AA LONDON - SED - TERM I PROJECT | URBAN MICROCLIMATE | CASE STUDY : MORE LONDON PLAZA AND PASSAGE

Part II

85

MORE LONDON ESTATES THE PLAZA AND THE PASSAGE

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

Introduction The importance of Urban Microclimate is firmly associated with its impact on the level of comfort on both outdoor and indoor spaces.

For this; Urban Microclimate is studied not only for occupants in the surrounding buildings but for passers-by as well. That’s why the impact of urban microclimates was the main concern of the agenda.

Given this significance; the same space was subject to SED Students study in 2011/12 semester. It focused on the impact of outdoor spaces on occupants and passers-by. Their effort ended up by raising a number of observations and unanswered questions.

Its unique location connecting several commercial and touristic spots allowed More London Estates to host different types of occupants and passers-by with distinctive levels of comfort and adaptability to climatic changes.

Additionally, being designed by “Foster and Partners” who are much known for their conservativeness to environmental concerns especially that this project was completed in 2003 which means it took into consideration most environmental perspectives.

Through measurements, site visits, considering different climatic variables throughout different timings, interviews, calculations and simulations were carried out to understand the site’s variations and instabilities in order to assess people’s reactions towards microclimate change. The extent of space adaptability to people’s comfort levels was tackled as well in the context of this study.

The study will focus on the plaza and the main passage because of the many restaurants and coffee shops that many people (occupants and passers-by) tend to use on daily basis even on weekends. And to be more specific; this area was chosen at lunch time between (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM) to study the efficiency of this place during its most busy time through the week.

This study is generally articulated on More London Estates site.

Yet, it is investigating in depth the plaza and the long passage urban microclimate.

87

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

89

More London Estates

Gainsford Street Weather Station

Figure 2.1: Image showing Gainsford Street weather station and its relation to More London Estates.

WEATHER DATA AND COMFORT BAND All weather data in this report was obtained from “Gainsford Street� weather station (51.503 -0.075), 525 meters away from More London Estates site as shown in Figure 2.1. This weather station is to be found at Wunderground website (http://www. underground.com).

The Adaptive Comfort band was obtained from Meteonorm 7.1 & SED Climate Processing spreadsheet, based on Running Mean (BS EN 15251:2007), as shown in the graph in figure 2.2

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Figure 2.2 Graph showing the Adaptive Comfort Band that was obtained from Meteonorm the SED Climate Processing spreadsheet.

Internal Operative Temperature Range (occupied hours)

External Daily Average Temperature (24h)

Comfort Limit

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

RIVER THAMES

TOWER BRIDGE

LONDON BRIDGE UNDERGROUND STATION MORE LONDON ESTATES CITY HALL THE SHARD

TOOLEY STREET

Figure 2.3 showing the location of More London Estates at latitude 51.50389,-0.08066 and surroundings.

WHY MORE LONDON ESTATES (PLAZA & PASSAGE)?

As figure 2.3 shows, More London Estates (the plaza & the long passage) are connecting 4 office buildings and a hotel, and at the same time they connect London Bridge Station and the Shard from the west and with City Hall. Tower Bridge and the River Thames from the east; this distinctive site made the passage more passive and more used by passers-by and the occupants while it’s considered as a private property.

The office buildings are a (home to a workforce of some 15,000 people) (http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/more-londonmasterplan/).

Figure 2.4 showing the plaza and the main passage 91

WIND DIRECTION January 2014

The diagrams in figure 2.5 from (www.wunderground.com) shows that the main wind directions through the year, the diagrams showed that in warmer days the wind is commonly comming from north, north east and north west directions, while in colder days it is commonly comming from west, south west

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

December 2014

August 2014

June 2014

March 2014

1

Figure 2.5 showing wind directions for five months in 2014

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

SITE OBSERVATIONS In order to understand site variations and adaptability, several visits were made where the following observations were noticed.

It was noticed that the plaza has different parameters that help making it adaptive, there are trees and louvers as shown in figure 2.6 and figure 2.7 that protect people from direct sunlight exposure.

