Netra Naik ¹, Namrata Dhamankar ¹, Sujata Karve ¹

Affiliations
1 Masters of Environmental Architecture, Dr B. N College of Architecture, Karvenagar, Pune - 411052, Maharashtra, IN

Abstract

With increased environmental awareness and standard of living, aspects such as built environmental quality and thermal comfort have gained importance. The role of built environment is not limited to just providing shelter but has expanded to providing comfortable healthy environment. The indoor environmental quality and thermal comfort directly affect the health of occupant and utilisation of the space. Moreover, the built environment quality is directly proportional to energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. Indoor environment quality is an important aspect to be considered in large commercial developments such as shopping centres, where there is a huge footfall. Shopping trends have changed over the years from shopping markets, plazas, arcades, shopping complexes to malls. The change is heading towards a more enclosed and air conditioned environment as compared to the older forms of shopping centres such as arcades and plazas. These arcades and plazas were designed as spaces that opened out and were naturally lit and ventilated; thereby were more energy efficient unlike the malls. However the changing trend is influencing developers and designers towards building malls which would eventually wipe out the arcades and plazas completely from the market. The commercial success of retail buildings is also dependent on the environment that is created. In order to continue using these older energy efficient forms, it is important to evaluate them and identify the associated problems. These problems can then be nullified through appropriate design solutions, upgrading theses spaces to the level of malls. In addition, it is in such typology of buildings where design is crucial as it is more dependent on the climate and environment outside. Pune is a city where various forms of shopping centres exist, such as street markets, shopping arcades, malls etc. The aim of the research is to evaluate the environmental quality in shopping arcades in Pune. Field measurements of environmental quality parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speeds, light levels, CO2 levels were carried out in various shopping arcades. The study also explores whether lower ground floors can work as shopping spaces. The research identifies problems and design challenges associated with shopping arcades. The above study would give insights as to how environmental quality can be improved through design.

Keywords

Aspect Ratios, Daylight, Orientation, Indoor Air Quality, Openings, Shopping-arcades, Thermal Comfort

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Ristiful Marngar ¹, Sujata Karve ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Masters of Environmental Architecture, Dr. B. N. College of Architecture, Pune - 411052, Maharashtra, IN

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the environmental quality of existing hospitals in Shillong based on Daylight (and view) and thermal comfort. Both Quantitative and qualitative methods are used to perform this research. Quantitative method is used to investigate the daylight, temperature and relative humidity in the selected hospitals which include statistical and graphical techniques using field investigations and computer simulations. Qualitative method is used through visual survey. The hypothesis is that maximizing the amount of daylight helps reduce the amount of artificial light and, depending on the climate also helps with temperature control to achieve thermal comfort for a more sustainable hospital and that older hospitals would have a higher level of daylighting and thermal comfort. This study has two major purposes, first is to investigate the daylight and thermal comfort parameters in the existing hospitals and second is to investigate the factors affecting these two parameters. The results indicate that older building does perform slightly better in the aspects of daylighting only. The immediate outcome of this study is a list of parameters affecting the daylighting and thermal comfort in the existing hospitals and based on this, generic guidelines are developed for architects to incorporate appropriate daylighting and achieve thermal comfort in the architectural design of hospital including to support architectural decisions. This study was created as a basis for the development of recommendations for designing healthcare facilities for a cold and humid climate of Shillong and, as a result, should be used to achieve more effective healing environments.

Keywords

Daylighting, Healing Environment; Sustainalbe Hospitals, Thermal Comfort

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