Proposed Childcare Centre @ Newtown, NSW – Thermal Modelling

verification method, alternative solution, performance solution, NCC, BCA, energy efficiency, JV3 assessment, JV3 performance solution, VURB, verification using a reference building, Deemed to Satisfy, DTS, Section J, Performance Requirement, daylight modelling, daylight factor, sda, spatial daylight autonomy, glare, illuminance, natural light, part f4, energy assessment

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Our added value

We were engaged in the project to passively increase the thermal comfort of the children playing in an outdoor area while keeping the main aspects of the design. The key non-negotiable aspects of the design were roof and side openings, glazed surrounding and the transparent roof. Aside from the thermal comfort, daylight levels and the possibility of glare were also assessed for the base case and our proposed solutions.

For thermal comfort, we used the PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) metric and claimed the number of operating hours that PMV is between -1 and +1 (per NCC Vol 1.0 for the indoor environment) and between -2 and +2 for transitory use in an outdoor environment. The base case (i.e. the initial design) achieved PMV between -2 and +2 for 69% of occupied hours. Daylight levels were adequate and no risk of glare was identified.

We proposed to shade the play area using retractable shading devices partially, closed when children used the outdoor play area in summertime. Also, we changed the clear polycarbonate to a 12mm laminated tinted glazing with relatively high Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) and low SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient). By implementing these passive solutions, we get to improve thermal comfort by 24%, achieving the level of thermal comfort of an indoor environment for 69% of the operating hours (i.e. PMV between -1 and +1) and 93% of the operating hours, we achieved suitable thermal comfort levels of an outdoor environment. Adequate levels of natural light were still met and the risk of glare stayed minimal.