Passively cooled and ventilated learning resource centre: Performance appraisal

Abstract

A quasi-automatic system has been developed to monitor the energy and environmental performance of a new university learning resource centre. The centre is a THERMIE demonstration project. Monitoring has concentrated on global performance indicators, to describe envelope and environmental provision effectiveness; Micro-performance indicators, to describe performance at the zonal level and ancillary performance indicators, to describe the performance of parameters which cannot be sensed automatically. The effectiveness of the building in reducing energy consumption and providing a pleasant internal environment has been quantified in both physical and psychological terms. Results suggest that, when designing similar buildings in future, greater attention should be paid to humidifcation, distributing daylight, and the provision and thorough commissioning of appropriate automatic and manual occupant controls.