Client - Architon LLP

During the summer, untempered external air is vented through the Termodeck slabs between each floor 24 hours per day. During the night, this relatively cool external air reduces the temperature of the concrete, which then retains this 'coolth' during the day due to its high thermal mass.

During the day, the exposed slabs reduce the radiant temperature in the building and reduce the temperature of the supply air which meets the fresh air requirements of the occupants.

Flow Analysis Ltd were commissioned to assess the thermal performance of the building and in particular the effectiveness of Termodeck. A model of the entire building was constructed in dynamic thermal simulation software (see the images above). Details of building fabric, glazing type and internal heat gains were included in the model and simulations were performed covering the summer months using an appropriate weather data set.

The results showed that the Termodeck was affective in lowering the peak daytime radiant temperatures. This means that the resultant temperature is predicted to be below the ambient temperature during the peak daytime period as shown by the graph to the right.

However, the atrium is not served by Termodeck, and the conditions within the 'floating' meeting spaces were shown to be unsatisfactory. Flow Analysis Ltd showed that this could be rectified by using local fabric shades in these areas.

The study also confirmed that the building could function satisfactorily as a naturally ventilated design.

Click here for thermal analysis of the atrium and here for daylight analysis.

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