“Architecture is not just a profession, it is a lifestyle”
Architecture and design, it’s not just a job, it’s a way of life. It is impossible to create architecture without thinking about what will happen in its place; It is impossible to create a product without a broad vision of the whole idea on which it is based.
Architecture cultivates a feeling of empathy like architecture is not just about the buildings. Still, it’s about the design of the people who decide on the solution that is more damaging for the architect than the corresponding reaction that benefits the user or the city. Empathy can be seen as the foundation of the human foundation, the ability to understand the body, and the health response to the environment.
It also influences emotions in people Thinking in architecture is similar to the degree to which a building radiates “void”. In general, “space” helps designers create their own spaces. As this behaviour relates to the people living in the building, it can affect their feelings.
Imagine walking into a specially designed building with astonishing shapes, curves, and one-of-a-kind qualities. The heart of the design can create a feeling of desire, surprise and happiness!
What does a person who does not know architecture notice in skyscrapers or tall buildings?
He gets amazed by the height of the structure, maybe the pleasing aesthetics of the building or the vibe of the place but a person who has architectural knowledge has that spark in his eyes on seeing such innovative buildings and he tries to imagine its structure, the layout, the orientation of the building, the climate responsive nature, he also thinks about the climate responsive nature of the building and several other architectural aspects.
Let’s take an example of a public space i.e. Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity, Singapore to know more about an architect’s perspective on sustainability and being considerate of the comfort of people while designing public spaces and other buildings.
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a national research university in Singapore. Founded in 1981, it is the second-oldest autonomous university in the country.
NATURAL AND MAN MADE FACTORS:
Turf Roof of the Building:
Grass helps absorb Singapore’s strong sunlight, thereby reducing the heat around the campus.
Additionally, environmentally friendly behaviours enhance the school’s outdoor gathering space.
Exposed faces:
The facade of the building is a large curtain wall made of high-performance double glazing. A few are elongated in an east-west direction, oriented north-south.
Glass curtain wall maximizes daylight while reducing heat infiltration; double-glazed windows are windows with an airtight cavity separated by two glass panels. This creates an insulating layer that helps prevent heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. The combination of the highly insulated frame, double compression seals and double glazing provide an unrivalled level of thermal efficiency.
Sun Analysis:
The duration and time are determined by analysing the Singapore seasons (Eastern summer, Southwest summer, West monsoon and past or monsoon summer). Consultants directed buildings, green roofs, etc. to overcome Singapore’ssolar energy. they have achieved their goals. Since the curtain wall has a glass wall in the north and south, it only receives sunlight directly into the courtyard, so it is not exposed to sunlight. Because of the green roof over the house, Ned is exposed to the sun from all directions to absorb the sun’s heat.
Wind Analysis:
Thermal Analysis
When people do not like to sit still in hot places, this does not mean that there can be health hazards, but it also affects their ability to work efficiently, their happiness/satisfaction at work, their risk as a repeat customer. , etc.
The human thermal environment is not simple and cannot be expressed in degrees. It cannot be defined as suitable with the appropriate temperature. It is a personal experience dependent on many factors and can be different for everyone in the same place.
Some important features play a role in the thermal comfort of the building:
Building facades are north and south facing to reduce sunlight. During the day, the sun usually shines on the green roof from east to west.
Highly efficient light output throughout the building. More light for less heat.
High performance double glazed walls in place Green roof with rainwater harvesting system for irrigation to keep the roof/inner roof area more cool Green roof with rain sensor to automate Irrigation operation when it rains Stop watering.
The curved building wraps a courtyard filled with water features and plants. Reflections of trees and nature can be seen in all exterior mirrors.
Concept Analysis:
Passive Solar Design:
One of the main features that caught the attention of Nanyang Technological University is the exterior glass curtain wall. It uses a solar generator that helps maximize sunlight by using the correct orientation of the building and providing the necessary shading to reduce heat.
The direction of a particular house is north and south. This is to reduce morning sunrise and heat load. The glass facade allows natural views and sunlight to enter the building, providing visual communication between the interior and exterior.
Green Roofing Building:
Another unique design feature used in the building is the green roof. These features help control the temperature of the building by reducing solar radiation and generally improving the surrounding air quality.
