This project comprises of four commercial office buildings with two high-spec warehouses and is located in Auckland-New Zealand. It was designed to achieve a 5-star Green Star design rating.

Thermal comfort is a crucial aspect of any building design, as it directly affects the occupants’ well-being and productivity. For this project, we conducted a thorough thermal comfort analysis using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index according to ASHRAE 55:2017 standard, which takes into account physiological and environmental factors to determine the level of thermal comfort required.

Our analysis showed that the office building’s temperature falls within the optimal range for the occupants to feel comfortable and productive during working hours. (+/-1 according to GREENSTAR)

This was achieved by accurately modelling the building envelope with selected insulation as well as the heating and cooling systems, in order to maintain a consistent indoor temperature. In addition, the appropriate low-e glazing was used for the fenestration thereby reducing heat gain and heat loss during summer and winter respectively. The occupants clothing, activity levels and other required parameters were also factored in the model as per ASHRAE 55:2017 standards.

Due to the importance of balancing thermal comfort with energy efficiency, the building’s systems were designed to minimize energy consumption while maintaining optimal comfort levels. This will ensure reduction in operating costs and minimize the impact on the environment.