While it was observed that people tend to use semi-shaded areas rather than shaded or non-shaded areas.

The water stream temperature is less than the average air temperature as shown in figure 2.8 and figure 2.9, that can be an advantage in summer and warmer days. Fountains take large areas in the plaza more than the sitting areas so one can observe people eating and smoking while standing. While on days that fountains are turned off for maintenance as shown in figure 2.12 people tend to use the fountains as sitting areas.

Light colored materials were used in the facades in the long passage as shown in figure 2.13, yet it didn’t increase the level of illumination to a satisfactory level neither for people using the passage nor for the occupants in the buildings facing it.

Figure 2.6 Trees and louvers as shading elements

9.1 °C

Designer’s intentions:

16 °C

5.1 °C 12.6 °C

Air temperature: 19.4 oC Figure 2.7 showing the semi shaded areas caused by trees and louvers

Figure 2.8 Spot measurements for the water stream in a sun plotted area

Air temperature: 14.7 oC Figure 2.9 Spot measurements for the water stream in a shaded area

“The team of Foster and Partners has started the design process thinking about this problematic situation: the southern part of the Thames has never been attractive for business owners; therefore they have tried to create this business district as a special place, interesting enough to become an area of attraction area for both tourists Londoners to spend relaxing times there.”

“The narrowness of the long passage has an undeniable economical advantage too, allowing the designers to increase the buildings usable gross floor area.”

“The plaza, with its large proportions and three levels, has been planned with the intention to provide the visitors places to sit, relax, and enjoy both the river view and the sun.” (SED More London students report 2011/12).

Figure ## The plaza (A)

Figure 2.10 the water stream

Figure 2.11 the fountains when turned on

Figure 2.12 the fountains when turned off for weekly maintenance

Figure 2.13 The long passage

93

ILLUMINATION SPOT MEASUREMENTS

ILLUMINATION (LUX)

Spot measurements were taken for several passages for a better understanding of the orientation and the different urban forms. It was observed that the plaza is exposed to direct sunlight most of the day, however passage (B) that was originally designed to host all restaurants and coffee-shops, due to the low level of illumination this passage is barely accepted by occupants and passers-by. Instead, the passage (E) is preferred as a transitional space especially by occupants.

The lower floors of the three buildings -facing the long passageare receiving less sunlight and daylight than the top floors.

Meanwhile, the facade with louvers that’s facing the long passage leads to a decrease in the illumination level inside the building that is contributing greatly to using the artificial lighting.

12,000+ 4300-5750 2000-2950 1000-1900 600-900 90-100

Figure 2.14 showing illumination spot measurements

Figure 2.15 The plaza (A)

Figure 2.16 showing the difference of illumination between passages (E-left) and (B-right), different in orientation but similar in length.

Figure 2.17 Passage (F)

Figure 2.17 Passage (C)

Figure 2.18 Passage (E)

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

Figure 2.19 Passage (D)

WIND SPOT MEASUREMENTS 28,30/11/2014 - 12:00-15:00 Weather data: Temperature: 11-12 째C Humidity: 80% Wind velocity: 3.6-4.6 m/s Wind direction: N/NW, E/NE

WIND VELOCITY m/s

Hotel

5.0+ 2.0-3.1

The measurements showed that the plaza has the lowest wind velocity, while the average value of wind velocity was 3.6-4.6m/s from the weather station, the measurements showed a range of 0.0-3.1m/s in all the passages except 2 spots that are facing the river Thames. There was a remarkable but unconstant decrease of wind velocity at the end of the long passage.

The spots between buildings 1 & 2 showed a sudden increase in wind velocity as the width of the passage increased.

The entrances of buildings (6,1,7 and the hotel) have less values than other near spots.

1.0-1.9 0.1-0.9 0.0

Figure 2.20 showing wind spot measurements

TEMPERATURE SPOT MEASUREMENTS 28,30/11/2014 - 12:00-15:00 Weather data: Temperature: 11-12 째C Humidity: 80% Wind velocity: 3.6-4.6 m/s

TEMPERATURE 째C

The measurements showed that spots near to the restaurants and coffee shops has the highest temperature in all passages. while the spot near to the mechanical rooms between building 1 & 2 has a less value than the rest of the passage. It was obviously clear thet the most higher values (15-18째C) were the spots taken in areas that were directly exposed to sunlight.

