Investigations into raising thermal performance

Studio Pacific’s summer scholar for the 2011/2012 period was James Sullivan, at the time studying towards his Masters in Building Science at Victoria University. James holds a particular interest in energy performance and sustainability.

James' research, extending the work begun by the previous year's summer scholar, investigated raising the thermal performance and reducing the heating energy consumption of the nine case study houses using different design strategies such as orientation, window to wall glazing ratios, location, thermal mass, and overhangshading; as well as a dozen different construction methods. He then looked at different combinations of those design choices, and their cumulative impact on the thermal performance of each house.

James’ research looked at heating energy consumption during the house’s ‘operative phase’, when construction is complete and the house is in use. 

Download the 2012 paper here.