Gatwick:
Located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of central London, is one of the city’s major international airports. Gatwick plays a role in tracking London’s climate through its IWEC (International Weather for Energy Calculation) station.
Coordinates: Latitude: 51.099351, Longitude: -0.178547
Altitude: Approximately 70 meters (230 feet) above sea level. This area is relatively flat and does not have significant elevation changes.
Site Area: 3500 sqm
Climate Category: Temperate Maritime Climate (Cfb) under the Köppen Climate Classification.
This climate is common in much of southern England and is characterized by:
- Mild winters, cool summers.
- No dry season—rain is evenly distributed throughout the year.
Climate Analysis
Annual Average Temperature
Annual Dew Points Temperature
Annual Relative Humidity
Seasonal Characteristics
Conclusion: Gatwick’s temperate climate has:
- Warm, moderately humid summers, requiring ventilation and shading
- Cool, damp winters, emphasizing insulation and moisture management.
- Spring and autumn have moderate temperatures, marking transitional weather.
Adaptive building designs should address seasonal comfort and energy efficiency.
Annual Wind Rose
- Gatwick experiences active wind conditions, predominantly influenced by westerly and southwesterly winds from the Atlantic.
- The obtained data indicates that wind speeds range from 0 to 4.40 m/s.
Annual Wind Speed Graphics(Monthly)
Seasonal Wind Rose
Spring: Southwest winds are common. Wind speeds are moderate.
Summer: Southwest winds continue, but slightly slower. During this period, focus can be placed on using open areas.
Autumn and Winter: Wind speeds are generally higher. Stronger winds come from the southwest.
Comfort Conditions
Average Temperature Range 22-27C
Relative Humidity Range 30-60%
Average Wind Speed Range 2-5m/s
Conclusion: The summer months have some comfort conditions that make them the least likely months to require building treatment.
Sun Path Studies
Gatwick has a sun path that varies significantly throughout the year due to its position in the Northern Hemisphere and its relatively high latitude. (Affects the amount of solar radiation the city receives during different seasons).
Key Factors:
- Latitude: London’s higher latitude results in significant differences in the length of daylight and the sun’s altitude between summer and winter.
- Seasons: London experiences longer days in the summer (up to 16.5 hours in June) and shorter days in the winter (as short as 7.5 hours in December).
- Solar Altitude: The maximum solar altitude is lower than in equatorial regions, peaking around 62° at solar noon in the summer and 15° at solar noon in the winter.
Solar Radiation Studies
In Gatwick, the amount of solar radiation varies significantly between summer and winter.
- Sun’s Altitude: As the sun’s angle in the sky decreases in winter, the amount of direct solar radiation hitting the ground also decreases.
- Day Length: Longer days in summer mean more solar exposure, increasing the total radiation received.
- Weather: Gatwick experiences significant cloud cover, especially in the fall and winter months, reducing the total amount of direct solar radiation.
Annual Solar Radiation:London’s annual average global horizontal irradiance (GHI) is around 1,100-1,200 kWh/m²/year, which is typical for temperate regions with variable cloud cover and relatively high latitudes.
- In the summer months, London receives up to 5-6 kWh/m²/day of solar radiation, especially during clear skies in June and July.
- In the winter months, solar radiation drops to 0.5-1.5 kWh/m²/day, primarily due to the low solar altitude, shorter days, and frequent cloud cover.
This variation in the sun’s path and total radiation throughout the year affects energy use, heating, and lighting needs, as well as the potential for solar energy generation.
Building Design According to Sun Path Studies
- Sitting the sun path on the location
- Southern Facades are the most exposed to the sun.
- The Main Goal is to maximize the sun hours and the total radiation for the building in Winter and try to protect the building in Summer by studying the latitude of the sun.
Used Strategy:
Analyzing the sun path and its relation to the surrounding buildings shades:
- Using the sun rays directed to the surrounding buildings as constraints to the outlined volume of the building we’re designing.
- Use these rays as cutting edges to the building form.
- Find the best form for the building to be receiving the most amount of sunlight and also allowing the sun rays to the surrounding buildings to avoid the shading affected by the buildings
According to the seasonal sun path:
- Sun latitude is so low in winter
- Sum latitude is high in summer
The solution was to make overhangs for the windows.
Environmental Factors Affecting Comfort
Sun Effect: Increases heat stress in summer, provides warming in the morning hours in winter.
Wind Effect: Provides cooling effect in summer, cooling effect in winter.
Combined Effect: Sun and wind play a balancing role together
Psychrometric Chart & UTCI
Psychrometric chart and UTCI analysis reveal ‘mild heat stress’ in summer and ‘severe cold stress’ in winter at Gatwick. 18-24°C and 40-60% humidity levels are ideal for thermal comfort. These findings suggest that seasonal differences should be taken into account in design strategies.
Materials Analysis
Analysis: Wood offers a more balanced and comfortable surface thanks to its low thermal conductivity.
Conclusion: Wood is the most suitable surface for thermal comfort; concrete and sand can cause discomfort in hot weather conditions.
Analysis: Asphalt reaches its highest temperatures in the summer months, increasing thermal stress. While rock surfaces offer limited stability, grass surfaces provide coolness, maintaining temperature balance throughout the day.
Conclusion: Grass is best for thermal comfort and temperature control. Asphalt can be uncomfortable without shading.
Afforestation and Settlement
Afforestation: Broad-leaved trees such as the London Plane Tree reduce surface temperatures in summer and provide natural cooling; in winter, they shed leaves and let in sunlight. They combine with grass surfaces to optimize thermal comfort.
Wind Direction: The building is positioned to receive cooling winds in summer and reduce cold winds in winter. Trees limit cold stress by creating a wind barrier.
Result: Thermal comfort is increased throughout the year by providing cooling in summer and protection in winter with tree and wind strategies.
Environmental Simulations
Wind Analysis via Infrared.City
Minimum Wind Orientation
Maximum Wind Orientation
Average Wind Orientation
Galapagos+Infrared.City
RESULTS & OUTLOOK
What Did We Learn?
Results
Climate Adaptation is Key:
- Gatwick’s temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers requires adaptable designs to address seasonal temperature variations and humidity levels.
- The dominance of southwest winds emphasizes the need for wind-responsive architectural strategies, such as natural ventilation and windbreaks.
Solar and Radiation Insights:
- Seasonal solar variations significantly impact energy demands:
- High summer radiation (5-6 kWh/m²/day) necessitates shading to prevent overheating.
- Low winter radiation (0.5-1.5 kWh/m²/day) highlights the importance of solar gain for heating.
- Effective façade orientation and shading devices can optimize solar efficiency year-round.
Thermal Comfort and Materiality:
- Materials like grass and wood provide stable thermal environments and enhance outdoor comfort.
- Asphalt and concrete surfaces, while durable, increase thermal stress unless shaded or treated.
Design Optimization in Urban Contexts:
- Orientation and height optimization:
- Building height of 12m minimizes wind disruptions while maintaining compatibility with our plot.
- South-facing facades maximize solar efficiency and natural lighting.
- The use of double-skin facades and high-performance glazing ensures energy efficiency and comfort.
Outlook
Integrated Sustainable Strategies:
- Afforestation: Planting species like the London Plane Tree enhances thermal comfort by providing shade in summer and allowing sunlight in winter.
- Improved insulation and glazing technologies reduce heating and cooling loads, aligning with energy-saving goals.
Urban Livability and Energy Efficiency:Insights from this course enhance the balance between pedestrian comfort, energy optimization, and aesthetic quality, contributing to long-term sustainability goals.
