STUDENT:

MIHAIL PANDREA
STUDENT Iw15020162:
HUMAN COMFORT ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS

ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDY WATCHMAKER KIOSK

TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION2
REQUIRED CONDITIONS.3
LOCAL AND MICRO CLIMATE6
THERMAL COMFORT8
VENTILATION10
LIGHTING.11
CONCLUSIONS...13
BIBLIOGRAPHY....14

INTRODUCTION TO THE BRIEF AND THE KIOSK

In the fifth project of the first year and the first
of the first semester, the 3.1 adaption project,
I was given the task of designing a 12sqm
footprint kiosk that will fit the needs of a
watchmaker. The brief required working with
the same site we worked on the previous
project, stating strict guidelines regarding the
plot. The height must not e xceed the first floor
of the former building and the layout of the
kiosk was outlined in three options to choose from, in relationship with
the street/building: half in -half out, inside the building or outside the
building. The site I was given is located on Pink Lane Street, a narrow
street located downside Clayton Street, being close to the Newcastle
city centre . The former building offers generous space on the faade,
the main issue was delivered by the street having a w idth of only
5400mm. The final layout of my concept occupied 1470 mm of the former
pedestrian zone, designed in a rectangular plan dimensions of 3000 x
4000 mm, with a circular faade with the height of 3100 mm.

The client needs are to be fulfilled so the kiosk must have a selling
point,
a
storage
area,
exhibition
points/shelves
and
an
office/workplace for the watchmaker, all in 12sqm footprint
building. The street does not offer proper natural conditions for the
job of watchmaker to be practiced, la cking in natural light, fact
that also influences exterior exhibition and colour distinction for a
potential customer. A small place implies a small amount of people
coming at a time into the space, fact that led to a concept plan
with open spaces, but at the same time applying the brief
requirements regarding public/work spaces.

REQUIRED

NVIRONMENTAL

CONDITIONS

W IT H IN A ND AR O U ND T H E K IO SK

In order to achieve a feasible design, and deliver it to the client,

an architect must survey the environmental conditions of the site
and think about the human comfort factors that can influence the
habitat he is designing. In this context, the site has the faade
orientated to South-West, the kiosk encounters overshadowing,
faces the wind that blows from the west side most of the time,
according to Windfinder.com (Windfinder, 2016) and gets natural
light mostly at sunset.

Fig. 1

Standards :
Light.
A watchmaker requires between 650 -700 lux in order to achieve
work in detail. A daylight factor of at least 2% is required in a
n o r m a l b u i l d i n g h a b i t a t (2008, CIBSE)(Burberry, P. 1970). I n c a s e o f
exhibition and detailed work (watchmaker kiosk), a higher level is
needed. In the working area, if the natural light is not high enough
to supply the needs of the watchmaker, artificial light will
compensate to reach the recommended lux level of 700. Storage
space must not face direct sunlight, due to the fact that chemical
products such as : lavender oil, diamond paste, almond oil, used in
polishing quartz crystals , and other small watch pieces, will
interact and deteriorate, some of them discomp osing in hazardous
chemical elements. For the exhibition area, directional light is
required, neutral type of lightbulbs being recommended, such as
Tri-Phosphor Fluorescent led or the lighter variation of Ceramic
Metal Halide, so the customers can judge c olours of the objects
( w a t c h e s ) b y t h e r e a l n a t u r e o f m a t e r i a l s (2008, CIBSE). I n t h e s e l l i n g
point, diffuse light can be used, as long as the level of 400-450 lux
is accomplished. In the watchmaker -client discussion/reparation
area supplementary directional lighting is needed, highlighting the

centre of the desk, the place where the object to be repaired is

presented by the customer.
Heat.
An acceptable zone of thermal comfort for most people in the UK
lies roughly between 13C (56F) and 30C (86F), wi th acceptable
temperatures for more strenuous work activities concentrated
towards the bottom end of the range, and more sedentary
activities towards the higher end. (1999, HSE, p3)
Environmental site studies show that outside the kiosk the average
temperature during winter is between 3 C and 7C, and between
12-19 C in summertime, facts that imply proper insulation and
ventilation methods applied to the kiosk in order to maintain a
thermal comfort for both, the client and the watchmaker. Heat
factors such as body heat release will occur during opening times
of the kiosk, fact that will add to the average temperature inside
the building. Being attached to another building, half of the kiosk
being host by the inside of another habitat that is heated will al so
add to the temperature of the space.
In the workplace, excess of heat, will have the same effect for the
chemical products as light exposu re or overexposure does

Fig. 2
4

Air Quality.

