The cooling potential of a variable insulation green roof system developed by the author is compa... more The cooling potential of a variable insulation green roof system developed by the author is compared to green roofs with different levels of insulation and an insulated roof. The variable insulation green roof system consists of an insulated ceiling and a sensor operated fan that uses logic rules to selectively couple and decouple the green roof’s mass with the interior environment to maintain thermal comfort. When the fan is ON the plenum is ventilated, coupling the mass with the space and when it is OFF the ceiling is not ventilated uncoupling the space with the mass. Tests have been conducted over several years at the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies in California State Polytechnic University Pomona, located in a hot and dry climate with mild winters about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Results are good, and the variable insulation green roof performs better in the summer than a regular insulated green roof.
A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can control different systems in a building ... more A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can control different systems in a building by measuring indoor and outdoor temperature was developed. This paper presents results of several series with the controller operating both a whole-house fan that optimizes cooling with outdoor air and a window shading system. This paper also quantifies the effects of modifying the amount of thermal mass on
A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a building ... more A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a building according to comfort requirements and resources in the environment has been developed by the authors. This intelligent control system has been tested measuring indoor and outdoor temperature to operate a fan and/or blinds. This paper presents some results of a study done in the summer of 2004, comparing the performance of the test cell operating with both the fan and shades with previous series in the summers of 2002 and 2003 with only either the fan or the shade operating. All of them were also compared to a reference cell without shades or fans. Other variables, such as the amount of mass and insulation levels are fixed in all series.
Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed countries bec... more Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed countries because these consume the most energy and have the most resources, but sustainable architecture is also important in less developed countries. As developed countries implement conservation measures and the population of less developed countries increases, these will approach or surpass the consumption levels of developed countries. Less developed countries also offer opportunities to implement alternative low energy strategies. Passive cooling systems have already been in use for hundreds of years in vernacular buildings and use a fraction of the energy used by conventional mechanical systems. A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat can further improve their performance by monitoring outdoor conditions and adjusting the systems accordingly. This will ultimately lead to a building that can adapt to daily and seasonal rhythms, with a strong connection with the environment. This thermostat has been tested with radiant, indirect evaporative, and ventilative cooling systems, in the last case also combined with smart window blinds. The ventilative cooling system and equations derived from the experimental work that permit to calculate internal maximum temperature as a function of outdoor maximum temperature, daily swing, window area, and thermal mass, are described in this paper.
Abstract This paper describes some ideas and strategies implemented by the author in the teaching... more Abstract This paper describes some ideas and strategies implemented by the author in the teaching of ecological design to beginning architecture students at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. All second year architecture students in our department are introduced to sustainable design in the spring of their second year. Lecture courses are integrated with the design studio portion of the course, in which students design a sustainable building and evaluate its performance using different analog and digital tools. ...
To increase the application of nocturnal ventilative cooling (night flushing) and daytime comfort... more To increase the application of nocturnal ventilative cooling (night flushing) and daytime comfort ventilation an intelligent control system has been designed that manages air flow according to cooling needs in a building and resources in the environment. This system is a microcomputer-controlled thermostat with both indoor and outdoor temperature sensors that can control a whole-house fan, in addition to the furnace and air conditioner. No such thermostat is currently available commercially. The rules for various control strategies have been programmed and tested using two slab floor test cells. It has proven effective in reducing both the maximum temperature and the number of overheated hours in the test cell, compared to the control cell. An "optimum" series was tested experimentally and modeled with the HEED computer program in different California climate zones demonstrating potential savings for ratepayers.
This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temperature of ... more This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temperature of buildings using test cells with different configurations. Three cells are used in these tests, all of them cooled with night ventilation, one with an insulated green roof, another with an uninsulated green roof and another with a conventional code compliant insulated roof.
American Solar Energy Society National Conference ( …, Jan 1, 2006
ABSTRACT This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temper... more ABSTRACT This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temperature of buildings using test cells with different configurations. Three cells are used in these tests, all of them cooled with night ventilation, one with an insulated green roof, ...
