Short answer

Incorporate landscape-integrated wind deflectors, paying close attention to their enclosure and opening orientation, to enhance outdoor thermal comfort in densely built environments.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Building Simulation Conference proceedings (2023)
Method: Computational simulation and parametric design
Evidence: Strong effect

Strategic design of landscape-integrated wind deflectors, focusing on enclosure and opening orientation, significantly enhances thermal comfort in outdoor spaces around high-rise residential buildings. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Building Simulation Conference proceedings. Using Computational simulation and parametric design, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate landscape-integrated wind deflectors, paying close attention to their enclosure and opening orientation, to enhance outdoor thermal comfort in densely built environments.

Study

Human FactorsRecentStrong effect

Landscape wind deflectors can improve outdoor thermal comfort by up to 3°C UTCI in high-rise residential areas.

Building Simulation Conference proceedings · 2023

Key Findings

01The level of enclosure and orientation of openings are critical parameters for modulating wind fields and thermal comfort.
02Optimized narrow-shaped deflectors resulted in a 65% improvement in average wind speed.
03Optimized deflectors led to a 1.5-3°C increase in the UTCI thermal comfort index.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate landscape-integrated wind deflectors, paying close attention to their enclosure and opening orientation, to enhance outdoor thermal comfort in densely built environments.

How to apply

When designing outdoor spaces for high-rise residential buildings, consider integrating wind-deflecting landscape features. Use simulation tools to test different enclosure designs and opening orientations to maximize comfort.

Project actions

01Consider the impact of wind on user comfort in your design projects.
02Explore how different shapes and materials can influence local microclimates.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the form design of landscape-integrated wind deflectors optimize outdoor thermal comfort in high-rise residential blocks within a subtropical climate?

MethodComputational simulation and parametric design

ProcedureA workflow was developed using the Grasshopper platform to integrate CAD models with simulation engines. This workflow facilitated data interaction for wind field and thermal comfort simulations. Various form parameters of narrow-shaped wind deflectors were analyzed to assess their impact on wind speed and the UTCI thermal comfort index.

ContextOutdoor spaces in high-rise residential blocks, subtropical climate (Shenzhen, China)

Variables

IV["Form parameters of landscape-integrated wind deflectors (e.g., level of enclosure, orientation of openings)"]

DV["Average wind speed","UTCI thermal comfort index"]

CV["Subtropical climate conditions","High-rise residential block context","Wind field simulation parameters"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilized advanced simulation tools for detailed analysis.
+Provided specific quantitative improvements in comfort metrics.

Limitations

The simulation results are theoretical and may differ from real-world performance due to unmodeled environmental factors or construction variations.

Reliability & validity

The use of computational simulations provides a controlled environment for testing, enhancing internal validity. However, external validity might be limited by the specific climate and urban context studied. The workflow's reliability depends on the accuracy of the simulation engines used.

Think critically

To what extent can landscape design alone mitigate extreme weather conditions, and at what point do other architectural or urban planning interventions become necessary?

Design Principles

"Microclimate optimization through form-based landscape interventions can significantly improve human thermal comfort in urban settings."

This research highlights how architectural elements can be integrated with landscape design to create more comfortable and usable outdoor environments. Understanding the impact of form parameters on microclimates is crucial for developing human-centric urban spaces that promote well-being and outdoor activity.

What This Means for Your Design

Adding special landscape features like windbreaks can make outdoor areas around tall buildings feel much more comfortable by controlling the wind and temperature.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of microclimate control for user comfort in your design project's context or evaluation.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research by Zeng et al. (2023) demonstrates that landscape-integrated wind deflectors, when designed with specific attention to enclosure and opening orientation, can significantly improve outdoor thermal comfort in high-rise residential areas by up to 3°C UTCI and enhance wind conditions by 65%. This highlights the potential for form-based landscape interventions to create more habitable microclimates.

Source

Building Simulation Conference proceedings

Optimization of outdoor thermal comfort in high-rise residential blocks based on the design of landscape-integrated wind deflector

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about landscape wind deflectors can improve outdoor thermal comfort by up to 3°c utci in high-rise residential areas?: Incorporate landscape-integrated wind deflectors, paying close attention to their enclosure and opening orientation, to enhance outdoor thermal comfort in densely built environments. Evidence: Building Simulation Conference proceedings (2023).
Why does "Landscape wind deflectors can improve outdoor thermal comfort by up to 3°C UTCI in high-rise residential areas." matter for design?: This research highlights how architectural elements can be integrated with landscape design to create more comfortable and usable outdoor environments. Understanding the impact of form parameters on microclimates is crucial for developing human-centric urban spaces that promote well-being and outdoor activity.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate landscape-integrated wind deflectors, paying close attention to their enclosure and opening orientation, to enhance outdoor thermal comfort in densely built environments.
What were the main findings?: The level of enclosure and orientation of openings are critical parameters for modulating wind fields and thermal comfort.. Optimized narrow-shaped deflectors resulted in a 65% improvement in average wind speed.. Optimized deflectors led to a 1.5-3°C increase in the UTCI thermal comfort index.
What research method was used?: Computational simulation and parametric design.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Building Simulation Conference proceedings.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing outdoor spaces for high-rise residential buildings, consider integrating wind-deflecting landscape features. Use simulation tools to test different enclosure designs and opening orientations to maximize comfort.
What are the limitations?: The study was conducted in a specific subtropical climate and may not be directly generalizable to all climatic conditions. The focus was on narrow-shaped deflectors, and other forms might yield different results.