THE LIVING ATRIUM- Design guidelines for quality atriums by Kenneth Gardestad Arkitektur examen The Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm, Sweden 1980 SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE STUDIES AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JUNE, 1986 @ Kenneth Gardestad 1986 The author hereby grants to M.I.T. permission to reproduce and to distribute publicly copies of this thesis document in whole or in part Signature of the author - Kenneth Gardestad Department of Architecture May 15, 1986 Certified by Timothy Johnson Principal Research Associate ^ Thesis Supervisor Accepted by Julian Beinart Chairman Departmental Committee for Graduate Students .0 A THE LIVING ATRIUM-* Design guidelines for quality atriums by Kenneth Gardestad Submitted to the Department of Architecture on May 15, 1986 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Architecture Studies ABSTRACT Modern technology has made it ecomically feasible to span large glass-enclosed structures which are socially sufficient and convenient for less mobile groups of the society like handicapped, elders and children to virtually spend days, weeks or even months in a comfortable indoor climate. However, it is plausible that any positive effects of a manipulated environment can turn sour if the created climate is not closely simulating natural conditions. There is a danger of building in faulty and shortsighted presumptions neglecting the close relationship that exist between social, biological, medical, technical and aesthetical needs. This thesis, divided in two parts, has the broad aim to strengthen the architectural and technical foundation for a good atrium design in order to provide a suitable environment for the coexistence of people and plants in relation to comfort, health, climate, technique, aesthetics, and energy consumption. The scientific purpose is to establish new design criteria and methods in order to create a B useful base for intelligent decisions in fulfilling the ultimate vision of a living atrium. The study will specifically focus on design guidelines with respect to climatic conditions affecting plant growth and human health and comfort within atriums. Part one is a discussion regarding major variables affecting human health, comfort and plant growth in atriums. Also included is a detailed study, recently conducted by the author, investigating the impact of new glazing technology on plant growth. Part two presents various useful design guidelines which can be used to moderate climatic conditions and enhance plant growth in atriums. A detailed lighting investigation, conducted by the author, is also presented as a design tool for determing the distribution of illumination levels in top-lit atriums during overcast conditions. The method can be used to rapidly identify plant growth zones in an arbitrarily porportioned and top-lit light-well. Thesis Supervisor: Timothy Johnson Title: Principal Research Associate C TITLE PAGE p. 1. ABSTRACT A-B TABLE OF CONTENTS C-D PREFACE E ACKNOWLEDGEMENT F-H INTRODUCTION 2-8. PAR'T 1: MAJOR VARIABLES AFFECTING PLANT GROWTH AND HUMAN HEALTH AND COMFORT- A CALENDER OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE REGARDING INFLUENCING PROPERTIES AND THEIR RELATED RESPONSES CHAPTER 1: PROPERTIES p. 9 - 44. CHAPTER 2: RESPONSES p. 45-71. CHAPTER 3: IMPACT OF DIFFERENT GLASS TYPES ON PLANT GROWTH A STUDY ON PLANT GROWTH RESPONSE TO DAYLIGHT TRANSMITTED THROUGH GLASS WITH DIFFERENT SPECTRAL ABSORPTION - CONDUCTED BY THE AUTHOR AT MIT THE SPRING OF 1986. p. 72 - 90. PARf 2: DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR A HEALTHY PLANT GROWTH AND HUMAN HEALTH AND COMFORT IN ATRIUMS. CHAPTER 4: MAJOR LIGHTING MEASURING METHODS p.91 -98 D CHAPTER 5: DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR QUALITY ATRIUMS p. 99 - 109 CHAPTER 6: GUIDELINES FOR SKY LIGHT ILLUMINATION IN ATRIUMS A REPORT ON A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE AUTHOR AT MIT THE SPRING OF 1986. p. 110 - 150 CONCLUSION p. 151 - 152 APPENDICES p. 153 - 161 REFERENCES p. 162 - 163 BIBLIOGRAHPY p. 164 - 166 E PREFACE Almost ten years ago, when I was working on a project for new university facilities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, I first encountered many intriquate design problems which were intinitely linked to climate. Paradoxally I found that different economical and technical limitations, such as a rather tight budget as well as an unreliable and sparce supply of electricity for air-conditioning and lighting, seldom put any aesthetical constraints on the design. On the contrary, these restrictions necessitated a sensitive play with massing, forms and detailing, which utilized passive means for climate control, while giving the buildings character and high levels of comfort