Abstract Heat flows (gains or losses) in a building are affected by solar radiation, internal gai... more Abstract Heat flows (gains or losses) in a building are affected by solar radiation, internal gains and temperature differences. A prototype of a tool that evaluates solar radiation on building envelopes has been developed as an applet to run on the Internet. This tool analyses the relationship of the solar position with the surfaces of complex envelopes by evaluating the potential amount of direct solar radiation that each surface section receives as a function of the angle of each surface with the sun for specific days and latitudes.
SUMMARY Between 40 to 50% of the CO2 in earth's atmosphere is produced during the construction an... more SUMMARY Between 40 to 50% of the CO2 in earth's atmosphere is produced during the construction and operation of buildings. The reduction of energy consumption in the building sector is usually addressed by installing energy efficient appliances, windows, lighting, air conditioners, and building a tighter, better insulated envelope. But architects can also accomplish much by using passive cooling or heating systems to manipulate energy to cool or heat a building naturally.
Summary Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed count... more Summary Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed countries because these consume the most energy and have the most resources, but sustainable architecture is also important in less developed countries. As developed countries implement conservation measures and the population of less developed countries increases, these will approach or surpass the consumption levels of developed countries.
ABSTRACT The project" To Inhabit de Device" was awarded one of 25 prizes in the international com... more ABSTRACT The project" To Inhabit de Device" was awarded one of 25 prizes in the international competition" 25 Bioclimatical Houses for Tenerife" organized by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Canarias and sponsored by the International Union of Architects in 1995. The construction of the 25 prototypes has been rather slow and only now is our project nearing completion.
ABSTRACT The design of buildings is a complex process in which decisions are taken during the des... more ABSTRACT The design of buildings is a complex process in which decisions are taken during the design stage that critically affect the habitability and energy performance. In this sense, large window areas allow more daylight into a space, but they may also allow excessive heat gains or losses which increase the air-conditioning cooling or heating load, and the energy consumption.
ABSTRACT Climate change is caused by an increase in the concentration of green house gas emission... more ABSTRACT Climate change is caused by an increase in the concentration of green house gas emissions due to human activities and is the most pressing environmental challenge facing our civilization. Buildings are responsible for a large portion of the world's green house gas emissions and in the United States they are responsible for about half of all green house gas emissions of anthropogenic origin.
ABSTRACT A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a ... more ABSTRACT A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a building according to comfort requirements and resources in the environment has been developed by the authors. This intelligent control system has been tested measuring indoor and outdoor temperature to operate a fan and/or blinds.
ABSTRACT: Green roofs have many benefits over conventional roofs, they reduce storm water runoff,... more ABSTRACT: Green roofs have many benefits over conventional roofs, they reduce storm water runoff, the heat island effect in cities, and energy requirements for cooling; all of this while sequestering some CO2 from the atmosphere. But because of their expense, the building industry has yet to fully embrace their large scale implementation.
ABSTRACT. A computer program, CODYBA, has been used to simulate thermal conditions inside a build... more ABSTRACT. A computer program, CODYBA, has been used to simulate thermal conditions inside a building in a tropical region with high values of temperature and humidity. Different combinations of mass, air changes, shading, and thermal insulation were studied to detect adequate combinations of materials and design strategies for this climate.
Resumen En el presente artículo se explican los criterios y el proyecto de las viviendas del conj... more Resumen En el presente artículo se explican los criterios y el proyecto de las viviendas del conjunto «Nueva Democracia», de 1000 unidades en 25 hectáreas, en el cual el gobierno regional, la comunidad y la universidad se unieron para resolver un problema habitacional. El proyecto, actualmente en construcción, promueve la organización de la comunidad en tres diferentes niveles o dominios proyectuales: el nivel global-urbano; el nivel intermedio-vecinal, y, el nivel lote-vivienda.
Abstract A test cell that simulates a closed building with shaded windows is used to analyse the ... more Abstract A test cell that simulates a closed building with shaded windows is used to analyse the effects of the heat gain on the performance of a radiant cooling system. The cell has a light metal doublesloped roof at the outside, which acts as a nocturnal radiator and below this roof are hinged, lightweight and operable, reflecting panels that are closed during the day and open at night.
