Old Spitalfields Market - Wind Assessment

As part of the plan to re-develop Spitalfields Market it is a requirement that the outdoor seating areas of the restaurants may be used year-round rather than just in the summer months. This requires some control of the internal climate, which at present receives little protection from the external environment. In particular, there are several large entrances to the market through which the wind can enter and exit with little obstruction.

Flow Analysis Ltd carried out an assessment of the local wind and thermal environment within the market, both with and without the addition of canopies to the entrances of the market which are designed to add some resistance to the wind and hence reduce the wind speeds within the market.

In the first phase of the exercise, the localised air movements were analysed for various wind conditions under constant temperature conditions. Various canopy designs were then added at the entrances in the model in an attempt to reduce the predicted wind movement within the market.

In the second phase of the exercise, underfloor heating is added to the model and heat sources are added to represent people and equipment etc. The air movement and temperature distribution could then be analysed for various wind speed and air temperature conditions.

The local air movement speeds were assessed against accepted comfort criteria for external spaces.

It was found that significant reductions in local wind movement speed could be obtained within the market providing that a sufficient proportion of the open area at the entrances is blocked by the canopy design. With these measures in place, the underfloor heating was predicted to work more effectively and provide reasonably comfortable conditions for the occupants. 

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