Effectiveness of window signalling systems in open-plan workplaces: Evidence from field work

Occupants are often unaware of window-opening strategies that can enhance their well-being and reduce energy consumption. Window feedback systems that indicate when to manually operate a window have become a strategy for enhancing the indoor climate, occupant’s satisfaction and energy efficiency. These systems are recognized for providing the...

Dynamic optimization for minimal HVAC demand with latent heat storage, heat recovery, natural ventilation, and solar shadings

Satisfying thermal comfort in indoor spaces is still a challenge in terms of energy saving, and several HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) systems have been proposed for this purpose. This paper conducts an analysis to evaluate and optimize the long-term operation of a novel HVAC system installed at The Green Village, a living...

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Silica Gel Packed Bed for Passive Humidity Control in Museum Rooms: MSc thesis

In this thesis the passive humidity control of indoor air is laid under review. This is primarily interesting for museum rooms, where strict requirements apply to the indoor air humidity. Passive humidity control is promising to contribute to stabilizing the relative humidity levels in a room. <br/><br/>Besides, the use of passive humidity...

Thermal comfort perception and indoor climate: Results from the OPSCHALER project

The average energy consumption for heating of dwellings in the Netherlands has been decreasing over the last decades as a result of increasing thermal performance of new and renovated dwellings. However, this decrease is found to be lower than energy performance models predicted. One of the possible reasons is the behaviour of the residents,...

Healthy workplaces: what we know and what else we need to know

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the impact of buildings on the creation of healthy workplaces (HWs) and end users’ physical and mental health and well-being. The paper presents available research on the impact of workplace layout, interior design, indoor climate and “green” offices. It ends with reflections on the main lessons learned,...

Atrium Deltion Revised: Comfort Research and Design Intervention for the improvement of indoor comfort in the atrium of Deltion college

The current building industry needs drastic transformation to meet new performance standards regarding energy use and indoor climate requirements. It so happens that even with new buildings, the results leave something to be desired. This Master thesis describes the specific case of an atrium in the Deltion College building. The research is...

Indoor environment quality as a multi-level, multi-factor, multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder issue

A condensed version of the inaugural speech “Understanding the indoor environment” spoken on May 22, 2013 at the occasion of her acceptance of the position of full professor of Indoor Environment at the Faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology.

Vegetation in the workenviroment, vegetatie in de werkomgeving

Transforming an existing office building to improve creativity and the indoor climate by using the potential of vegetation.

A comparative evaluation of low-energy, passive and zero-energy houses in The Netherlands and Belgium

The presented research aims to evaluate highly energy-efficient dwellings, in particular Passive Houses (PH), in Flanders and in The Netherlands, based on end-user experiences. In the introduction the definition of PH in the Benelux countries Belgium and The Netherlands is compared with the Nordic countries and certification and comfort issues...

Expected effects of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) for the indoor climate

Designing Indoor Climate

The quality of the indoor climate of buildings is the result of design decisions that architects make. In order to have the ability to correctly design indoor climate, designers need feedback on the performance of the design. Indoor climate analysis may provide this type of feedback. This research aimed to improve the design process on the...

Human factors in thermal indoor climate and therma comfort

Modeling of indoor thermal conditions for comfort control in buildings