The cooling potential of a variable insulation green roof system developed by the author is compa... more The cooling potential of a variable insulation green roof system developed by the author is compared to green roofs with different levels of insulation and an insulated roof. The variable insulation green roof system consists of an insulated ceiling and a sensor operated fan that uses logic rules to selectively couple and decouple the green roof’s mass with the interior environment to maintain thermal comfort. When the fan is ON the plenum is ventilated, coupling the mass with the space and when it is OFF the ceiling is not ventilated uncoupling the space with the mass. Tests have been conducted over several years at the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies in California State Polytechnic University Pomona, located in a hot and dry climate with mild winters about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Results are good, and the variable insulation green roof performs better in the summer than a regular insulated green roof.
A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can control different systems in a building ... more A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can control different systems in a building by measuring indoor and outdoor temperature was developed. This paper presents results of several series with the controller operating both a whole-house fan that optimizes cooling with outdoor air and a window shading system. This paper also quantifies the effects of modifying the amount of thermal mass on
A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a building ... more A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a building according to comfort requirements and resources in the environment has been developed by the authors. This intelligent control system has been tested measuring indoor and outdoor temperature to operate a fan and/or blinds. This paper presents some results of a study done in the summer of 2004, comparing the performance of the test cell operating with both the fan and shades with previous series in the summers of 2002 and 2003 with only either the fan or the shade operating. All of them were also compared to a reference cell without shades or fans. Other variables, such as the amount of mass and insulation levels are fixed in all series.
Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed countries bec... more Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed countries because these consume the most energy and have the most resources, but sustainable architecture is also important in less developed countries. As developed countries implement conservation measures and the population of less developed countries increases, these will approach or surpass the consumption levels of developed countries. Less developed countries also offer opportunities to implement alternative low energy strategies. Passive cooling systems have already been in use for hundreds of years in vernacular buildings and use a fraction of the energy used by conventional mechanical systems. A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat can further improve their performance by monitoring outdoor conditions and adjusting the systems accordingly. This will ultimately lead to a building that can adapt to daily and seasonal rhythms, with a strong connection with the environment. This thermostat has been tested with radiant, indirect evaporative, and ventilative cooling systems, in the last case also combined with smart window blinds. The ventilative cooling system and equations derived from the experimental work that permit to calculate internal maximum temperature as a function of outdoor maximum temperature, daily swing, window area, and thermal mass, are described in this paper.
Abstract This paper describes some ideas and strategies implemented by the author in the teaching... more Abstract This paper describes some ideas and strategies implemented by the author in the teaching of ecological design to beginning architecture students at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. All second year architecture students in our department are introduced to sustainable design in the spring of their second year. Lecture courses are integrated with the design studio portion of the course, in which students design a sustainable building and evaluate its performance using different analog and digital tools. ...
To increase the application of nocturnal ventilative cooling (night flushing) and daytime comfort... more To increase the application of nocturnal ventilative cooling (night flushing) and daytime comfort ventilation an intelligent control system has been designed that manages air flow according to cooling needs in a building and resources in the environment. This system is a microcomputer-controlled thermostat with both indoor and outdoor temperature sensors that can control a whole-house fan, in addition to the furnace and air conditioner. No such thermostat is currently available commercially. The rules for various control strategies have been programmed and tested using two slab floor test cells. It has proven effective in reducing both the maximum temperature and the number of overheated hours in the test cell, compared to the control cell. An "optimum" series was tested experimentally and modeled with the HEED computer program in different California climate zones demonstrating potential savings for ratepayers.
This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temperature of ... more This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temperature of buildings using test cells with different configurations. Three cells are used in these tests, all of them cooled with night ventilation, one with an insulated green roof, another with an uninsulated green roof and another with a conventional code compliant insulated roof.
American Solar Energy Society National Conference ( …, Jan 1, 2006
ABSTRACT This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temper... more ABSTRACT This paper describes the effects of green roofs and night ventilation on internal temperature of buildings using test cells with different configurations. Three cells are used in these tests, all of them cooled with night ventilation, one with an insulated green roof, ...
