English

Comfort conditions in a warm/hot environment can be achieved by means of several cooling strategies ranging from the obvious sun shading to the less obvious radiant cooling. These strategies are identified and three selected computer models are evaluated in terms of their capability to cope with them. The result is that the most popular or sophisticated computer models available are not able to deal with passive cooling. Also the problem of is the interface between currently available computer models and their final users, the architects, is analyzed.

Variable-air-volume systems utilize some of the latest technology available to control zone temperatures and save fan energy. In fact, the energy savings can be quite substantial. Then why do engineers and building managers have reservations about using this type of system? Probably the memory of past experiences. The chain of design, equipment selection, installation, and air balancing must be tailored to a building’s needs or conflicts will arise. There are many disciplines to consider when creating a VAV system, and if one link is weak, there can be trouble.

This paper surveys the state of integration of passive cooling devices in buildings. This survey illustrates the fact that there are no general prescriptions for the integration in the design of passive cooling devices. Further the present paper does not intend to propose general prescriptions for the integration of cooling devices in design but only to illustrate a number of existing problems.