English

This paper describes the design and development of the natural ventilation system of the new Contact Theatre Complex Manchester, UK, designed by A Goldrick of Short Ford Associates. The ventilation design is based on a stack dominant system using an "H-Pot" chimney configuration. The paper describes the development of the ventilation design of both the studio theatre and main auditorium ventilation systems.

The traditional way to dehumidify the outdoor air in a heating, ventilating and airconditioning (ENAC) system is by cooling the air temperature down below the dew point.For this process a refrigeration system is necessary to realise these low temperatures.Nowadays the disadvantages of refrigeration systems are widely known. An alternativemethod to dehumidify the air is by separating the process of dehumidification and cooling.There are different ways to get low supply air temperatures for cooling the indoor spaces.

The moonlike landscape and the heat of the site suggested us the creation of an oasis open to the northern cool breaths from the Northeast and to close our house toward the sun and torrid winds from the South. That's how the idea of a curved wall embracing the house and a patio was born, recalling ancient stone protections for vineyards. · We transformed the stone wall into a complex element, forming a natural air-conditioning chamber which works as a breeze catcher and due to the design of it's different elements, regulates the interior climate of the house.