Natural Ventilation in Buildings: A Design Handbook (BEST (Buildings Energy and Solar Technology))

"... this is an exceptionally well researched book on a subject of great importance and some controversy "-- WORLD ARCHITECTURE

The benefits -- environmental, economic, and for occupants’ comfort and health -- of ventilating buildings naturally, rather than mechanically, are becoming increasingly recognized and sought after.

Approaches can be high-tech or low-tech, but always need to be part of an integrated design approach. A range of technical barriers, such as building codes, fire regulations and acoustics, also need to be taken into account.

This new handbook describes the real potential of natural ventilation, its appropriate use, the design and dimensioning methodologies, the need for an integrated design approach, and how to overcome barriers. It includes a CD with software to assist in the calculation of airflow rate in natural ventilation configurations.

The book provides essential design information for all architects, building engineers and other building design professionals. The work was coordinated by Mat Santamouris from the University of Athens, Greece, and involved experts in numerous European countries.

Mat Santamouris is an Associate Professor of Energy Physics at University of Athens and Visiting Professor to the School of Architecture, Low Energy Unit at University of North London,UK.

Francis Allard of the University of La Rochelle, France, based on the contributions from internationally recognized experts in this field.