Analysis of potential for natural ventilation and passive cooling

Awning type operable window

Casement type operable window

High and low operable windows to facilitate stack effect airflow

Whether or not to include operable windows is a potential question during façade design. BEM can be used to inform this decision by providing information about potential energy savings and the potential for providing comfort conditions through natural ventilation.

A full discussion of natural ventilation impacts, alternatives and modeling approach can be found here: natural ventilation design features.

Additional considerations:

• During schematic design, many design details will not yet be decided, and judgment will be necessary regarding the appropriate level of detail in the model and appropriate assumptions for model inputs.

• To provide quick design feedback, consider whether a shoebox model representing a typical space can provide the necessary information.