<p> In the last twenty years, there has been a decrease in the quality of social housing projects in Bogot&aacute;, in part because private developers have replaced the Colombian government as the main agent. Degradation of social housing has been associated with related sickness of residents due to cold thermal conditions, particularly in children and seniors. In this context, business profitability has played against healthy indoor environments. </p><p> A common misconception of building in Bogot&aacute;&rsquo;s mild climate (tropical) is that indoor thermal comfort is not a problem. It is based on the fact that outdoor conditions are relatively constant throughout the year without strong seasons, which in theory make acceptable conditions for thermal comfort of building occupants. Moreover, since residential buildings in Bogot&aacute; are naturally ventilated and no have space conditioning, thermal adaptation is expected to be more important. </p><p> Previous investigations on thermal comfort in the city have focused on the interaction between the local climate and a particular building configuration, but most have not explored occupants&rsquo; perceptions of comfort nor have they investigated how urban form and architectural features such as communal courtyards may influence thermal comfort. </p><p> This dissertation aims to better understand occupant perceptions of thermal comfort within the context of environmental conditions, personal adaptability, and urban form in Bogot&aacute;. The hypothesis is that an urban fabric that enhances solar access will improve the potential of a building to deliver a satisfactory thermal comfort to its occupants and energy savings in electric lighting. To test this hypothesis, courtyard buildings are explored as a way to connect people with the daily rhythms on their environments and reinterpret these spaces in the scenario of a larger and a denser city. </p><p> A multidisciplinary approach is used to address these enquiries, and through a field study thermal comfort is investigated in Bogot&aacute;. This methodology integrates knowledge from architecture, psychometrics, and statistics. The field study is performed on two residential projects that represent different urban configurations: the first project is organized in lineal blocks and the second project is organized around a central courtyard. </p><p> In total, 75 apartments participate in the study: 37 in the first project and 38 in the second project. Data are collected from them through environmental logging and surveying of residents. Information about temperature, relative humidity, radiant temperature, and light intensity is obtained through monitoring, while information about: thermal sensation, thermal preference, clothing value, and physical activity is obtained through surveys. </p><p> Statistical correlations, estimations, comparative tests, and summary statistics are used to analyze the data. These comparisons allow for an investigation of the influence of environmental conditions on occupants&rsquo; thermal sensations, the margins of acceptability of residents in multifamily housing, the influence of building features on thermal comfort of real environments, and the influence of courtyards as a solution for problems of comfort and energy consumption. </p><p> Key findings include: (1) outdoor climatic conditions (in addition to indoor climatic conditions) were associated with the thermal sensation of residents, suggesting that the indoor and outdoor climates are more connected across the building envelope boundary in these types of buildings that in environmentally controlled buildings; (2) the range of thermal adaptability of residences in these buildings was larger than in environmentally controlled buildings, suggesting that personal choice factors (e.g., choosing to wear more clothing to keep warm) are used to regulate comfort sensations in the absence of more advanced environmental control; and (3) the presence of a large central courtyard increases levels of comfort and also appeared to reduce electricity consumption for lighting. </p><p> The comparison suggests that the courtyard typology in multi-family residential buildings can be used to improve thermal comfort in social housing in this climate. Overall, this study offers a key insight into the complex interactions between climate, urban form, architectural design, and human behavior in governing human thermal comfort.</p><p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 366-387).

Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special study report entitled: Woodland management and tree conservation in cultural landscape. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes special study report entitled: Electronic expression in buildings. Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this handbook is twofold. First, it is to be used as a guide for maintenance personnel when they have to deal with the lighting system. Whi 1 e the 1 i ghti ng 1 oads are typical of those in any large building, the control functions and equipment operation require some specific information for proper performance. Second, it can be used by the person in charge of scheduling to gain a greater understanding of how the system works. Although a detailed understanding isn't necessary, it is helpful to know what is out there and why it does what it is supposed to do.The reason for the development of this handbook is that with all of the literature produced by the manufacturer there was no single source, or starting point, that explained the whole package. There is a great deal of information in each of the various publications and with this handbook one should easily be able to utilize it. In order to use this book most effectively one should have the manufacturer's documents on hand for reference as they are referred to frequently. In addition the flow charts enhance one's ability "to know where you are” when using the terminal for data entry. / Department of Architecture

This thesis investigates the structure of the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) at Ball State University, otherwise referred to as the Architecture Building (AB). The purpose of this study was to examine the use of energy within the two wings of the building. The research focussed on the history of the decision-making process of the design. It studied the geometry of the building. It researches the issue of lighting and daylighting. It examined the behavior of the HVAC systems. It studied the current and potential use of the Solar Chimney. It analyzed the existing windows as well as possible alternatives.The study results in an experimental design for an additional wing for the Architecture Building. It also recommends specific solutions for optimizing the separate parts of the existing building with respect to their use of energy as well as their exposure to daylight. This also helps to identify the limits of rebuilding an existing structure. Therefore, the appendices show new technologies that will help future designs, from the building materials used to the change of the design process itself.With its huge south-facing atrium and the closed north wall this building communicates the idea of utilizing natural energy sources (e.g., maximizing of solar gain) and minimizing the loss of energy through the building envelope.In fact, the biggest energy consuming factor is not the loss of energy during the winter time, but the excessive gain of energy during the summer which puts an extraordinary cooling load on the A/C system of the building. Apart from that, the amount of electricity for lighting due to the unavailability of daylight as well as the very inefficient lighting system and fans of the A/C system is extensive.Recent advances in the development of high efficiency windows and lights would allow for significant savings within the building. Unfortunately, a lot of the problems of the building are "cast in concrete" and therefore cannot be changed. This leads to the realization that architects need tools that allow them to better predict the future behavior of their anticipated structures. New developments in the field of Computer Aided Design (CAD) boost this simulation ability of planned buildings to a point unthought of a few years ago. / Department of Architecture

Thesis (M. Arch. St.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Architecture, 1993? / 11 leaves of transparencies. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Arch.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-95). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 504-540).

Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special study report entitled : Woodland management and tree conservation in cultural landscape. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.