Expertise

1. Expertise
2. Environmental Building Analysis

Environmental Building Analysis

Sustainable or ‘Green’ Building design is a multidisciplinary method concerned with developing holistic and integrated passive and active strategies, that respond to climatic conditions and enhance occupant comfort and well-being. Below is a list of expertise and techniques that we employ to develop bespoke sustainable design solutions to suit the project needs.

COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS (CFD)
It is known that aerodynamics studies are often used in the automotive and aeronautical industries. These studies used to be painstakingly time consuming and complex. Now with the help cheaper computing power and user-friendly software, it can be applied to building massing design. Wind simulations are more common now for building to ensure good ventilation, improve human comfort and better energy efficient design.

DPSD can assist designers make informed decisions in their concept stages massing study early onto the project to optimise design. Avoid unwanted wind tunnel effects, dead air zones or even turbulent areas.

Wind Load on Façade
CFD simulation is able to accurately capture the wind load on tall buildings, billboards or other external building fixtures. Our method of using computer simulation is accurate and cost effective compared to experimental methods such as using wind tunnels. Computer simulation where no physical model is required hence design changes can be quickly tested and large size (scale) testing can be done without affecting the physics. This allows architects and engineers to test their designs and better estimate twisting and bending of structures on top of standard code calculations.

Thermal Comfort
DPSD can perform both macro and micro level comfort studies. Macro level studies are performed for large scale projects with multiple buildings where the client have concerns regarding pedestrian comfort or even comfort at uniquely activated outdoor spaces.

These studies combine heat gain for solar radiation, shadowing effect from surrounding masses or landscape and finally natural wind. Based on the results, mitigation measures are recommended to improve the overall experience.

Separately micro level studies focus mainly on internal layouts of buildings. These studies are used to ensure sufficient ventilation in common spaces which are deep in buildings or even cross ventilation for dwelling units. Our specialist uses the results to advise designers how to best optimise their design by making small but most effective changes to achieve the desired outcome.

On top of that, we can also simulate mechanically assisted ventilation (fans) may it be for dwelling units or even large atrium spaces. The simulation results are used to assist the designers on the type of fans to use, the placement of fans and the quantity of fans required, to ensure the comfort of the space is met.

Metrics such as PMV (Predicted Mean Vote), PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied), SET* (Standard Effective Temperature), UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) etc. can also be applied to the simulated variables to have a standardised gauge of comfort.

HVAC Design
CFD simulation is also used for validation of HVAC design, examine the effectiveness ensuring type of diffusers, the placements coupled with supply velocity and temperature meets the space conditioning requirement. CFD results from HVAC simulation can be used to further optimise the system as different combinations can be simulated, which translates to energy savings.

HVAC systems at data centres and server rooms often consume large amounts of energy. Using CFD a versatile tool, these systems can be studied in detail to safely improve efficiency, save energy and identify any cost cutting opportunities.

Separately, competitive sports venue such as badminton that have stringent air velocity requirement also use CFD for HVAC design validation to ensure spectators comfort is guaranteed while the game play is not affected.

Pollution Dispersion
Good ventilation is very critical for achieving good indoor air quality. CFD is often used to study ventilation strategies, ensure quick and efficient removal of pollutants from occupied spaces. These type studies are conducted for Operating Theatres, Laboratory Clean Rooms, Basement Carparks, etc. Different kind of particles or chemistry of pollutants can be applied and simulated accurately.

Wind Driven Rain
Wind and rain may interact with a building’s form to cause rainwater to move and accumulate in unexpected ways. Using CFD model of the site and surrounding environment to simulate rains at different wind directions and speeds. Rain droplet diameters can be adjusted to represent different rain events.

SOLAR SHADING ANALYSIS
The sun is a major source of energy and has a large impact on building performance. There already exists information for the recommended building orientations in each climate type, but the contextual shading would also play a part in improving performance. Solar shading simulations are highly relevant especially during the earlier stages of design as they can give a good idea about potential overexposed zones.

DPSD has a suite of validated tools which can help designers to better understand the potentials of their design. Optimise a design to the contextual situation, avoid overheating situations and have a better guide towards improved thermal comfort.

Shadow Studies
The sun changes position across the day and across the year. As such, it is important to identify the range of possible shadows cast by the surrounding buildings. Computer simulations can capture the interaction between building and the sun path to better predict real life shadow behaviour. This helps designers with space planning with regards to diurnal and annual patterns

PV Optimisation
PV placement is gaining traction in the market due to improved product efficiency and also better integration with façade designs. With limited real estate on a building exterior, it is important to identify the best location for PVs. Simulations can identify shaded areas and also the amount of solar energy incident on a particular spot. This can provide early estimation of potential solar energy yield.

Plant Growth
Light is vital to a plant's growth and survival. The right light spectrum, light intensity and light duration all work together to trigger plant flowering, growth and reproduction. Simulations can quantify the amount of PAR, a portion of light spectrum utilised by plants for photosynthesis and also the sunlight duration on a particular greenery area.

DAYLIGHTING
The sun is a major light source and when harnessed, it can reduce reliance on electrical lighting. The two key parameters for good daylight assessment are time period and floor area. As such, there exist different guidelines for the amount of daylight allowed into different space types and this would be useful in spatial planning. A good daylight optimised design should be a balance between overlit and underlit areas. It should also remain comfortable for the longest possible period.

Using validated simulation tools, DPSD can advise on the most appropriate daylight metric and study the spatial performance of the project. This can prevent unwanted glare and ensure that the design can be sufficiently daylit for the longest period.

Glare study
Glare occur when there is an excessive and uncontrolled amount of light approaching an occupant. This could have an impact on operable shading and thus adversely result in reduced ventilation potential. Simulations can help identify potential areas or direction of glare and this would inform the recommended mitigation measures.

Useful Daylight Illuminance
Amount of light penetrating into an indoor space is affected by the distance from openings, the glass specifications and wall materials. Simulations will take these into account and calculate the spatial distribution of lux level. This can help designers better understand the distribution of daylight and also the area of the floorplan which is within comfort zone.