Although the REEXS-principle Reinforced Exhaust System) has been the object of numerous investigations, who found substantial improvements compared to ordinary local exhaust ventilation hoods, it is far from being generally accepted and used. A Swiss team consisting of researchers of the ETHZ (Swiss federal institute of technology), the EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research) and the company Sulzer Infra have started a project for further investigations of REEXS hoods in the frame of the COST G3 action Industrial Ventilation.

Technology Programme INVENT took place in Finland from 1991 to 1996. In this programme over 100 R&D projects were completed and over 20 Million US dollars used to promote industrial ventilation equipment, systems and services. Based on this, an European COST Action, G3 Industrial ventilation started to further promote this technology. The main aim of the action is to write the "bible" of Industrial Ventilation, DGB, Handbook of Industrial Ventilation. The first part of the book, fundamentals, comes out end of year. The publisher is Academic.

The acoustics and ventilation method allows the designer to explore natural ventilation and acoustics issues at an early design stage. Few input parameters are necessary, like the number of people the space must accommodate and the volume of air per person appropriate to the acoustic function. While allowing the comfort temperature to rise during occupation by some 10 to 15%, the natural ventilation and acoustics can be discussed via the volume of the space.

The Equitable Building, which opened on 1January1948, in Portland, Oregon, was the first of a new architectural form. Technically and aesthetically it was radically different from any previous structure. It was a fully air conditioned building, clad with sheer aluminium curtain walling and huge expanses of sea green tinted sealed glass. It was fully electric with heat pumps providing heating and cooling from underground aquifers. The architect was Pietro Belluschi, an Italian immigrant who originally trained as an engineer and the mechanical engineer was J.

This paper gives an outline of the work that has been carried out in developing a positive ventilation chiller. The demand for air cleaning equipment in public areas and work places (especially where smoking is permitted) had previously prompted the development of a highly innovative ventilator, featuring a combination of ventilation, recirculation and filtration of air. A refrigeration system was successfully retrofitted into the ventilation unit. The chiller is aimed at improving the working and living environment where modem air conditioners are beyond affordability.