The ever-changing workplace trends – such as the adaption of flexible office hours, hybrid working approaches, and co-working spaces, have resulted in a particular amount of creative layout outpour and flexibility in modern office designs, influencing its overall technological services.
The core service of any office design – HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) play a significant role in office layouts. They are considered the backbone of green commercial structures. Hence, proper planning of HVAC designs should significantly contribute to cutting down energy and saving costs. From finding the right HVAC system to its finishes and finishes, what goes behind the scenes with the architects and contractors? Read more to find out!
Which is ‘the one’?
Often designers come down to the basic question – How does one select the right HVAC system? Anika Mittal Dhawan, Founder and Principal Architect, mold design studio, explains, “Selection and design of the HVAC should be made keeping in mind the site location, orientation, facade design, occupancy, activity in the space throughout the day, materials and daylight into the space. Based on these, the appropriate system should be selected and designed according to the available space. While designing the air-conditioning system, other design factors that could help reduce HVAC load and costs are insulation of floors and walls and using insulated/DGU glass with correct U-values. These could be part of the design to help reduce HVAC load and reduce solar gain into the building. Once the system is selected, the design will eventually be based around the floor layout and available ceiling heights.”
Sustainability has become a critical part of commercial offices, but how do architects ensure that their HVAC systems contribute to this green movement? Nikhil Shenoy, Head – MEP & Technology, Space Matrix and Praneeta Moorthy, Manager – Sustainable Solutions, Space Matrix, elucidates, “When designing an eco-friendly HVAC system, it is important to consider the type of refrigerant used, how much airflow is required, and the heating and cooling equipment used. Keeping the system simple and reducing waste are also important considerations in green building design.”
Behind the scenes
HVAC has revolutionised architectural books by enabling enclosed structures and tall buildings. Offices now have a healthier and more comfortable environment, humidity control and temperature control for their well-being. But what challenges does the architect face in this seamless HVAC design? Monica Chadha, Founder and Interior Designer, Design Deconstruct, opines, “One challenge is having flexibility in the HVAC solutions for future space requirements, to be able to alter the HVAC design with its interior renovations.” Also, “Specially-trained HVAC consultants are an important authority in the industry because HVAC and its types are an integral part of a building.”
Just like architects, HVAC experts tackle a lot of hurdles while consulting and installing HVAC systems in new projects or while retrofitting systems in existing structures, Karn Chaturvedi, Technical Deputy General Manager, Asia Pacific, 75F, reveal, “When purchasing a new HVAC system, facility managers want the best heating and cooling professionals available to install it. Employing inexperienced contractors increases the likelihood of defective installation, which can result in a variety of problems ranging from poor performance to increased energy use. The following are some of the most common HVAC installation issues.
- Incorrectly sized units: Many facility managers feel that the larger the heating and cooling system, the better. Nevertheless, installing an incorrectly sized unit usually results in insufficient conditioning, making it challenging to keep your home comfortable throughout the hot summer months. It can also drastically boost monthly energy bills in the long run. Before beginning the installation process, a reputable HVAC firm will ensure that your heating and cooling system fits your office well. If you acquire the incorrect-sized unit, their crew will assist you in finding the ideal air conditioner for your space without exceeding your budget.
- Undersized ductwork: To distribute air throughout your office premise, your heating and cooling system collaborates with your ductwork. Undersized ductwork, on the other hand, can put a lot of strain on your HVAC unit, making it harder to keep your indoors cool. Professional Services HVAC contractors will inspect your ductwork to ensure it is compatible with your heating and cooling system. If they discover that your ductwork is undersized, they will offer experienced suggestions on solving the problem without spending a fortune. It’s critical to remember that your duct size must match your unit’s output capacity for it to work properly.