Nanyang Technological University uses green roofs extensively because the average size can be used to a depth of six inches or less. Other characteristics that define this type of green roof are low plant diversity and planting weight. By using extensive green roofs. Reduce home maintenance and costs.
Green roofs help reduce urban heat on the island, especially during daylight hours. It insulates the building by improving the moisture content under the soil. Since the thickness of the soil directly affects the temperature of the house, increasing the thickness of the soil will help lower the temperature in the house. This works and is visible in the upper part of the house. Roots save for heating and cooling.
Also, the grass is used on the roof to collect rainwater for landscape water during the rainy season. This feature also contributes to the cooling of the roof area, as it keeps the grass moist and provides a constant cooling effect. Green roofs not only provide beautiful views but also improve air quality by capturing pollutants and recirculating the air.
Green roofs have many benefits. They can reduce energy costs by providing insulation. Additionally, they can absorb rainwater, which helps to reduce the risk of flooding. Moreover, green roofs provide habitat for wildlife, improve air quality by filtering pollutants, and reduce the urban heat island effect by cooling the surrounding air.
Reducing the energy required for heating and cooling, building insulators absorb heat and lessen energy consumption. Reducing the demand for air conditioning through green roofs is an effective way to minimize air pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions. With vegetation present, air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions can be effectively eliminated. Deposition dry – the settling of particles onto surfaces – can have a wide range of effects on the environment. It is influenced by various factors, including particle size and velocity, and can lead to the accumulation of pollutants in soil and water. Increased levels of dry deposition have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health issues in humans, as well as declines in plant growth and crop yields. At the same time, dry deposition can also be beneficial, providing nutrients to ecosystems and helping to regulate climate by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Despite its importance, however, dry deposition remains a complex and poorly understood process. Reducing heat transfer via the roof of a building can enhance indoor comfort and lessen the negative impacts of heat waves on human health. This leads to an improvement in human comfort levels. Stormwater runoff can be reduced and slowed through better management and improvements to water quality. Rainfall pollutants can be aptly filtered by urban environments through runoff. Aesthetic value and habitat for several species can be offered by improved quality of life.
DOUBLE GLAZED GLASS:
In addition to the green roof, another critical element is the windows installed in the perimeter walls of the NTU building. This glass is a particular type of glass called double-glazed glass, which consists of two layers of glass with a distance of about 6 to 12 mm and is normally filled with an insulating gas such as air or argon. The reason is that using an insulating gas such as argon reduces the conductivity of the air space between the glass layers. This means that using a slow insulating gas greatly reduces heat transfer between the inside and outside. To explain further, the reason for this phenomenon is that the air between the two panes of glass is denser than the air outside.
Double glazing consists of 2 parts, which are a spacer and a glass pane. A spacer is a piece that separates two panes of glass in an insulating glass system and seals the gas space between them. Spacers were primarily made of metal and fibre, which manufacturers believed to provide greater durability, newer spacers are also made of foam to give the window sound-deadening properties while also creating a thermal barrier from the window to reduce heat flow through reinforcement. After being cut to size, both spacers and glass panels are cleaned before passing through the assembly line. An adhesive called polyisobutylene is applied to the surface of the spacer on each side and the glass panels are pressed against the spacer. The internal gas is then pumped into the 2 holes which are dried into the spacer, then the units are then sealed on the edge side with a polysulphide or silicone sealant or similar material to prevent moist outside air from entering the unit.
References:
https://as2.ftcdn.net/v2/jpg/03/06/50/19/1000_F_306501926_Jpz2wHOobTXFdCW8cfeW6m3vhU3vae0j.jpg https://public-images.interaction-design.org/literature/articles/heros/582209c28e54a.jpg
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https://www.ntu.edu.sg/images/default-source/hub-news/the-hive-at-ntu-singapore501115da-eb06-4cab-926b-df9730880618.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=ab4a1ae_3
https://gia.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Website-wind-1.jpg
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https://www.greenroofs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ntu_singapore2.jpg
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https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ntu-140718043957-phpapp02/75/ntu-25-2048.jpg?cb=1666695402
