Ten years of environmental university building

The authors have been involved in over ten years of environmental consulting and research on university buildings. Numerous simulations and measurement studies have occurred over this period of time. The intentions have always been to improve and optimise the environmental performing aspects of a building. This paper is a reporting of the implemented strategies, their pre-building research investigation as well as their operational outcomes. Their successes and failures are discussed here. This research is intended as a feedback loop to future design specification, commissioning and maintenance improvements. In hindsight many of the environmental concepts, when executed as planned, were successful. However, often those requiring extensive control, such as lighting, ventilation and mechanical air-conditioning were a failure. The observations between simulation and actual performance are also noted. The paper includes discussion about some of the obstacles in building procurement which can hinder the result of a good environmental performing building.