19-20+ 15-18 13-14 12

Figure 2.21 showing temperature spot measurements

95

We turn off the fountains and the water stream weekly for cleaning and maintenance, and sometimes we close it when it gets too windy.

(A worker)

I was passing by so I stopped to have lunch, but I don’t like to stay.

I don’t use the long passage in winter, it’s windy, cold & long ! , I prefer the shorter passage on the right side. (An employee goes to work cycling).

OCCUPANT’S BEHAVIOR AND INTERVIEWS There’s a problem with illumination, we always use artifitial lighting.

I use the plaza only in the summer, but I usually have my lunch in the building I’ve no time to travel all this distance everyday

- For the plaza there is no enough spaces for people to comfortably eat in except for restaurants and coffee-shops.

- Smokers choose the nearest place to smoke but sometimes the nearest spaces are not covered from rain, so they would rather travel a long distance or smoke in the rain. Sometimes the covered space is lower in temperature and less in illumination than the other uncovered spaces.

- Trees are not becoming a wind barrier anymore in autumn due to leaves fallen.

Eating areas (seated) Smoking areas Figure 2.22

I have problems with rain while smoking outside.

It’s windy, I just need to go to the Tower bridge, that’s why I came here !

I prefer the courtyard, I don’t have enough time to have my luch outside the building.

(The building manager) I would use the long passage if it has a protection from wind.

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

09/11/2014 13:00 20+ yrs, Male (Coming from Tooley street) Standing/waiting Sunny (Feeling neutral)

09/11/2014 13:00 20+ yrs, Female (Coming from Tooley street) Standing/waiting Sunny (Feeling neutral)

09/11/2014 13:00 50+ yrs, Female (Coming from Tooley street) Seated/eating Sunny (Feeling slighly warm)

P.E.T: 18.1 °C

P.E.T: 18.1 °C

P.E.T: 18.5 °C

18

09/11/2014 13:00 50+ yrs, Female (Coming from Tooley street) Seated/eating Sunny (Feeling slighly warm) P.E.T: 17.8 °C

PHYSIOLOGICAL EQUIVALENT TEMPERATURE FOR THE PLAZA The P.E.T values were calculated for two different days representing two totally different weather conditions; one is cold, cloudy and windy and the other is warm, clear and less windy.

On the colder day passers-by felt cold yet still above the average temperature. A couple of incidents were recorded that may explain more on this: - Very nearby; a coffee-shop worker -sitting close to his workplace- had a higher P.E.T value but still below the comfort level, that could be due to working in a coffee-shop that has a constant higher temperature. - A lady coming from Tooley Street has a lower P.E.T than a man coming from the Thames; this could be for the lower temperature in the Thames River. On the warmer day the P.E.T was close to the comfort level with 1.52°C due to direct solar exposure of the plaza and the higher air temperature, however the 50+ lady with her son didn’t feel comfortable because of the direct exposure to sunlight.

14.2

14.2 19.4

31

19.3

29 27 25

P.E.T: 16.7 °C

23 21 Sunny day Cloudy day Figure 2.23

03/11/2014 12:00 60+ yrs, Male (Coming from the Thames river) Walking Windy, Cloudy (Feeling cold)

03/11/2014 12:00 60+ yrs, Female (coming from Tooley street) Walking Windy, Cloudy (Feeling cold) P.E.T: 13.1 °C

P.E.T: 13.6 °C

TEMPERATURE °C

03/11/2014 12:00 40 yrs, Male (A worker from the coffeeshop) Seated, Smoking Windy, Cloudy, Raining (Feeling cold)

19 17 15 13 11 9 7 5 3 1 Jan

Oct

Nov

Dec

Internal Operative Temperature Range (occupied hours) External Daily Average Temperature (24h) Comfort Limit Figure 2.24 showing the P.E.T values for the occupants and passers-by using the plaza

97

SOLAR EXPOSURE When looking at the shadow simulations for the studied hours it’s noticed that the plaza is the most area exposed to direct sunlight in summer, while that doesn’t apply in winter when the sun is lower.

