br Methodology In this study ECOTECT simulation software is

Methodology In this tolterodine tartrate study, ECOTECT simulation software is used to deduce the PMV values on an annual basis after a detailed verification of the simulation results with field measurement data. Simulations for 14 different room orientations were performed for a year (365 days) with values generated every two hours. The data amounted to approximately 61,320 simulated scenarios (14 orientations ×12 values per day ×365 days). The 14 different room layouts were divided into 3 categories, namely, one-sided, two-sided, and three-sided exposed walls with windows (Table 2). Once the room configurations were defined, ECOTECT was used to model and simulate the PMV for these rooms every two hours for the entire year of 2012. A detailed discussion on ECOTECT simulation software is presented in the next section. The simulations are repeated for three different locations with distinct climatic conditions (climatic zones). These locations are Chennai with a hot and humid climate, Bangalore with a moderate climate, and New Delhi with a composite climate. Outdoor weather data were obtained from local meteorological stations. The ECOTECT simulations were validated by comparing the simulated and field measurement data for Chennai city for four months, including two months for summer (May and June) and two months for winter (December and January). Once the simulation results for a year were obtained, data were divided into different time frames within a day based on function and occupancy characteristics of the room. As per the observed family routine for a typical household, the following periods are assumed for the three types of rooms with the corresponding simulation framework (Table 3): As shown in the literature, the comfort range of the PMV scale was from −0.5 to +0.5. However, for tropical climates like that of India, the PMV range is usually overestimated given that the existing PMV scale is based on an analysis of conditioned spaces. For naturally ventilated spaces for climates like that of India, a revised PMV range as per recent research is usually considered to be from −1 to +1 (slightly cool to slightly warm) (De Dear et al., 1998). This range takes into account the tolerance capacity of the occupants. In the simulations performed, all those points that were between −1 and +1 were considered comfortable. On the basis of this limit, the total number of points under this comfort range for the three types of rooms was gathered to define the percentage of comfort conditions prevailing annually. For example, for moderate climates, rooms with window openings on the south façade exhibited the best thermal comfort conditions for nights (10:00pm to 6:00am), with comfort conditions prevailing for approximately 79.25% of the time annually. For operation during the day (10:00am to 6:00pm), windows on the north façade were favored, with thermal comfort conditions prevailing for approximately 77.74% of the time annually.
Results and discussion
Conclusions The results can be summarized based on the locations as follows:
Limitations in the approach
Introduction Analyzing the designs of architectural precedents can be significantly informative for practitioners and educators in the field of systematic design processing. In principle, such analysis is similar to “Reverse Engineering,” where products are dismantled to infer their methods of assembly. This method can help designers externalize and reveal design principles and style derivation rules that are typically implicit. Although the recognition of precedent-based design (PBD) as an independent systematic design methodology is relatively new (Eilouti, 2009; Moraes Zarzar and Guney, 2008), the PBD foundation as an analysis of precedents is older (Clark and Pause, 1979, 1985). Furthermore, the roots of PBD can be even traced back to Vitruvius (1999) who documented the experiences of previous architects. Within the framework of PBD studies, the area of comparative analysis has strong potential to help in the design practice and academia. Comparative design studies are expected to contribute to the architectural design knowledge body, education, and practice. Comparative design studies can also help reveal, among others, the common design principles of buildings that belong to a given class even if they are developed in different geographic and temporal contexts.