Passive Solar Commercial and Institutional Buildings A Sourcebook of Examples and Design Insights

Passive Solar Commercial and Institutional Buildings A Sourcebook of Examples and Design Insights EA International Energy Agency Paris, France Principal Editor S. R. Hastings ETH Zu rich, Swiss Federal Office of Energy The results of research performed by solar experts from twelve countries during the years 1986 to 1991 are presented here, featuring forty-five building case studies. The buildings range from a large university complex with multiple atria in Norway to a sports hall employing a mass wall in Spain. The scope of the term ‘ commercial buildings' in this sourcebook includes a diverse range of both commercial and institutional buildings. Insights gained from these projects have been expanded by conducting parametric studies using computer models, some of which were developed specifically for this International Energy Agency (IEA) research. For example, a programme was written to link the results of detailed daylighting models with detailed energy analysis models. Daylighting strategies were thereby assessed for effectiveness in reducing energy consumption for lighting as well as for heating and cooling. Commercial and institutional buildings can greatly benefit from a careful investigation of solar and daylighting concepts in an overall energy concept. These examples prove the degree of effectiveness which can be achieved and the insights offered by the researchers should be helpful for the designers of the next generation of even lowerHastings, S. Robert is the author of 'Passive Solar Commercial and Institutional Buildings A Sourcebook of Examples and Design Insights' with ISBN 9780471939436 and ISBN 0471939439.