Shadow simulations done by (Ecotect Analysis 2011)

March 9:00

12:00

15:00

SUN PATH DIAGRAM

June 9:00

12:00

15:00

9:00

12:00

15:00

December Figure 2.26 Stereographic diagram

Figure 2.25

Figure ## Moniz - Aly Mahmoud Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira

SOLAR EXPOSURE For a better understanding of solar exposure, another shadow simulation was done in perspective view to understand how sunlight can affect the level of illumination in the urban form and thus affects the indoor spaces.

The simulation shows that although the plaza and the long passage are not exposed to direct sunlight in winter, but the facades facing south are partially exposed.

March

9:00

12:00

15:00

9:00

12:00

15:00

June

December 9:00

12:00

15:00

Figure 2.27

99

TAS SIMULATIONS

RADIANT TE

Figure 2.28 showing the spots that were calculated using TAS simulator

35 35

RADIANT TEMPERATURE oC

30 30 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 55

JAN

-5

JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN JAN FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB FEB MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR APR MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN JUN

00

Figure 2.29 showing TAS simulation for radiant temperature, for the year 2014

External Temperature (°C)

Plaza Radiant Temp (°C)

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

Plaza Caffe Radiant Tem

TAS SIMULATIONS TAS simulations were done to calculate the radiant temperature, taking into consideration the dark glazing, the urban form, the activity inside the office building and the old building next to it. The first simulations were done on four spots: 1- the plaza 2- the coffee-shop (Caffe Nero) in the plaza 3- Between the plaza and the passage 4- In the middle of the passage.

35

RADIANT TEMPERATURE oC

30 25

The simulations for the year as in figure 2.29 showed that the plaza has the highest temperature throughout the year, while the passage has the lowest temperature. Furthermore the coffeeshop in the plaza was at a lower level than the plaza during summer but it slightly increases during winter, especially starting November through February.

The fourth point between the plaza and the passage has a higher temperature than of the passage.

20 15 10

RADIANT TEMPERATURE RADIANTRADIANT TEMPERATURE TEMPERATURE RADIANT TEMPERATURE RADIANT TEMPERATURE

5 0 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

EMPERATURE

As for the comfort level, figure 2.30 shows that the design of More London Estates overall increased the radiant temperature to approach near to the comfort level in winter, yet it still below comfort level, and starting from the middle of March until most of October the plaza reached to the comfort level.

JUN JUN MAR APR JAN FEB MAR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB FEB MAR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB MAR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB MAR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB MAR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB MAR APR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB MAR APR JUL JUL APR MAY FEB MAR APR JUL JUL MAY MAY FEB MAR APR AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR MAR APR AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR APR AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR APR AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR APR MAY AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR APR MAY AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR APR MAY AUG MAY AUG JUN MAR APR MAY SEP JUN AUG JUN MAR APR MAY SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY JUN SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY JUN SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY JUN SEP JUN SEP JUL APR MAY JUN JUL SEP SEP JUL MAY MAY JUN OCTJUL OCT AUG MAY JUN JUL OCT OCT AUG MAY JUN OCTJUL OCT AUG MAY JUN JUL OCT OCT AUG MAY JUN JUL JUL OCT OCT AUG MAY JUN JUL JUL OCT OCT AUG MAY JUN JUL JUL OCT OCT AUG MAY JUN JUL AUG OCT OCT AUG JUN JUN JUL AUG NOV NOV SEP JUN JUL AUG NOV NOV SEP JUN JUL AUG NOV NOV SEP JUN JUL AUG NOV NOV SEP JUN JUL AUG AUG NOV NOV SEP JUN JUL AUG AUG NOVSEP NOV JUN JUL AUG AUG NOV SEP NOV JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOVJUL NOV JUL AUG SEP OCT DEC DEC JUL AUG SEP OCT DEC DEC JUL AUG SEP OCT DEC DEC JUL AUG SEP OCT DEC DEC JUL AUG SEP SEP OCT DEC DEC JUL AUG SEP SEP OCT DEC DEC JUL AUG SEP SEP DEC OCT DEC JUL AUG SEP OCT DEC OCT DEC AUG AUG SEP OCT NOV AUG SEP

