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Natural ventilation is an important design strategy to reduce building energy consumption and carbon emissions while supporting occupant health and comfort. At the same time, extreme heat events associated with climate change, the global COVID-19 pandemic and wildfire smoke have brought increased attention and complexity to ventilation approaches. What is the best approach for long-term resilience?

Join Mithun partner Bill LaPatra and Thornton Tomasetti vice president Colin Schless for “Harnessing Natural Ventilation to Address COVID, Wildfire and Climate Change” to explore the variety of contextual factors affecting designs, occupant health and an energy profile – using the LEED Platinum certified and 75% naturally ventilated UC Irvine Middle Earth Towers student housing as a program case study. The presentation will incorporate analysis tools that consider temperature models through the year 2080; passive design strategies and active systems that assist natural ventilation; the cost of alternatives and execution; and innovations in operable window typologies, glazing innovations, exterior shading systems and passive ports.

Date Posted: 08.26.2021