Cardiff University - Wales, UK (2001 - 2006)

I was there as a Research Fellow at the Welsh School of Architecture, but I also did quite a few commercial consulting projects for the Centre for Research in the Built Environment (CRiBE) located within the School.


COMMUNITY CENTRE
Torfaen Council, Wales

This was a detailed study of the optimisation of external shading systems for the adaptive re-use of an existing utility building as a new community centre. A wide range of shading options were modeled and the best performing then optimised for both thermal and daylight performance.


OFFICE/APARTMENTS
Leicester, England

This report looked at the overshadowing effects of a proposed multi-storey office and residential development in central Leicester. It also modeled its impact on natural light levels along the adjacent street frontage.



URBAN CANYON EFFECTS
Hong Kong, China

This was part of a larger research project evaluating methods for modelling daylight and sunlight in high rise residential buildings (see papers one and two). The report dealt with overshadowing, solar radiation and natural lighting, as well as the sensitivity of these metrics to external wall colour.


RESIDENTIAL ESTATE
Cardiff, Wales

This modeled overshadowing, daylight availability and solar gains on external surfaces in and around a large proposed residential complex. The aim was to identify those areas efffectively self shaded so as to optimise the distribution of fenestration and develop responsive shading systems.



ASHRAE 90.1 ANALYSIS
Porto Arabia, Qatar

This project sounded simple but turned out to be huge - using EnergyPlus to carry out an ASHRAE 90.1 analysis by the Building Performance Rating Method on a twenty storey residential tower with offices and retail at lower levels. The analysis required fully modelling the HVAC and electrical systems for both the as-designed and baseline models of the entire building, all with EnergyPlus putting up as much resistance as possible.


STADIUM ACOUSTICS
Zurich, Switzerland

This report presented design strategies and construction techniques to improve the acoustic performance of Hallenstadion during its renovation. The distribution of acoustic metrics including reverberation time, speech intelligibility, early energy analysis and echo disturbance were modeled throughout the hall and then used to recommend surface treatments and ways to reduce sound focussing.



URBAN OVERSHADOWING
Porto Arabia, Qatar

A follow-up to the ASHRAE analysis which modeled the overshadowing effects of the entire urban estate, comprising some twenty high-rise towers and their associated service buildings.


WDA OFFICE BLOCK
Cardiff, Wales

This project used computational fluid dynamics to model bouyancy-driven air flow within the offices and side atrium, as well as the effectiveness of existing natural ventilation pathways.



NOISE ASSESSMENT
Swansea, Wales

This report assessed the urban noise enviroment around a primary school and recommended the design and construction techniques required to ensure classrooms and teaching areas were not unduly disturbed while still providing for adequate natural ventilation opportunities.


SCHOOL DAYLIGHTING
Swansea, Wales

A detailed study of natural light levels and daylighting systems within the classrooms, teaching areas and assembly hall in a large pimary school.



HOSPITAL COURTYARD
Prescot, England

The report compared the daylight performance of three proposed courtyard configurations within a three-storey hospital building. The primary criteria was to maximise daylight availability in all the patient rooms surrounding the courtyard.


CLASSROOM DAYLIGHTING
Reading, England

This study assessed the lighting performance of an innovative classroom design in a special school in Reading. The report looked at direct sun penetration and glare potential through the clerestory fenestration as well as the distribution of natural light levels at different times of the year.



MORPHA STADIUM
Swansea, Wales

This was a study of the cumulative availability of solar radiation on the playing surface at different times of the year. From this, photo-synthetically active radiation (PAR) levels and turf growth capacity were determined. This led to a detailed calculation of the optimised amount and location of glazing within the roof.


DONCASTER STADIUM
Doncaster, England

This report also looked at the cumulative availability of solar radiation on the playing surface of the proposed stadium at different times of the year, thereby determining photo-synthetically active radiation (PAR) levels and turf growth capacity.



HULL STADIUM
Hull, England

Another report looking at the cumulative availability of solar radiation on the playing surface of the proposed stadium at different times of the year, thereby determining photo-synthetically active radiation (PAR) levels and turf growth capacity.


BENFICA STADIUM
Lisbon, Portugal

The aim of this study was to advise on design solutions to maximise incident solar radiation on the pitch throughout winter in order to maintain turf growth and regeneration even in low-light conditions.



MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Cardiff, Wales

This involved a detailed lighting simulation of the foyer area and main auditorium of the Welsh Millenium Centre. The aim was to simulate the visual ambience of the space in order to explore a range of lighting layout designs.


CORONATION APARTMENTS
Cardiff, Wales

This report was a preliminary study of a row of apartments, used as a case study to develop automated compliance facilities for Part-L of the UK building regulations.



LOW-ENERGY FACTORY
Neath Port Talbot, Wales

This report was both a natural lighting and visualisation study for a low-energy factory at Baglan Energy Park. The study involved a detailed ECOTECT model of both factory and attached offices, and the use of Radiance to generate lighting images.


GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Cardiff, Wales

This involved a detailed natural lighting study to ensure adequate daylight across the office floors despite the use of a solid mid-facade in front of an open atrium.



CHURCH BUILDING
Bristol, England

This was a simple right-to-light study looking at the potential impact of a proposed development on natural light levels within a small suburban church.


LA FOSSE RESTAURANT
Cardiff, Wales

This project involved the acoustic modelling of the interior in order to advise on the retrofit of acoustic treatments to reduce internal noise levels when the restaurant was at capacity.



Lincolne Scott - Sydney, Australia (1996 - 1997)

I was part of the Advanced Environmental Concepts (AEC) group working on the environmental design of a range of commercial projects and several facilities for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. AEC subsequently became the Built Ecology section of Lincolne Scott, which later joined WSP Group.


GPO REDEVELOPMENT
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This was my first project with Lincolne Scott, requiring the calculation of space loads over all floors using the TAS thermal simulation software, and then plant modelling to assist the mechanical engineers size equipment.


ARCHERY CENTRE
Sydney Olympics, Homebush, Australia

I was involved in the natural lighting and thermal simulation sections of this report. A further section dealt with natural ventilation and air flow effects due to the angled roof using CFD analysis.



EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
Sydney Olympics, Homebush, Australia

This report mainly involved in the natural light modelling and shading design alongside the architects. Also required was some simple CFD modelling for the natural ventilation analysis.


VISITORS CENTRE
Sydney Olympics, Homebush, Australia

A full report which included lighting and thermal modelling as well as extensive shading design, working with BHP to best utilise their expanded metal mesh products – given that they were the sponsors of this building. Unfortunately, I believe that this project did not go ahead.



OLYMPIC VELODROME
Sydney Olympics, Homebush, Australia

The focus of this report was the design of the rotating annular louvres used for protection against direct sun. Rotation schedules were also detailed for different times of the year based on solar position and natural lighting requirements.


HENDLER-SHEIN HOUSE
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This project was an energy efficient house in Sydney. It required the design of a range of controllable shading devices and integrated solar collectors as well as thermal and natural light modelling.



BT FUNDS TOWER
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This report required a determination of the maximum solar envelope fully compliant with LEP restrictions in the Sydney CBD, for use by the design architects Foster and Partners. The green area at the top represents additional height found.


BT FUNDS TOWER
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

As the tower designs progressed, a number of addition over-shadowing studies were performed to ensure full compliance. This required developing special techniques for calculating and visualising only the cumulative additional overshadowing of each new design.



GREENPEACE OFFICES
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This report looked at the thermal performance of an existing open-plan office floor in terms of its suitability for naturally ventilated cooling rather than air conditioning. Greenpeace were refurbishing the space and wanted to know what they would have to do to provide adequate comfort without installing a HVAC system.


STUDENT UNION
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This report studied the performance of the proposed natural lighting design of Macquarie University's extension to its Student Union. It dealt in detail with an innovative louvre system above the central atrium as well as with facade shading systems.



Independent Consulting - Perth, Australia (1994 - 2000)

Whilst a Ph.D student and later as a lecturer at the University of Western Australia, we were always encouraged to take on outside consulting projects and establish relationships with local and national practices and organisations.


GILIVER AVENUE
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This report was prepared as an expert witness in a Federal Court case. It involved the objective assessment of solar access rights, comparing actual solar radiation levels falling on existing windows before and after the construction of the obstructing residence.


SOCIAL SCIENCES BUILDING
The University of Western Australia

This report involved a comprehensive analysis of natural lighting levels in all areas of the building as well as some guidelines for the design of shading devices.



STIRLING CIVIC COMPLEX
Perth, Western Australia

The project involved a multi-storey development making use of opaque glass panels. The report required an overshadowing and reflection analysis to protect a nearby busy road from excessive glare.