Figure 2.30 showing the radiant temperature and the comfort band

DEC

Longplaza passage temperature ( Radiant C)Temp Plaza (Coffeeshop) radiant temperature (Caffe C) & passage Between plaza & the long(°C) passage radiant temperature ( Between C) Plaza radiant temperature (Temp C) External temperature ( C) diant TempTemperature (°C) Plaza Caffe Radiant Temp Between plaza Radiant Temp (°C) Passage Radiant perature Plaza Radiant Temp Plaza Radiant (°C) Temp (°C) Plaza (°C) Caffe Radiant Plaza Temp Caffe Radiant (°C) Temp Between plaza Between & passage plaza Radiant & passage Temp Radiant (°C) radiant Temp (°C) Passa External (°C) Plaza Radiant (°C) Plaza Radiant Temp &A2passage External Temperature (°C) Plaza Radiant Temp (°C) Plaza Caffe Radiant Temp (°C) Between pla mp (°C) (°C) Between plaza & passage Radiant Temp (°C) Passage A2(°C) Radiant Temp (°C) o

o

o

o

o

101

Chart Title 30 RADIANT TEMPERATURE oC

30

20

20

10

10

0

0

25 20 15 10 5 0 20 RADIANT TEMPERATURE oC

25

8

9

10

20

15

11

12

13

Chart Title 14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1 25 49 73 97 121 145 169 193 217 241 265 289 313 337 361 385 409 433 457 481 505 529 553 577 601 625 649 673 697 721

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure 2.31 TAS simulation for radiant temperature for October 2014

External Temperature (°C)

RADIANT TEMPERATURE RADIANT TEMPERATURE RADIANT RADIANT TEMPERATURE TEMPERATURE RADIANT TEMPERATURE Plaza Radiant Temp (°C)

10

Plaza Caffe Radiant Temp (°C)

Chart Title

5

Between plaza & passage Radiant Temp (°C)

0

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1 25 49 73 97 121 145 169 193 217 241 265 289 313 337 361 385 409 433 457 481 505 529 553 577 601 625 649 673 697

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure 2.32 TAS simulation for radiant temperature for November 2014

Passage A2 Radiant Temp (°C)

15 15

o

FEB FEB MAR MAY APR FEB MAR MAY APR FEB MAR RADIANT TEMPERATURE C MAY APR FEB MAR MAY APR FEB MAR APR MAY APR FEB APR 1MAR MAY FEB MAR APR 25MAR JUN MAY FEB APR JUN MAY 49MAR MAR APR JUN MAY APR 73MAR JUN MAY MAR APR 97MAR JUN MAY APR MAY JUN MAY 121MAR APR MAY JUN MAY MAR APR MAY 145MAR JUN APR MAY 169MAR JUL JUN APR MAY JUL JUN APR 193MAY JUL JUN APR MAY 217MAY JUL JUN APR JUL JUN APR 241MAY JUN JUL JUN APR JUN 265MAY JUL JUN APR MAY JUN 289MAY JUL APR JUN AUG JUL MAY 313MAY JUN AUG JUL MAY JUN 337MAY AUG JUL JUN AUG 361MAY JUL JUN AUG JUL JUN JUL 385MAY AUG JUL MAY JUN JUL 409MAY AUG JUL JUN JUL AUG 433MAY JUN JUL SEP JUN JUN JUL 457 AUG SEP AUG JUN JUL 481 AUG SEP JUN JUL SEP JUN JUL 505 AUG SEP AUG JUN JUL AUG 529 AUG SEP JUN JUL AUG SEP JUN 553 AUG JUL AUG SEP JUN JUL 577 AUG OCT SEP JUL JUL AUG 601 AUG OCT SEP JUL OCT SEP JUL 625 AUG OCT SEP JUL AUG 649 OCT SEP JUL AUG SEP 673 AUG OCT SEP JUL SEP OCT SEP JUL SEP 697 AUG OCT JUL AUG SEP 721AUG NOV OCT AUG SEP NOV OCT AUG SEP NOV OCT AUG SEP NOV OCT AUG SEP

