Form Follows the Sun

December 16, 2010
By mergestudio
Form Follows the Sun

Form Follows the Sun: Hill County SEZ Office Complex
Varun Kohli

Abstract
The paper discusses a rigorous and methodical environmental analysis process and its successful integration into the design process for the Hill County SEZ office complex in Hyderabad (HC SEZ), India by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM, New York). The project involved designing over a million square feet of class ‘A’ office space for ‘Maytas Properties’ and specifically for catering to the burgeoning IT industry of India.  From the onset of the project, design decisions for orientation, programme, massing and façade articulation were informed by a continuing environmental analysis.  Based on climate studies, the building design aimed to minimize direct solar radiation and enhance daylighting using passive strategies.  The resulting 1.2 million sq.ft. of IT office buildings achieve increased energy efficiency and enhanced indoor environment, whilst adhering to restrictive budget by utilizing local materials and technologies.

Keywords: energy efficiency, daylighting, shading, solar radiation, office building, India Read more »

Environmentally Responsive Architecture

December 16, 2010
By mergestudio
Environmentally Responsive Architecture

Environmentally Responsive Architecture; Passive Design for School in Southern India
Varun Kohli

Abstract
This paper outlines the findings of a research and design project based on work undertaken for the MSc in SustainableEnvironmental Design at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London in 2005-06.  The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that a well understood external environment as well as all aspects of internal environment can result in a successful passively designed architecture which can not only reduce energy demand, but also create a significantly healthy building.

This paper focuses mainly on the internal environmental factors and requirements and begins with a discussion on defining acceptable comfort zones.  Stepping away from Fanger’s defined PPD/PMV chart, the paper validates a more flexible and expanded comfort zone that responds to its specific climate and occupants (in this a case a mild tropical climate with children as occupants) and is supported by various research papers (including de Dears research, ASHRAE 55 for NV buildings and others) as well as the writer’s own empirical analysis. Read more »

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Energy India Sustainable Thermal Comfort