ABSTRACT
The most effective configuration showed a reduction in cooling demand of more than 30%, which could more than mitigate the predicted increase in space cooling loads up to 2050. The chilled ceiling was used in conjunction with the high-level option, but not for the low-level system, where all cooling was to be provided by the under-floor air supply, requiring a higher ventilation rate. Increasing external air temperatures will reduce the cooling effect of ventilation. In response, the teams explored low-energy opportunities to pre-cool the air used for ventilation. Triangle Architects, working on the British Trimmings extra-care scheme, also suggested the use of ground-linked air ducts to pre-cool ventilation air as one component of an ingenious replacement facade, combining pre-cooled air with solar-driven extraction. The adapted design used “air chimneys” to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional corridor-based extra-care scheme layout, which allowed only single-sided ventilation.