External Temperature (°C)

10 10

Plaza Radiant Temp (°C)

5 5

Plaza Caffe Radiant Temp (°C)

0 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure 2.33 TAS simulation for radiant temperature for December 2014

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Between plaza & passage Radiant Temp (°C)

26

27

28

29

30

31

Long passage radiant ( C)Temp Plaza Coffeeshop radiant temperature (& C) Between plaza &Temp the longTemp passage radiant temperature ( Temp C) Between Plaza radiant temperature (Temp C) Radiant External temperature ( C) Radiant mp (°C) Plaza Caffe Temp (°C) Between plaza passage Radiant (°C) Passage A2&temperature Radiant (°C)Tem ture (°C) Plaza RadiantExternal Temp Plaza (°C) Radiant Temp (°C) Plaza Caffe Plaza Temp Caffe (°C) Radiant Temp (°C) Between plaza &Between passage plaza Radiant & passage Temp (°C) Radiant Temp (°C) Passage A2&Rp ernal Temperature (°C) Plaza Radiant (°C) Plaza(°C) Caffe Radiant (°C) plaza passage Radiant Temperature (°C) Plaza Radiant Temp Plaza Caffe Radiant (°C) Between plaza o

o

o

Passage A2 Radiant Temp (°C) External Temperature (°C)

o

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

o

TAS SIMULATIONS AND SPOT MEASUREMENTS RADIENT TEMPERATURE

24 1616

RADIANT TEMPERATURE oC

23.5

1414

23 22.5

1212

22

1010

21.5

TEMPERATURE

TEMPERATURE oC

Comparing spot measurements taken on 31/10/2014 and 09/11/2014 at 12:00 PM- to TAS simulations on the same days and time, it reveals that: Spot measurements on 31/10/2014 showed a range between 2123.5 oC as in figure 2.36, while TAS simulations showed a different range of 13-15 oC as in figure ## Spot measurements on 09/11/2014 at 12:00 PM, showed a range of 15-20 oC as in figure 2.35 and these values match TAS simulations as shown in figure 2.37.

21 20.5

88

66

20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 HOURS

4

19.5 COFFEESHOP

PLAZA

BETWEEN PLAZA AND PASSAGE

PASSAGE 2

Figure 2.34 Spot measurements on 31/10/2014 at 12:00 PM

The simulations for the studied months as in figures 2.31, 2.32 and 2.33 showed an overall of a higher radiant temperature for the plaza while the measurements showed that the area near to the coffee-shop is higher, yet on colder days they are almost the same.

Figure 2.36 TAS simulations for the day 31/10/2014 0 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

HOURS

2525

RADIANT TEMPERATURE oC

20

Plaza Radiant Temp (°C)

Between plaza & passage Radiant Temp (°C)

Passage A2 Radiant Temp (°C)

Plaza Caffe Radiant Temp (°C)

2020

15 TEMPERATURE oC

External Temperature (°C)

1515

10

1010

5

0

55

00

COFFEESHOP

PLAZA

BETWEEN PLAZA AND PASSAGE

Figure 2.35 Spot measurements on 09/11/2014 at 12:00 PM

PASSAGE

1 12 23 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 910101111121213131414151516161717181819 1920 2021 2122 22 23 23 24 24 HOURS

Figure 2.37 TAS simulations for the day 09/11/2014

103

WIND SIMULATIONS

Old building

Air flow simulations using Ecotect Analysis 2011 The simulations in figures 2.38 and 2.39 showed that the wind is coming from the west, north and east directions, the simulations showed an increase in the wind velocity in the area between the plaza and the passage where the wind from all directions meet.

It also showed that the three passages facing NE between the buildings (1&2), (7&4) and (4&3) are less in wind velocity than the long passage.

