We are pleased to present this book which showcases ... - WSP Group

WSP is leading a Swedish research study into the indoor
environment and energy efficiency associated with glazed office
buildings.The project is driven by an increasing interest among
architects in designing office buildings with glazed facades coupled
with a need for improved understanding of how these perform in
the Scandinavian climate.
During the nineties, office buildings with glass facades were popular,
particularly in Germany, offering the attractions of an airy, transparent
appearance and more access to daylight. It was found that buildings
with double skin glass facades offered the additional advantages of
reduced requirement for heating and cooling, better insulation and
more efficient solar shading.
The double-skin facade technique has been applied in Scandinavia
in recent years, especially in Stockholm where examples include the
Kista Science Tower and the offices of ABB and Nokia. However,
current knowledge of the function, energy use and visual environment
of glass-facade office buildings in the Swedish context is insufficient.
The WSP project began with a virtual reference building to simulate
the environmental performance of typical construction methods.
The building construction, HVAC system and control system were
described in great detail.Then different scenarios were tested, varying
the building’s orientation, architecture, floor plan, control set points
and glazed facade elements such as window type and size and shading
devices.A sensitivity analysis based on the simulated alternatives was
carried out to assess occupant comfort and energy efficiency.
A complex and detailed model for life cycle cost analysis of the
building was also developed.
WSP is managing the project
team of 13 experts from Lund
University of Technology, Skanska
and WSP, who also bring specialist
knowledge of glazing and HVAC
systems.The project benefits
from the support of Pilkington,
Emmaboda (Saint-Gobain), the
Swedish Glass Trade Association
and Skanska Sweden.
The project is increasing knowledge of how to construct energy
efficient glazed office buildings which are visually attractive,
comfortable for the user and make better use of daylight.The project
team is currently supporting the design of a glazed office building in
Malmo with the provision of expert advice and advanced energy,
indoor climate and daylight simulations.
The research is attracting considerable interest in the property
sector, including a group of eleven major Swedish property owners
and developers who work together on energy-related issues, and
who handle 25% of the entire commercial building space in Sweden.
Client:
Swedish Energy Agency
Development fund provided by the Swedish Construction Industry,
Skanska and WSP
Project team:
Lund University of Technology
Skanska Teknik
Project value:
£650 000
Status:
4 year project
Completion December 2006
WSP services:
Project management
Glazing consultancy
Life cycle costing
HVAC design
Architecture
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