An investigation into the optimal combination of hybrid ventilation design (case study: contemporary office buildings in Nairobi)

Abstract

Passive and active ventilation modes have long been used to ventilate office buildings. However, active ventilation strategies have taken over, with many designers choosing to design fully glazed office towers to match those in the Western countries, whose aesthetics are associated with power and dominance. With current focus on the environment today, these active strategies have come under scrutiny and passive means of ventilation have come back into focus for many designers especially when designing for Nairobi‟s climate. However, natural ventilation is not always adequate to fulfil a buildings ventilaton requirements. This research project therefore aims to investigate the optimum use of hybrid ventilation as an alternative ventilation strategy. The literature review gives information on the various types of ventilation strategies and their merits and demerits. The author then uses the case study method to conduct the research. Three case studies confined to Nairob‟s central busines district (CBD) are selected, namely ICEA building, Lonrho House and I&M towers. Data for the study was obtained through observations, questionnaires and interviews with the office building occupants purposively sampled. Findings from literature review are compared against data from the case studies so as to gauge the performance of the study parameters. Based on the research findings, the author draws recommendations that can be adopted to advance the existing ventilaton systems used in office buildings in Nairobi‟s CBD. Recommendations for imminent research are also outlined, opening doors for expansion of the study subject in future research undertakings