The passage between the old building and building (1) that’s oriented towards the same direction but wider in width and facing a courtyard has a slight increase in wind velocity.

1 2 6

7

4 3 Figure 2.38 10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

Figure 2.39

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

WIND SIMULATIONS Flow vector simulations using Ecotect Analysis 2011 The simulations showed that wind coming from the west direction towards the plaza and the long passage is divided into two directions as shown in figure 2.40.

Figure 2.41 showed that the presence of trees and fountains in the plaza led to a remarkable decrease in the wind velocity in the plaza.

Figure 2.40 showing the wind from the west direction and it flows towards the plaza and the long passage

Figure 2.41 showing the wind flow vector from the west direction

105

10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS The simulations showed that the long passage has the highest wind velocity over all the passages, so in order to solve this problem some scenarios were simulated to see the impact of urban form and orientation on the long passage.

Scenario 01 What if the Shard tower wasn’t there ?

The Shard Tower is the tallest building 240 m above street level (http://www.rpbw.com/project/58/london-bridge-tower/) near More London (210m away from More London site to the west), so a simulation was made using (Ecotect Analysis 2011) and (Winair) to examine wind velocity with and without the Shard Tower, to understand the impact of high rise buildings on urban micro climates.

Figure 2.42 showing wind simulation for the site without the Shard tower

10.0+ 9.0 8.0

The simulations showed that the presence of the Shard tower as in figure 2.43 led to a remarkable increase in the wind velocity between the plaza and the long passage, while it increased at the second half of the passage to form a wind tunnel.

It also led to a slight increase in the wind velocity in the other passages but not as much as the long passage.

7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

Figure 2.43 showing wind simulation for the site with the Shard tower (the existing case)

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS Scenario 02 What if the passage was double in width ?

By increasing the width of the long passage to double, the simulations showed that wind velocity in the long passage increased and likewise it did in the north passage, due to wind coming from the west and north directions.

Figure 2.44 showing the long passage after increasing its width to double 10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

Scenario 03 What if the passage in the NE direction was double in width ?

The simulations showed that by increasing the width of this passage to double will lead to a remarkable increase in the NE passage and allowing more wind from the north to flow into the long passage.

Figure 2.45 showing the long passage and passage in the NE direction after increasing their widths to double

107

10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS Scenario 04 What if there were trees in the long passage ?

The simulation showed that the presence of trees in the long passage didn’t affect the wind velocity in the first half of the passage, but a slight decrease in wind velocity can be observed in the second half of the passage towards the east.

Figure 2.46 showing wind simulations for the passage with trees

Figure 2.47 showing a 3D simulation for the trees and the wind flow vector

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS Scenario 05 What if there was a canopy & trees in the long passage?

The simulations showed that the canopy didn’t decrease the wind velocity that is coming from the west direction on colder days, as shown in figure 2.40 in page 105 wind has two directions, one is vertical and the other is horizontal, so the canopy could protect the passage from wind that is coming on a higher level above people.

Figure 2.48 showing wind simulations with a canopy in the long passage

Figure 2.49 showing a 3D perspective for the canopy in the long passage

Wind on a sunny day coming from east

Wind on a cloudy day coming from west

Figure 2.50 showing the wind directions towards the long passage

109

10.0+ 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS What if there were trees and vertical partitions protecting the restaurants in the passage ?

This simulation showed that by putting vertical partitions as shown in figure 2.52 with the presence of trees, helped to decrease wind velocity in the passage from 10+m/s to 0.0-5.0m/s, yet the space between the plaza and the passage still the most windy area in the passage.

Figure 2.51 showing trees in the passage and vertical partitions protecting the restaurants in the passage

Figure 2.52 showing a 3D perspective for the trees and the vertical partitions

Figure 2.53 showing a 2D Ecotect plan for the trees and the vertical partitions

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

THE URBAN ENERGY INDEX In order to evaluate the relative performance of More London as an urban space, a calculation was done using the UEI excel file, taking into consideration several parameters; ground space index (0.80m2/m2), floor space index (8.0m2/m2), compactness ratio(0.20m2/m2), orientation ratio (1.0m/m), typical floor height (4.20m), glazing ratio (90%), construction type (low carbon), thermal capacity (very heavy), albedo (dark), buildings functions percentage and the urban form dimensions. At the end a result was calculated for the urban energy index and can be consider ed as an evaluation for the relative performance for the site.

