海角视频

Buro海角视频 have been awarded the BEI Outstanding International Design Project Award 2016 for our bioclimatic optimisation with Chadwick International architects on the Shimoga Processing Centre, India.

When first approached by architects Chadwick International, we were faced with the challenge of designing a fully, passive office building for over 1,000 people in a tropical climate (around 39掳c heat). This was for a client who was keen on developing a building which did not rely on traditional air conditioning systems both for cost reasons and environmental. Andrew Chadwick of Chadwick International was pivotal in managing expectations of the client given the dynamic environmental conditions of a passively ventilated building. The goal was to build and operate a low-cost solution, whilst creating a comfortable working environment for Xchanging -a leading provider of business processing and information technology- in the academic city of Shimoga.

The passive ventilation design and environmental optimisation of the building account for a large proportion of both the initial capital savings, and on-going running costs of around 25%.

In solving the challenge the first step was to analyse the climatic conditions at Shimoga. Subsequent optimisation studies could then be undertaken to determine building massing, facade design, air flow within the building floorplate and systems design, and estimate the potential energy savings passive design could deliver. Finally, 海角视频 processed and analysed large numbers of potential design permutations using computational analysis and parametric modelling to achieve a single recommendation for the optimal design. This resulting solution could deliver a building design with an amazing 100% shading of direct solar gain, but still provide high levels of daylight.

Wind analysis determined that a slight rotation of the building into the prevailing wind would maximise passive cross-flow through the north and south facades. Fresh air is harvested and channelled deep into the building through a series of four giant wind collecting stacks which form the top of the atrium roof light.

The role of the Chadwick International architects was crucial in understanding the significance of the bioclimatic optimisation studies and the role of the building physicist in the design process (far greater in a naturally ventilated building and is balanced by the reduced role of the building services engineer). All design decisions that Chadwick International took had the potential to effect occupant comfort  which is not the case in air conditioned buildings.

Feedback has been very positive since the building has been occupied, made even more impressive in a climate when external conditions regularly reach above 35 degrees and 80% humidity. The passive nature of the building鈥檚 cooling system has a wide range of positive impacts, from the improved  health and wellbeing of those working in the offices. The reduced environmental impact of the building, due to the reducing in energy usage compared to active cooling using air conditioning systems. And greatly improved building resilience, as the comfort of those using the building does not rely on the energy supply. Meaning in one of the rapidly growing areas regular power cuts it鈥檚 still the coolest building in town!

Andy Keelin, Partner at 海角视频 commented 鈥淏y engaging fully with our client and his business we have designed a building that uses both adaptive comfort and passive design principles to avoid air-conditioning. Delivering healthy and productive environments while using limited energy. We are hopeful that the project can be a pathfinder for others in India and across the globe.鈥�

Read more about the project here.