THERMAL COMFORT ASSESSMENT IN A NATURALLY VENTILATED SEMI OUTDOOR SPACE: A CASE STUDY OF NUS SDE3

Abstract

This dissertation addresses a pressing issue of global warming and increased air conditioning demand caused by thermal discomfort, proposing a green building solution to mitigate this challenge. The School of Design and Environment 3 (SDE3) building in NUS is used as a case study, being a green mark platinum certified building that underwent recent retrofitting, incorporating a semi-outdoor space featuring a distinctive "deep veil" facade. The primary objective is to evaluate the thermal comfort within the naturally ventilated semi outdoor space and investigate the potential impact of the "deep veil" facade. A field study was conducted during the monsoon season, collecting both subjective and objective thermal comfort measurements. Subjective measurements are evaluated against ASHRAE, Bedford, and McIntyre standards to provide a comprehensive benchmark for the findings. Furthermore, specific subjective thermal perceptions and objective environmental parameters associated with the "deep veil" facade have been recorded and analysed as part of the comprehensive assessment. Comprehensive graphical and statistical analyses, including correlation and linear regression analyses, were performed to identify patterns and relationships. The findings suggest an uncertain conclusion regarding the definitive impact of the "deep veil" facade on occupant comfort, underscoring the need for additional research to comprehend the intricate interplay between architectural elements and thermal comfort in that space. Despite this uncertainty, the studied space with the "deep veil" facade is generally deemed thermally satisfactory by the respondents. These results emphasize the complexity of achieving optimal thermal comfort in green buildings, necessitating further exploration and refinement of sustainable design strategies.