- Inadequate installation of an overflow drain: Overflow drain installation is critical for preventing leaks, system floods, and other HVAC issues. Incorrectly installed overflow drains can cause moisture to build up within your ducting, leaving your office space vulnerable to substantial water and structural damage that can be costly to repair. Improper overflow drain installation can also lead to mould growth within your unit, lowering the indoor air quality in your office.
- Incorrect refrigerant: HVAC units require a specific refringent type to function correctly. Using the incorrect refrigerant might reduce your system’s performance and overall comfort. A reputable HVAC contractor will ensure that your unit obtains the correct refrigerant and will assist you in refilling it as needed. This will keep your system in good working order while letting you keep your office at the desired temperature all year.”
A green contribution
With the aim of efficient features, reduced energy consumption and blending each building material into their environment, commercial facilities are making a better contribution towards the green building movement. But what should be done by architects to preserve the same? “Architects and designers can use computational software to collaboratively design efficient HVAC systems, incorporating energy-efficient equipment, improving insulation and air-sealing, and implementing smart controls and monitoring systems,” states Nikhil Shenoy and Praneeta Moorthy.
“Using materials for the HVAC system with low embodied energy, such as recycled or locally sourced materials, can help reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The development of smart HVAC systems, using advanced sensors and control technologies, can optimise energy usage and improve indoor air quality,” the duo specifies.
Talking about the green building movement, “HVAC systems factor in 50% of the energy demand in a building. Therefore, it is crucial to analyse the load consumption and focus on reducing the cooling load of the built space,” opines Shenoy and Moorthy.
They further add, “MERV 13 or better efficient filters must be integrated into the filtration systems for better filtration. Occupant control of the HVAC system is also essential. Technology such as mobile, cloud-based, and IoT technologies can create enormous opportunities for data collection, sharing, and analytics impacting the way buildings are run.”
Integrating IoT
Newer technologies such as cooling systems and geothermal cooling systems, thermally driven air conditioning, Ductless HVAC systems, smart HVAC technology, Predictive maintenance etc., have remodelled the designs of HVAC systems. IoT, on the other hand, helps in maintenance by providing real-time data to its respective contractors, leading to fuel conservancies and remote control powers. Karn Chaturvedi elaborates, “IoT has transformed the definition of Smart HVAC. The market has evolved from simple programming thermostats to various sensor types that feed data to algorithms and apps for remote adjustments. To monitor and enhance systems, IoT devices transmit and analyse data. The data gathered can be used to automate, plan maintenance, and optimise a building’s system. The increasing use of IoT in residential and commercial buildings leads the industry towards more cost-effective and advanced technologies for managers and owners to satisfy energy and efficiency targets.”
“IoT is particularly beneficial in the HVAC business for tracking vibration, airflow, pollutants, the number of occupants, weather conditions, and other variables. Monitoring important stress indicators and doing remote analysis enhances troubleshooting and makes establishing preventative maintenance easier. The combination of smart HVAC and IoT enhances metering and optimisation feedback. Owners and managers can satisfy energy consumption and efficiency targets while maintaining occupant comfort and IAQ,” states Chaturvedi.
An architectural revolution
Overall, HVAC systems are responsible for 38% of energy consumption and half of the global greenhouse gas emissions in building construction. The Gartner Gurgaon, a project designed and built by Space Matrix, is an excellent example of how they leveraged HVAC technology in the design. Shenoy and Moorthy divulge, “We utilised the latest HVAC technologies and solutions to create a comfortable and energy-efficient environment for the employees working in the new office space. The HVAC system was designed to maximise indoor air quality, reduce energy consumption, and provide individual temperature control for the occupants. To achieve this, the design team incorporated various features, such as a highly efficient central air conditioning system, an automated lighting and temperature control system, and a dedicated outdoor air system to ensure a constant supply of fresh air.”
“In addition, they also utilised sustainable materials and technologies in the construction of the building to reduce the carbon footprint and promote environmental sustainability making Gartner COE an excellent example of how we leveraged HVAC technology to create a high-performance and sustainable office space for our client.” The partners conclude.