Teaching Earth Sciences - Earth Science Teachers' Association

Figure 2 The living roof planted with Sedum
environmentally friendly methods of providing
natural ventilation to the space, so there would
be no need to make use of mechanical ventilation
systems run by electricity (Figure 3). Wind catcher
systems are designed to operate so that warm air
rising to roof level decreases the air pressure within
buildings, allowing cooler air to enter the via the
units. The resultant change in air pressure produces
sufficient airflow. Furthermore, wind blowing onto
the windward side of a ventilation stack increases
the throughput of air and encourages stale and
stagnant air to be extracted through the leeward
side of the roof unit.
• Sun pipes were included, providing shafts of
natural light into the upper floor of the building
and helping to reduce electricity consumption. The
sun pipe system (Figure 4) makes use of the Sun’s
renewable energy by reflecting and intensifying
sunlight down through highly reflective, mirrorfinish
aluminium tubes.
• High value insulation materials were integrated
into the design – the specification exceeded U
values (overall coefficient of heat transmission) at
the time of construction. (Note: U values indicate
the heat flow through materials)
• The 3-storey block was constructed on a sloping
ground surface and the site layout of was planned
so that part of the lower ground floor was set
into the ground. It is 1.8m below existing ground
Figure 3 A wind catcher
Figure 4 The sun pipe system reflects and intensifies sunlight down through highly
reflective, mirror-finish aluminium tubes.
www.esta-uk.net Vol 35 No 1 2010 Teaching Earth Sciences 41