and convenience. Today, I'm increasingly convinced that a sensible understanding of natural climatic resources, like the sun and the wind, and a well founded consciousness of the physical and biological environment around us is an asset in the design process, not only in developing countries, but all around the globe independent of technical and economical standards. This knowledge will supply the designer with a sharp chisel for expressing fascinating architectural forms indeginous to the specific site, while meeting all the technical, economical, and functional demands of a modern society. "The Living Atrium" is only one aspect of the designed environment, however, the expected extensive use of atriums in the future and the implications this might impose on the society, makes it well worth an interrogative exploration. Note: Coincidentially, Richard Saxon has devoted a section in his book, "Atrium Buildings- Developmer* and Design", to "the living atrium". The author acknowledges this, but believes that the concept hasbeen brought a step further in this thesis than in his version of the theme. F ACKNOWLEDGEMENT No knowledge is derived out of nothing and obviously I have many to thank for their contribution to this thesis. Some have been specifically essential for my understanding of the varied and often extensive academic and technical material that forms the spine of my investigation. However, much -if not all- of my studies would have been severely hampered without an economic base to start from. I'm deeply grateful to Dean John de Monchaux, head of the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massashusetts Institute of Technology, for granting me money from the Cabot Fund, which enabled me to carry on my quest for knowledge beyond the usual limits in exceedingly strainful economic conditions. Also, scholarships granted by the Fulbright Commission and the Swedish-American Foundation, though not directly linked to this thesis, have formed a substantial financial and emotional core of my studies at the Massashusetts Institute of Technology and I'm forever thankful for their support. The elaborate study of plant response to the impact of light transmitted through various glass types would not have been possible without all the glass samples kindly offered by Guardian Industries Corporation, and I especially thank Product Development Engineer Jason Theios for turning the administrative wheel and supplying me with needed data. Among the different responses to my interrogative questions there are some that crystilized and stood out a little further, though I've highly appreciated them all. However, comments and suggestions by Photobiologist Christos Mpelkas, Manager-Photobiological Applications at GTE Products Corporation,. Sylvania, have been extremely valuable for a more thorough understanding of plant responses to different environmental conditions. Mr. George Clark, G former President of the Illuminating Engineering Society, has helped me to set up contacts within his field. Associate professor Harvey Brian at the Massashusetts Institute of Technology has given me significant academic support as well as suggestions regarding daylight research methods. Mr. Charlie Tilfor at Southwall Technologies Inc. has supplied me with new research results on plant response to heat absorbing glass. I dearly appreciated the time and effort spent by Dr. Richard Wurtman and Dr. Harry Lynch at the Massashusetts Institute of Technology for explaining the intricate effects of light on the human body. There are also colleagues and friends across the Atlantic who have offered me useful comments on the content of my thesis. Professor Anders Liljefors at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, has supplied me with insights regarding the important influence of psychological factors on the human interpretation of light quality. Landscape architect Jan Str6mdahl, gave me the first lessons in plant response to light and the importance of balancing all influencing climatic factors for a healthy plant growth. I also want to extend my gratitude to my collegue and friend, Architect Hakan Bj6rk, for accompanying me on a sometimes stressful but tremendously interesting atrium tour thoughout northern America during the summer of 1985. Of course, my deepest appreciation is reserved for my advisor Timothy Johnson, Principal Research Associate at the Massashusetts Institute of Technology. His sturdy knowledge of general research methods and technical issues has guided me past many possible pitfalls, but I'm also grateful for his personal belief in the importance of the topic and his encouragement at critical moments. It is common, and this thesis is certainly no exception, to designate the last part of the H acknowledgement to your deerest. So, it is with delightful