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Wind Control Features in Building Design Hidden Gems: Reputation Resources Results
Wind Control Features in Building Design Hidden Gems: Reputation Resources Results
Wind Control Features in Building Design Hidden Gems: Reputation Resources Results
ISSUE NO. 18
Many examples of buildings that have benefited from RWDIs Microclimate Studies are University Ave.,Toronto located throughout the world, with hundreds of such projects residing in the Greater Toronto Area alone. This RWDI Technote highlights a few buildings in Toronto that considered pedestrian wind comfort during the design process and have incorporated wind control features in the buildings seen today.
CASE STUDIES 150 and 200 King St. West (27 and 24 Storeys)
The design architect from the Webb Zerafa Menkes Housden Partnership (WZMH) had visited with RWDI at the schematic design stage of this project. The architect was involved in a hands-on process with RWDI microclimate staff to examine the influence of the developments shape, placement and tower orientation on the local wind environment. The project was at a very early design stage where the architect had the freedom to shape these towers to consider wind effects. A mock-up of the original development concept was constructed of modeling clay in order that the conceptual building masses could easily be modified and moved around on the site model. To account for the influence of surrounding buildings on local wind patterns, a massing model of the towers was included on a model base with the surrounding buildings. The model was placed in RWDIs Water Flume, which is a 1.2m (4 ft) wide channel that uses water to simulate wind. With the entire model submerged under the water flow, a dye trace was used to visualize wind flows around the buildings in order to identify areas of relative calm or accelerated wind. The circular model base was rotated to examine all prevailing winds. To dampen undesirable wind effects, low-rise terraces were incorporated along the northern site limits. In addition, a combination of inset and projecting floors were incorporated in the University Avenue facades. A glazed, free-standing canopy was installed along King Street to control down-washing winds. Coniferous trees placed on the east terrace cut the cold winter winds. Once the design features were finalized with the architect, wind speeds were measured in RWDIs wind tunnel to quantify pedestrian wind comfort on and around the buildings and to make final adjustments to the design. These two towers represent one of RWDIs better examples of a Toronto development that accounted for pedestrian wind comfort as early as the schematic/concept stage, and followed through by incorporating many wind control features in the final product constructed.
Low-rise terraces, trees and canopies dampen wind speeds along the sidewalks
Space frame canopy shelters pedestrians on the north and south sides of the tower
developer wished to retain large open plazas on the north and south sides of the tower. Filling these amenity spaces with coniferous trees (to control winter winds), wind screens or shelters was, therefore, not an option. Water flume flow visualization and wind tunnel tests in fact confirmed that such measures alone would be ineffective. The tests did demonstrate, however, that a canopy placed well above the plaza level would provide the wind shelter desired. Space frame glazed canopies were incorporated near the fourth floor level on the north and south sides of the tower. These features promote enjoyment of the large open outdoor amenity spaces seen in the building today.
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