Abstract Heat flows (gains or losses) in a building are affected by solar radiation, internal gai... more Abstract Heat flows (gains or losses) in a building are affected by solar radiation, internal gains and temperature differences. A prototype of a tool that evaluates solar radiation on building envelopes has been developed as an applet to run on the Internet. This tool analyses the relationship of the solar position with the surfaces of complex envelopes by evaluating the potential amount of direct solar radiation that each surface section receives as a function of the angle of each surface with the sun for specific days and latitudes.
SUMMARY Between 40 to 50% of the CO2 in earth's atmosphere is produced during the construction an... more SUMMARY Between 40 to 50% of the CO2 in earth's atmosphere is produced during the construction and operation of buildings. The reduction of energy consumption in the building sector is usually addressed by installing energy efficient appliances, windows, lighting, air conditioners, and building a tighter, better insulated envelope. But architects can also accomplish much by using passive cooling or heating systems to manipulate energy to cool or heat a building naturally.
Summary Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed count... more Summary Most of the research in architectural sustainability has been centered on developed countries because these consume the most energy and have the most resources, but sustainable architecture is also important in less developed countries. As developed countries implement conservation measures and the population of less developed countries increases, these will approach or surpass the consumption levels of developed countries.
ABSTRACT The project" To Inhabit de Device" was awarded one of 25 prizes in the international com... more ABSTRACT The project" To Inhabit de Device" was awarded one of 25 prizes in the international competition" 25 Bioclimatical Houses for Tenerife" organized by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Canarias and sponsored by the International Union of Architects in 1995. The construction of the 25 prototypes has been rather slow and only now is our project nearing completion.
ABSTRACT The design of buildings is a complex process in which decisions are taken during the des... more ABSTRACT The design of buildings is a complex process in which decisions are taken during the design stage that critically affect the habitability and energy performance. In this sense, large window areas allow more daylight into a space, but they may also allow excessive heat gains or losses which increase the air-conditioning cooling or heating load, and the energy consumption.
ABSTRACT Climate change is caused by an increase in the concentration of green house gas emission... more ABSTRACT Climate change is caused by an increase in the concentration of green house gas emissions due to human activities and is the most pressing environmental challenge facing our civilization. Buildings are responsible for a large portion of the world's green house gas emissions and in the United States they are responsible for about half of all green house gas emissions of anthropogenic origin.
ABSTRACT A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a ... more ABSTRACT A prototype microcomputer-controlled thermostat that can operate different systems in a building according to comfort requirements and resources in the environment has been developed by the authors. This intelligent control system has been tested measuring indoor and outdoor temperature to operate a fan and/or blinds.
ABSTRACT: Green roofs have many benefits over conventional roofs, they reduce storm water runoff,... more ABSTRACT: Green roofs have many benefits over conventional roofs, they reduce storm water runoff, the heat island effect in cities, and energy requirements for cooling; all of this while sequestering some CO2 from the atmosphere. But because of their expense, the building industry has yet to fully embrace their large scale implementation.
ABSTRACT. A computer program, CODYBA, has been used to simulate thermal conditions inside a build... more ABSTRACT. A computer program, CODYBA, has been used to simulate thermal conditions inside a building in a tropical region with high values of temperature and humidity. Different combinations of mass, air changes, shading, and thermal insulation were studied to detect adequate combinations of materials and design strategies for this climate.
Resumen En el presente artículo se explican los criterios y el proyecto de las viviendas del conj... more Resumen En el presente artículo se explican los criterios y el proyecto de las viviendas del conjunto «Nueva Democracia», de 1000 unidades en 25 hectáreas, en el cual el gobierno regional, la comunidad y la universidad se unieron para resolver un problema habitacional. El proyecto, actualmente en construcción, promueve la organización de la comunidad en tres diferentes niveles o dominios proyectuales: el nivel global-urbano; el nivel intermedio-vecinal, y, el nivel lote-vivienda.
Abstract A test cell that simulates a closed building with shaded windows is used to analyse the ... more Abstract A test cell that simulates a closed building with shaded windows is used to analyse the effects of the heat gain on the performance of a radiant cooling system. The cell has a light metal doublesloped roof at the outside, which acts as a nocturnal radiator and below this roof are hinged, lightweight and operable, reflecting panels that are closed during the day and open at night.
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Papers by Pablo La Roche