In 2014 I began writing ‘Detailed Blogs’ at the invitation of Mathew Duder of ‘EBOSS: NZ’s Architecture Product Library’ – www.eboss.co.nz/detailed/keith-huntington . Eboss publishes a monthly series of Digests of new and updated information which is of interest to Eboss’s wide ranging Building Industry readership. While there is an emphasis on contributions from Manufacturers and Suppliers writing of their products and systems, Mathew also wanted to provide more general technical comment unrelated to specific commercial materials and processes.
For over a decade now I have been writing these irregular Blog Posts on the general topic of the sustainability aspects of our dwellings within the Build Environment. In particular my emphasis has tended towards exploring the passive thermal performance of our Homes when under the major influences, both positive and negative, of sun, wind, rain, humidity, etc. Also the passive effects of the surrounding built and natural topography are important. Of course over-laying all these aspects is the ever-changing fickle weather.
It is only after designers give conscious thought to these factors, and the positive passive means of controlling their negative characteristics (such as shading and screening), can the need for appropriate artificial heating, cooling, ventilation, etc., be considered so as to further moderate the comfort levels for the Occupants.
What I do not do is to provide specific answers or solutions to building inadequacies as there are usually a multitude of paths to a desirable result. Instead, I try to remind readers of the basic physical principles governing construction, and also to raise questions as to why particular approaches are used when there are other ways that may give a more satisfactory outcome in a particular circumstance.
As an example; an early Blog of April 2014 ‘Insulation, Glazing & Thermal Mass: Is There a Simple Relationship‘; and a follow-up in December 2014 ‘Insulation, Thermal Mass & Glazing: The Juggling Game‘, discuss the reality that our static houses exist in dynamic exterior settings.