Online 2 Design
• The tasks associated with each design stage; and
Balcerzak
• Links to CIBSE guidance, to weather information
Marcin
and to other resources.
To apply the Design Compass, the team will need to
refer to the first stage of the design process, ‘Pre-design’,
and follow the tasks associated with it in order to assemble
the information needed to inform decisions at this early
design stage. Tasks include: identifying client and building
users’ needs and requirements; gathering information
about site; occupancy patterns; form and fabric; and
establishing regulations and standards applied.
Once the task is chosen, the user is directed to the
Weather map
location of the information needed within CIBSE
guidance or within other resources. For example, the
task ‘gather information about site’ will direct the user
A new online building-design tool can help
to a range of resources, such as chapter four of CIBSE
Guide F Energy Efficiency in Buildings, which provides
professionals incorporate weather and climate
some general site considerations and explains the
change information in a fast and flexible way.
principles of the various ventilation strategies, and
chapter three of CIBSE Guide L Sustainability.
Anastasia Mylona explains
Once the team has moved into the next stage of
‘preliminary design’, a new set of tasks direct them to
I
t is 5.45pm and the design team has to prepare for the list of calculation tools, guidance and data available
an early presentation the next day with their client. to assist them in the calculation of ventilation rates and
Their project is the conversion of a 1960s air- assembly of the ventilation strategy of the building.
conditioned office block to natural ventilation. The Similarly, during the ‘design development’ stage,
aim is also to get some sleep before the presentation! the user is directed to guidance that would assist in
The younger members are tasked with assembling the completion of the design proposal. Tasks at this
data that will enable the whole team to understand the advanced stage direct the user to guidance on the use
challenges of the project and come up with a variety of advanced calculation tools, such as CFDs, as well
of options that could be discussed with the client. In as on controls, system selection, operation, system
addition, the issue of how the building will cope with integration and other design considerations.
climate change is also on the agenda. Although the Design Compass identifies specific
The team needs to have a range of information that steps in a prescriptive design process, experienced
includes building form and fabric; future occupancy professionals have the choice to either follow it or
trends; site-related information including current access the information provided according to their own
and future weather; predicted internal gains; and methodology. At the same time, it offers assistance to
overheating and comfort criteria. The sources of new designers to achieve best practice by following
information available are building plans, client brief a recognisable and structured methodology.
and CIBSE guidance. A key aim of the tool is to make weather and climate-
One online tool the team now has available to help change information accessible for building design,
deliver this information is the CIBSE Design Compass. including extensive guidance and resources of current
This tool does not yet provide comprehensive guidance and future data, assisting the team in achieving efficient
for all aspects of the design of building services, but design and passive solutions, and in the future-proofing
rather for those areas most affected by the external of buildings to the impacts of climate change.
environment covering the design of heating, cooling, So, did our young designers make their evening
ventilation, lighting, public health and electrical deadline without burning the midnight oil? Applying
systems of a building. the Design Compass at least meant they had a quick
A key aim
Once the team has identified its design challenge, in and flexible toolbox at their disposal – and they might
this case a ventilation-related one, the Design Compass even have time for an after-work drink! l
of the tool
guides the user to a series of design tasks and in turn to
is to make the information to assist in the completion of each task
Anastasia Mylona is CIBSE’s environmental data
coordinator.
weather and
within the process framework. There are three levels
to the framework for each design area:
The Design Compass is the result of a Knowledge Transfer
climate change
Partnership. The project was a collaboration between
• The building services design process, comprising
CIBSE and the UK Climate Impacts Programme and was
information six design stages, based on the design framework
co-funded by Technology Strategy Board CIBSE and EPSRC.
presented in the BSRIA publication A Design Framework
www.cibsedesigncompass.org.uk
accessible www.ktponline.org.uk
for Building Services: Design Activities and Drawing
for building
www.ukcip.org.uk
Definitions (David Churcher, BG 6/2006); which is the
www.innovateuk.org
design. same for all design areas under consideration;
www.epsrc.ac.uk
24 CIBSE Journal August 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEaug09 pp24 design.indd 24 23/7/09 16:26:11
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