HIDE & SEEK: Thermal Alliesthesia inside Solar Screened Perimeter Offices
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Date
2021-09-13
Authors
Naik, Niyati
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
It is the need of the day to design indoor environments that are not only comfortable but also pleasurable for the occupants. Passive yet dynamic architectural strategies have been widely acknowledged for their influence on thermal pleasure. However, this influence has not been adequately investigated. Dynamic solar screens of building facades are passive strategies that can potentially provide thermal comfort and pleasure. This dissertation research explored thermal pleasure in office spaces using dynamic solar screens as the tools to control the indoor environments. The study responds to these questions, (i) what typologies of dynamic solar screens are the most suitable in controlling indoor thermal environments for thermal pleasure? (ii) how to design dynamic solar screens for thermal pleasure? (iii) what is the relationship of thermal pleasure with indoor thermal environmental parameters and human physiological variables inside dynamic-movable and static-stationary screened spaces? (iv) what is the impact of sky conditions on thermal pleasure inside dynamic and static screened spaces, and (v) what is the significance of dynamic over static screens in influencing thermal pleasure under different sky conditions?
The research employed a multi-method approach of five inter-related studies, as follows: (i) meta-analysis of solar screen performance from previous studies, (ii) observational field study, (ii) computational simulations, (iii) indoor environmental monitoring, and (iv) within and between-subjects experiments involving human participants inside the experimental perimeter offices with dynamic and static screen shading. It was found that the dynamic screens, designed to create variability in the indoor thermal environment within the limits of the thermal comfort zone may influence thermal pleasure. The findings provide experimental evidence that expands the application of the thermal alliesthesia framework to building perimeter offices. They demonstrate the importance of indoor thermal environmental variability for occupant pleasure and well-being. This research contributes to occupant-centric building research by describing an approach to design shading systems that cater to occupant’s thermal pleasure and multi-comfort. This work will be of interest to scholars, architects, building designers, engineers, and students interested in research on thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality, adaptive shading, and passive architecture.
This dissertation includes previously published/unpublished material.
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Keywords
Indoor Environmental Variability, Occupant Well-Being, Passive Architecture, Solar Screens, Thermal Perception