Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology

2012 Edition
| Editors: Robert A. Meyers

Natural Ventilation in Built Environment

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_488
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Definition of the Subject

Natural ventilation uses the natural forces of wind and buoyancy to introduce fresh air and distribute it effectively in buildings for the benefit of the occupants. Fresh air is required to achieve a healthy, fresh, and comfortable indoor environment for people to work and live in. Natural ventilation can ensure or support the supply of adequate breathing air, adequate ventilation of contaminants, adequate thermal conditioning and moisture dissipation, and contribute to well-being through a connection to the dynamics of nature. For natural ventilation to be effective, there has to be a close relationship between the architecture and the air circulation system. This includes the relationship between the built form, the site environment in a particular location, and the layout within the building.

The Natural History Museum in London, designed by Alfred Waterhouse in the Victorian age, is an excellent example of design for natural ventilation. The architect...

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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Lee Hargreaves (WSP, UK Ltd.) for his help with researching and organizing some case studies; Mike Beaven of Arup Associates for some case studies; Matt Kitson (Hilson Moran) for providing Gherkin images; Professor Vivian Loftness (Carnegie Mellon University, USA) for providing architectural images and Fig. 21; Beifan Yang and Bin Zhang (Tianjin Weland Landscape Architecture Design Co, Ltd. China) for the architectural drawings; Jin Zhang (JINT Design Consultants Ltd.) for architectural sketch; and Dr Malcolm Cook (Loughborough University) for providing the images of Queens Building.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Civil and Building EngineeringLoughborough UniversityLeicestershireUK
  2. 2.School of Construction Management and EngineeringUniversity of ReadingReadingUK