Relative humidity exceeding 70% (could be lower in special

circumstances) could, for standard living conditions lead to
condensation on cold surfaces , followed as an effect of it, by
corrosion, moisture related deterioration and mould.
Lowering the relative humidity level can lead to issues regarding
static electricity, shrinkage and deterioration of wood panels,
furniture and wood floors and also cracking of covering materials,
such as paint.

Acoustics.
Acoustics are not a factor of influence in this spe cific context. The
site mid-day-measured level of decibels is 68,2db, which is not
recommended for work that requires in -detail concentration such
as the work of a watchmaker. The kiosk structure and cladding will
imply sound insulation in order for the de cibels level to decrease
to 45-50 db.

Fig. 3
5

LOCAL AND MICRO CLIMATE

In order to achieve a eco-friendly, feasible and low-cost
alternative of the initial design, a close look at the site facilities is
needed. In this context , Pink Lane is a narrow, windless at most
stages of the street, not crowded, lacking in sunlight street in
South-West part of the City Centre. The kiosk is located at the end
of the street, being close to Clayton S treets traffic and crowd
which automatically affects the noise level heard by the
inhabitants of my design. Bringing wood as cladding with proper
insulation, will cut 25-30% of the outside measured decibels level
(68db average measured on 22 nd February 2016).
Kiosk noise level calculations, compared to outside levels:
Location:
I NSI DE KI OSK
OUTSI DE KI OSK

Noise Level: 9am

45db
72db

Noise Level: 1pm

37db
66db

Noise Level: 5pm

40db
68db

Facing an open space and being located close to Clayton -Pink

Lane intersection , the kiosk encounters direct wind coming from
the west, the predominant wind direction for Newcastle coming
exactly from that way.
Having winds blowing with speeds up to 22m/ s,
the kiosks cladding and glazing must permit
no infiltrations, this is why the concept was
built with double-glazed windows and superinsulated treated wood panels. The weather in
Newcastle
implies
high
amount
of
precipitation, this is why the cladding wood is
to be treated with waterproof solution.
Fig. 4.

With the street having an average building height of 13500mm,

the watchmakers kiosk is also overshadowed, fact that leads to a
lack of natural light and solar gain, but lets the building avoid
over-heating during summer.
Natural light occurs on the right side of the street(exact plot
location) at a level of 742 lux as an average, after measurements
taken on a sunny day (2016, February 23 rd), during potential
opening hours for the watchmaker kiosk: 9am 5pm

SHADOWS AND WI ND:

Fig. 5.
Areas that avoid infiltrations on the faade, are all rubber treated:

Fig. 6.

THERMAL COMFORT
Thermal comfort is a main feature for any design. Having a 12sqm
kiosk, this feature becomes even more important. Designed for no
more than three people to be in the space at a time, the thermal
comfort of the space is mostly influenced by body heat
and
relative humidity as well as heating method, heat loss, solar gain
and proper ventilation. Being located in the North East of England,
the kiosk must be heated in order to maintain thermal comfort,
especially during winter time.
For humans relative humidi ty below 25% feels uncomfortable dry.
Relative humidity above 60% feels uncomfortable wet. Human
comfort requires the relative humidity to be in the range 25 - 60%
RH. (Baruch, G., 1998)
A relative humidity setter is a feature of the kiosk and it is set to
keep RH between 40 and 50%.
Air movement is another important part of thermal comfort, the
various and faster the movement, the higher volume of heat and
moist evaporates through the space, raising both temperature and
relative humidity.

Fig. 7.

Table showing occupant reaction to air movement (Baruch, G, 1998).

During winter, heat l oss is an issue to take account of when

d e s i g n i n g , e s p e c i a l l y i n a p l a c e l i k e N e w c a s tl e . T h i s i s w h y I
have chosen materials according to proper ventilation during
summer and avoidance of heat l oss during winter. Super insulated wooden panels for cladding with an interior layer of
biological treated wood for the ceiling, as well as floor he ating
method with 5 radiators, three in the customer/public area and
the other two in the workplace, the space of a potential third
one being occupied by the storage space, where relative
humidity, natural light and temperature are being kept
separately by the watchmaker at a level imposed by each and
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every chemical substance he is using in the process as long as

the design comes with a cold -insulated storage area,
especiall y for this kind of encounter.

Fig. 8
Heat l oss is also linked with
glazing,
being
another
important
part
of
kiosk
insulation
I
have
chosen
doubl e gl azing so the kiosk
w i l l f a c e n o i n f i l tr a t i o n s a n d
reduce the heat l oss during
winter. The glazing comes with
4 opening panels that allow
natural
ventil ation,
being
helped by the orientation of
the street, that offers an air
flow right in the direction of
the window openings.
9

Fig. 9

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VENTILATION:
A proper air flow throughout the building allows the air quality to
be maintained to high standards for the inhabitants, both, the
clients and the watchmaker, as it is stated by NHS that if not
enough fresh air comes into the room you live/work in, you will
face a decrease in concentr ation/awareness and may face
headaches/sleepiness at the same time (NHS, 2013). Natural
ventilation is available at the site, by using windows shuttles, but
can not be controlled due to the wind speed that is inconstant for
some times of the year. The vent ilation method I wanted to
implement to this kiosk is known for being used in Passivhaus
concept. The E-Stack uses less energy than normal air filters and
uses the air flow to mix incoming air with the inside air.

