In architectural design, the stack effect refers
to passive air movement throughout a building due to variances in vertical
pressure initiated by thermal buoyancy. If the air within a building grows
warmer than the temperature of the surrounding outdoor air, the warmer and
lower-density air will rise. Stack effect ventilation makes use of this
activity by forming openings in a building’s structural envelope that are
sufficiently lofty to permit the warm air to escape.
At the building top, negative pressure attracts denser, colder exterior air
through low-level openings in the structure. Although the effect of this
process is relatively weak, it can be concentrated when a stack is implemented.
An increase in airflow can be accomplished with use of longer stacks.
Controlled stack ventilation can permit passive cooling in hot summer weather
while offering low maintenance and cost-efficiency due to low operating
expenses, very low energy costs (or none at all) and low construction expenses
for new buildings.
Pros and Cons of Stack Effect
Ventilation in Architectural Design
There are primary advantages and disadvantages of stack effect ventilation in
the architectural design of buildings, including the following pros and cons:
Pros
• Lower Operating and Maintenance Costs.
– Stack effect ventilation enables building ventilation and cooling
at lesser operating and maintenance costs than mechanical systems can achieve.
Stack effect ventilation also offers low noise levels during operation.
• No Added Energy Costs. – Passive
systems need no additional energy input. Stacks that are augmented by active
flow regulation require lower energy levels than comparable mechanical
systems.
• Lower Energy for Building Cooling. – Stack effect ventilation lowers building cooling energy requirements. It may be
used in combination with passive cross-ventilation for optimal ventilating
effects.
Cons
• Occurrence of Over-ventilation and
Under-ventilation. – Stack effect ventilation in buildings can result in
over-ventilation or under-ventilation due to its dependency on natural forces.
Excellent design and airflow regulation are essential for sustaining acceptable
rates of ventilation.
• Ventilation Inadequacies on Upper
Floors. – Unacceptable rates of ventilation and airflow on the upper floors
of tall, large buildings may occur with stack effect ventilation. Trapped,
stale air may lower air quality, and the addition of operating windows may be
needed to ensure adequate ventilation.
• Over-ventilation During Winter. – During cold winter weather, greater differences in a building’s internal and
external temperatures may cause the loss of valuable heat due to
over-ventilation caused by inadequate airflow regulation.
By consulting the expert architectural designers, master planners, engineers
and interior designers of Marchese Partners, you will receive top-tier
information and advice concerning the use of stack effect ventilation in
architectural design. Marchese Partners, with offices in Australia, New
Zealand, Asia and the UK, has produced exemplary, highly honored and awarded
projects in many international locations. Our comprehensive, state-of-the-art
architectural design and building services are achieved with an integrated
approach involving high levels of professional expertise to complete your
building project with finest degrees of excellence.