NatVent (TM): its aims and vision.

This paper gives an overview of the EC NatVent (TM) project on 'Overcoming Technical Barriers to Low Energy Natural Ventilation in Office Type Buildings in Moderate and Cold Climates' which has been carried out under the European Commission Joule Programme 1994-98. The project was targeted at countries with low winter and moderate summer temperatures where summer overheating from solar and internal gain can be significantly reduced by low-energy design and good natural ventilation. In addition, the project addressed natural ventilation solutions to buildings located in urban areas where external air pollution and noise levels are usually regarded as being high. In this paper, the background to the project together with the objectives have been outlined and a brief account of the various research areas studied, solutions provided and products resulting from each area have been given.