Fig. 10. E-stack air flow movement and principle of working.

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HEAT LOSS OF THE KIOSK:

By using this strategy, the heat gains which arise in the room
through the use of lights, computer equipment and body heat, are
used to heat the incoming air. (breathingbuildings.com, 2015) .

Lighting:
Due to overshadowing, the kiosk design Daylight factor is not
fulfilling clients needs, this is why, in the process of design, the
only way I could get natural light into the building was by adding
an oculus on the top of watc hmakers office, because that is the
place where natural light is mostly needed. Sunpath diagram shows
the exact amount of light that comes towards the building, due to
its positioning facing south-west, and being covered by the
shadows projected from the tall facades across the narrow road.

Fig. 11 Sunpath diagrams ( SunCalc.net)

DAYLIGHT FACTOR:
DF WI TH OC ULUS SH UT : 2 ,24 %

11

DF WI TH OC ULUS O PEN : 3 , 53 %

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All of the features of the kiosk rely on the light. Whether it is about
exhibition or working, the space is enhanced by light. It has been
designed not to depend on natural light, but provide artificial light
using different types of leds that compensate th e lack of natural
light during the day, especially in the workplace of the
watchmaker. Proper lighting tools were used in the design of the
desk where the watchmaker does the detail work, the amount of
light must always be >700 lux for polishing and fine cutting small
dimensioned pieces of further watches., so 3 fluorescent shelveback leds and 1 double-sided lamp were mounted nearby the
watchmakers desk. The use of light inside the building is based on
two ways, direct and diffuse light, depending on the activity of the
specific area that is to be lit. For example, direct neutral light from
whether Ceramic Metal Halide lightbulb or Tri -Phosphor Fluorescent
led will go on the exhibition panels, allowing the true native colours
of the objects to come out exactly how they are in a process of
colour comparison/judgement by a potential client.

Fig.12 Concept lighting models, directional, diffuse/ storage light.

Fig. 13 Types of possible light to be added to the kiosk concept.

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CONCLUSIONS

As a brief conclusion, my watchmaker kiosk concept, fulfils both

the function and the comfort for the client and also fits the brief
regarding the split of spaces in a 12sqm footprint building. Facing
the western wind, but making it go over the roof, due t o the
aerodynamic shape of the faade and properties of cladding . Not
enough natural light offered by the street but an oculus saved the
concept, and the needed lux level (700lux for the workplace and
exhibition and 400lux for retail area) are there by the help of an
artificial light-display with various types of leds and lightbulbs.
Super-insulated walls and double-glazed windows that allow the
heat to remain inside but also for natural ventilation to have its
flow through the building when wanted also add to the design
features. Along the above mentioned, the way I have chosen to fit
the kiosk half in, half out, does nothing but linking the street with
the former building and at the same time enhancing the
atmosphere with a design that fits the spirit of t he place and takes
on curious characters to discover and experiment my way of
designing a new and adapting an old environment.

WordCount: 2325

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Bibliography:

Baruch, G (1998) Climate Considerations in Building and Urban Design., New York:
Wiley
Armstrong, J. Butcher, K. (2008) CIBSE concise handbook, 2008 London : CIBSE 2008
Randall, T (2006) Environmental Design: An Introduction for Architects and Engineers. 3 rd edn.
Abingdon: Taylor & Francis
Szokolay S (2004) Introduction to Architectural Science: the basis of Sustainable Design. London:
Architectural Press
Burberry, P (1997) Environment and Services. 8th
edn. Harlow: Longman
McQuiston F. C.,(2004) Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning: Analysis and
Design John Wiley & Sons; 6th Edition
edition
(2016), Hsg Thermal Comfort
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/media/wwwlboroacuk/content/healthandsafety/occupati
onalhealth/HSG194_-_Thermal_Comfort.pdf Accessed: 25th Feb 2016
(no date) Sustainable Workshops,
sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/light
(2016), Indoor air quality
http://www.vaisala.com/en/industrialmeasurements/applications/HVAC/iaqandhu
mancomfort/Pages/default.aspx Accessed: 21st Feb 2016
(2016), Windfinder,
http://www.windfinder.com/windstats/windstatistic_newcastle.htm Accessed: 19th
Feb 2016
(2016) Sunpath calculation
http://www.suncalc.net/home.html Accessed: 23rd Feb 2016

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