OFFICE DEVELOPMENT
Perth, Western Australia

This was a simple overshadowing study required by the city council for building approval. The main concern was its effect on nearby open spaces used by many office workers during lunch.



LEEUWIN ESTATE
Margaret River, Western Australia

This was the first in a series of studies of wine storage facilities comparing the thermal effects of high levels of internal thermal mass compared to traditional lightweight insulation panels.


ARROWFIELD WINERY
Hunter Valley, South Australia

This was the second thermal study for a wine storage facility, this time in the Hunter Valley in South Australia, once again comparing the effects of high internal thermal mass or a super-insulated envelope.



LS BOOTH WINE STORAGE
Sunshine, Victoria, Australia

This project was a simple shed. The report compared HVAC loads if it was constructed of a lightweight Bondor insulated sandwich panel or a much heavier proprietary insulated tilt-up concrete walling system.


WERRIBEE WINES
Werribee, Victoria, Australia

Another thermal study of a winery, this time using earth-berms and partly underground. This report required much more extensive research into ground temperatures and slab edge effects.



LECTURE FACILITY
Charles Sturt University NSW, Australia

This was the first in a series of acoustic design consultancies for CSU. This was an earth bermed lecture hall on its Thurgoona campus that used the area beneath the seating as a cooling plenum for its natural ventilation system.


GYMNASIUM EXTENSION
Charles Sturt University NSW, Australia

This was a much more complex acoustic job in which a gymnasium in the Bathurst campus was to be extended for use also as an assembly hall and organ recital facility.



INTERACTIVE LEARNING CENTRE
Charles Sturt University NSW, Australia

This building was the Dubbo campus, and included a central library surrounded by video conference rooms for students to 'attend' lectures at other campuses. This report dealt with reverberation time and isolation issues.


ST MARY'S DRAMA HALL
Perth, Western Australia

This report was an analysis of the acoustic performance of the hall and included the design of a number of internal reflectors. The study also included simulations of the proposed lighting design.



CAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL
Camden, New South Wales, Australia

This report was the first in a series of natural lighting studies undertaken for the Department of Public Works and Services in Sydney. It was simply a study of natural light levels in each class-room under different sky conditions.


STUDENT WORKSHOPS
Woolongong TAFE, New South Wales, Australia

This report presented the results of a study of the rooflighting system proposed by the DPWS for the teaching workshops at the Woolongong TAFE in New South Wales.



OLYMPIC VILLAGE SCHOOL
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This report is one of five classroom studies done for the DPWS to compare a range of natural lighting and ventilation options for new schools in New South Wales.


STUDENT WORKSHOPS
Woolongong TAFE, New South Wales, Australia

Once again, a simple natural lighting study of the design for a science classroom by DPWS for Thurgoona TAFE in New South Wales.



PRISON GATEHOUSE
Goulbourn, New South Wales, Australia

This too was a simple study of the natural lighting design proposed by the DPWS for the main visitor entry area at Goulbourn Prison.


POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Geraldton, Western Australia

This report analysed the shading requirements for windows on all facades of the proposed Police building in Geraldton in the north-west of Western Australia.



AQUATIC CENTRE
Geraldton, Western Australia

This report considered the shading requirements of a new aquatic center in Geraldton, as well as mechanisms to handle condensation resulting from the heated pool enclosure.


POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY
Perth, Western Australia

This report presented a study of passive design principles applicable to the proposed design of the new Police Training Academy north of Perth. The study looked at environmental impact, life-cycle costing and comfort.



ASSEMBLY AREA
Perth, Western Australia

This was a relatively simple project designing daylight strips in the roof above a covered school assembly area.


GREAT SOUTHERN SCHOOL
Albany, Western Australia

This report studied the effectiveness of a number of roof-lighting options for the central areas between classrooms for a school in Albany, in the south-west of Western Australia.



COMMUNITY CENTRE
Kojonup, Western Australia

This report involved all aspects of the passive design of a community center in the wheat belt of Western Australia. It included material selection, the design of vents for air flow, light-shelves and apertures for natural light and a thermal analysis.


DOMESTIC RESIDENCE
Perth, Western Australia

This was a site overshadowing analysis for a residence being built in an experimental high-density suburb of Perth, Western Australia.