The UEI for the built up area = 115 kWh/m2 The UEI for the urban area = 14 kWh/m2 By changing the construction type to (retrofit) and reducing the glazing to (40%) instead of (90%), and changing the albedo from (dark) to (urban general), the results were as follows: The UEI for the built up area = 116 kWh/m2 The UEI for the urban area = 15 kWh/m2 This calculation showed that 1 kWh/m2 was saved specially because of the glazing ratio, this calculation helped to give an approximate value for the urban energy index.

(RodrĂ­guez Ă lvarez, Jorge: The urban energy index - Lecture, page 16)

Figure 2.54 showing the area that was taken for for the UEI calculations

111

FINDINGS AND RESULTS From the previous observations, interviews, measurements, calculations and simulations some results were found: Wind: - Wind coming from east, north, and west are all affect the site in colder and warmer days.

- The passage that is less windy and more exposed to direct sunlight is more favorable to occupants.

- Wind has horizontal and vertical directions.

- Trees cannot be used as protection from wind in winter and autumn when they start to lose their leaves.

- The presence of the Shard tower increased the wind velocity in the long passage.

- A canopy in the long passage can protect from rain but not from wind.

- The orientation of the long passage led to its exposure to east, north and west wind, and narrowing it was the best solution, yet people see it as windy.

Sunlight, daylight and illumination: - People tend to use semi shaded areas.

- The plaza and the long passage are almost shaded in winter most of the day.

- The long passage caused illumination problems to the facing buildings more than to the passage itself.

Temperature: - While TAS simulations gave a close result in colder days, it didn’t do the same for warmer days, at the same time it gave a yearly estimation that can help evaluate the general performance of the plaza and the passage.

People - The plaza and the long passage are favorable in summer and in the warmer days.

- Although the P.E.T values were slighly high and near to the comfort level, yet people weren’t satisfied because of the direct sunlight exposure in some areas and the lack of rain protection.

Architectural Association School of Architecture - MSc & MArch Sustainable Evironmental Design 2014-2015 - Term 1 Project - Antonio Costa Almeida - Mariana Barreira Moniz - Aly Mahmoud

CONCLUSION The project case study reveals the fact that urban microclimatic importance extends from the spaces between buildings to how they affect the buildings indoors. As such, solving one indoor problem may cause an outdoor one and vice-versa.

The variations of wind velocity at the same hour in the same passage is very difficult to specify and thus to predict and then to give solutions, but it can be categorized by the maximum wind velocity in each passage, so we can have an average wind velocity in each passage in order to understand the impact of the urban form on the urban microclimate, and then we can give alternatives according to these averages.

After looking at the designer’s intentions and what has been studied, it was observed that the project is performing as the designer intended in summer and in warmer days, on the contrary, it didn’t succeed to equally to satisfy tourists/passers-by in winter.

Looking at the outdoor studied area in the specified hours it was found that the plaza is working properly as transitional space, almost two thirds of the year for occupants and passers-by, however, some problems like wind and overshadowing in the long passage are major problems that cannot be solved completely because of the orientation and the urban form respectively.

The plaza has different characteristics, some areas are shaded, some are semi shaded and some are are sun-plotted, some are protected from rain, some are not, so people have the availability to change their position according to their comfort level and climate change.

When putting solutions to wind, overshadowing, direct solar exposure and illumination, a complex solution should be harmonized to deal with the climate changes over the hour, day, month and year, and the alternatives should be studied horizontally and vertically in order to give a general solution not only for the urban microclimates but also for indoors of the surrounding buildings.

Overall, it was observed that comfort level in urban microclimates does not only depend on the physiological equivilant temperature, it also depends on how adaptive the site is and how people can adapt themselves with it.

113