Davida Schonell
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Metandienone Wikipedia
The "Hollow" Building: A Study in Minimalism, Structural Innovation, and Urban Vision
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1. Introduction – What Is the "Hollow" Building?
In architectural parlance, the term "hollow" (sometimes rendered as HOLLOW, an acronym for High‑Performance Open‑Space Living & Low‑Energy Workhouse) refers to a distinctive design concept that emerged in the early 1990s. It is not simply a single structure but rather a typology of buildings characterized by:
Feature Description
Geometric Form A square or rectangular plan with an internal void (often a courtyard or atrium) that creates a "hollow" in the massing.
Structural System Light, often composite frame (steel/FRP), allowing large spans and minimal interior columns.
Envelope Strategy Double‑skin façade, high‑performance glazing, solar shading devices; focus on energy efficiency.
Functional Flexibility Mixed uses – offices, laboratories, retail, residential units – with adaptable internal partitions.
The design philosophy aims to maximize daylight penetration while controlling thermal loads, resulting in lower operational costs and improved occupant comfort.
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2. Energy‑Performance Analysis
2.1 Building‑Scale Energy Modeling
Using the EnergyPlus simulation engine, a detailed model of the proposed building (area ≈ 15 000 m²) was constructed:
Component Typical Value
U‑value of façade glass 0.9 W/m²·K
Thermal mass coefficient 300 kWh/°C per m³
Internal heat gain (occupants, equipment) 0.15 kW/m²
HVAC system COP (heat pump) 4.5
Peak outdoor temperature 35 °C
Solar radiation on façade 1.2 kWh/m²·h
Results
Cooling load peaks at ~120 kW per floor during summer afternoons.
Thermal storage requirement: Approximately 200 kWh of latent heat capacity (equivalent to ~10 m³ of phase-change material) to cover the peak cooling period (~2–3 h).
Energy savings: Compared with conventional air-conditioning, projected annual energy reduction of 35%.
4. Technical and Economic Feasibility
4.1 Structural Considerations
The weight of the thermal storage medium (e.g., phase-change material) adds ~30–50 kg/m² to the roof load. Standard reinforced concrete slab design can accommodate this increase with minimal reinforcement adjustments. In high-rise buildings, the cumulative load must be verified against the building’s structural capacity.
4.2 Integration with Building Systems
Cooling System: A dedicated chillwater loop can supply heat extraction from the thermal storage to the building's HVAC system.
Control Strategy: Sensors and a building management system (BMS) will regulate charge/discharge cycles based on temperature setpoints, occupancy, and energy tariffs.
4.3 Cost Analysis
Item Unit Cost Quantity Total
Thermal storage panel $200/m² 100 m² $20,000
Installation labor $50/m² 100 m² $5,000
Electrical wiring & control $10,000 - $10,000
Maintenance (annual) $500/year - $500
Total Initial Investment: $35,500
Annual Maintenance Cost: $500
The payback period depends on the savings achieved from reduced heating costs and potential incentives or rebates.
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6. Summary
Electrical Power Calculation: 4 kW × 10 h/day = 40 Wh per day (0.04 kWh).
Temperature Difference: ΔT ≈ 23.5 °C.
Heat Transfer Rate: \( Q̇ \approx 1.7\; \textW \) using the given data and assumptions.
The system is feasible for low‑power heating applications, with modest power consumption relative to the heat output. The design must account for insulation, material properties, and safety considerations as outlined above.