No matter what, we need to take care of the indoor climate when we design new buildings or refurbish old buildings. The driving forces for handling indoor climate could be different; from understanding the human need of good air quality to just achieve a decent temperature. Not to forget that legislations continuously raise the bar for indoor climate demands. In any case, we need to cope with the fact that buildings, architecture and technical installations need to fit together for an optimal result.
To get the building working, there are challenges to overcome and we need to share knowledge to succeed. But, if we just focus on the HVAC, we will try to point out some issues and possible solutions that could be considered.
So what are the potential risks?
Bad or poor ventilation due to lack of understanding and/or communication. Honestly, not so beautiful HVAC installations. We will waste rentable space with poor installation or non-flexible system choices. There is a risk for high running costs. There is also a risk of health problems shown in numerous scientific studies. We start to realise that bad indoor climate interferes to productivity in schools, offices and other public spaces.
What should be the goal?
HVAC Systems that helps architects to fulfil functional and beautiful buildings for different purposes. Installations that provides flexibility for the owner to optimize the use over time. Products and systems that optimises the use of floorspace in order to expand usable m2. Systems that are easy to use and maintain with low running cost and excellent energy performance.
How do we do make smart decisions for good design?
Together, we need to be able to discuss different solutions earlier in projects to support good and smart choices. For example, investigate the impact on a building when it comes to ventilation and compare constant air volume, variable air volume and demand-controlled air volume. Where the purpose should be to maximize all positive values for the user, installer, owner, investor and architects. One big problem is that there are many stakeholders that are interested in the result of HVAC design, but their interest differs, from good indoor climate for work or living to low running cost and/or installation cost etc.
The solution.
The solution is communication and involvement, when we start to integrate different suppliers and designers in a building project and dare to listen to each other’s competences there is the possibility of achieving all the positive impacts described above.
The question is, do we dare? Are we willing to open the discussion?
Who is the first architect that contacts a supplier for support and inspiration to create fantastic buildings from an aesthetic and indoor climate perspective?
If you are interested in more information on the design perspective of HVAC installations, you can download the presentations from Swegon Air Academy that reflects on building design and HVAC systems.
P.S. For more information, get in touch with your local Swegon contact or visit Swegon.com