Harmonious accordance of indoor-outdoor thermal comfort and building energy performance by ameliorating urban microclimate in different urban block types in tropical climate

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of outdoor microclimatic environment upon indoor conditions for different urban block types in hot-humid climate. The main focus here is on courtyard patterns, considering its potentials for hot-humid climate is not fully understood yet. Courtyard spaces have been examined in conjunction with the internal spaces of surrounding buildings with the aim to create a link between both. Based on theoretical models, it intends to devise strategies to optimise both indoor-outdoor thermal comfort and building energy performance while enabling the building designers and urban professionals to consider these essential issues at the early design stage. For this study, four simplified archetypal urban arrays are selected, primarily developed by Martin and March. These are: pavilions, enclosed courtyard pavilions, open-square and open-rectangular courtyard pavilions. Firstly, it has observed the microclimatic characteristics of the geometric patterns through a high resolution CFD microclimatic model: ENVI-met. Thermal comfort in the adjacent and enclosed outdoor spaces was assessed against Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index with the aid of Rayman 1.2. Secondly, the energy performance of the surrounding buildings was analysed by IES-VE: a building performance modelling tool. The methodology and results from the current study can be integrated in the future urban planning processes in a high-density warm-humid context.