, Mahoney Tables, the Stereograph Diagram and the Solar Tool) have been employed in the context analysis and to quantify the effectiveness of proposed passive strategies and measures on the environmental performance of the case study. The results confirmed a significant performance enhancement for the case study through applying the proposed passive solutions.

Energy Sensitive Designs: Evaluation and a Proposed Model for Residential Buildings in Warm Humid Climate

<p class="ber"><span lang="EN-GB">The warm humid climate of Osogbo is characterised by its high humidity, relatively high temperature, and four distinct major seasons. Hence, this paper is aimed at assessing the climatic responsiveness of the five major residential building design types in Osogbo with a view</span><span lang="EN-GB"> to develop an energy sensitive design framework for a warm humid climate.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> This involves synergizing the comparative advantage discovered in each design type predicated on the Mahoney Tables assessment criteria. Data were obtained through measurement and assessment of the design characteristics of 209 residential buildings design types in Osogbo. Four political wards with the predominance of each of the five building design types (namely; traditional houses, rooming-apartments, apartments, bungalows and duplexes) were purposively selected. <span>Buildings were assessed on layout (orientation), spacing between buildings, air movement (inlet/outlet), size of openings (fenestration), wall materials (thermal transmittance) and roof characteristics (thermal reflectance and transmittance). Findings revealed that the </span>bungalow designs had better orientation compared with the other buildings surveyed. The duplexes had better spacing; the rooming-apartment designs had adequate air movement. Likewise approximately 70.0% of the surveyed residential buildings had adequate fenestration. The result also revealed that approximately 90.0% had their external walls constructed with hollow blocks of low thermal transmittance and lastly 15.3% of the total residential buildings had roof of high thermal reflectance and low transmittance. Out of this percentage, the duplex building designs accounted for the majority. Finally, an energy sensitive design framework was evolved from the comparative assessment of the five residential building design types analysed.</span></p>

Thermal comfort design zone delineation for India using GIS

This paper describes a procedure devised using Geographical Information System (GIS) to delineate boundaries of zones, where any change in thermal comfort requirement indicates corresponding change in responsive building design strategies. Very high resolution interpolated climatic data subset for India has been used in this analysis so as to distinctly represent the variety of climates experienced in India. The raster datasets of climatic parameters have been analyzed in GIS to get derived and classified parameters required in the Mahoney Tables method for computation of six climatic indicators. These six indicators have been used in the selection of suitable climate-responsive building strategies from 8 strategy groups for the whole dataset. The selected strategies in 8 groups are superimposed together to identify 62 Thermal Comfort Design Zones with unique combination of building design strategies. The proposed zones can be useful in the legislative tools for implementation of energy conservation measures and sustainable building practices.

An Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Features of Buildings on Knust Campus Based on Mahoney Tables

An Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Features of Buildings on Knust Campus Based on Mahoney Tables

Thermal comfort and the Mahoney tables in Shanghai building bioclimatic design

In order to research the Shanghai building bioclimatic design strategy, the paper studies the Shanghai building with the method of Mahoney tables that are a set of reference tables used in architecture as a guide to climate-appropriate design combined with Shanghai meteorological data, and puts forward a series of building bioclimatic design strategies for Shanghai climate characteristics. Finally, according to the climatic characteristics of Shanghai and the residents’ living characteristics, the limitations of strategies proposed by the Mahoney tables were analyzed.

Climate Responsive Building Design in the Kathmandu Valley

Traditional architecture in the Kathmandu Valley is the outcome of centuries of optimization of material use, construction techniques and climate consideration. However, contemporary buildings are being built with little consideration of the climate. This study aims to explore strategies for energy efficiency and climate consciousness in modern buildings in the Kathmandu Valley. The Bioclimatic chart, Building Bioclimatic chart and Mahoney tables are used to analyse climatic parameters, and design recommendations are given based on the results of the analysis. An overview of vernacular architecture helps to understand the climatic or technological limitations of the past in order to formulate design guidelines. These guidelines provide recommendations on the orientation and layout of buildings, the size and position of openings, and the characteristics of walls and roofs.

Development of energy-efficient passive solar building design in Nicosia Cyprus

Analyses have been done on different techniques of passive solar control using local climatic data (for 25-year period) to obtain physical building design. Our main aim is to provide general and appropriate information at strategic pre-design stages to make better use of passive solar energy in urban planning and building design for better indoor ‘comfort’ climate. It utilizes manual analysis techniques or Mahoney tables and ACHIPAK to develop ‘comfort zones’, and ‘control potential zones’, for the Capital City of Nicosia (Cyprus). The use of the control potential zones (CPZs) in pre-design of buildings and their objectives are discussed. Opportunities and limitations of the pre-design guidelines are also discussed.

The bioclimatic design approach to low-energy buildings in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Formulating passive energy design strategies require an understanding of the climatic influence on buildings and the thermal comfort of their occupants. This paper presents the bioclimatic approach in building design as well as the techniques which are applied to formulate various strategies in order to achieve indoor comfort conditions. The paper deals with the Bioclimatic Chart, the Building Psychrometric Chart, Mahoney Tables and the Control Potential Zones which utilise the thermal neutrality concept. Regional climatic data from the Klang Valley area in Malaysia were utilised in formulating the design strategies. The most appropriate design strategies for hot, humid regions were then deduced. The most preferred strategies found were the use of ventilation, dehumidification and shading. Consequently, a full recommendation for the integral use of these three passive methods are suggested to be used in all buildings in Malaysia.