A coupled summer thermal comfort and indoor air quality model of urban high-rise housing

The synergistic effects between summertime ventilation behaviour, indoor temperature and air pollutant concentration in relation to energy retrofit and climate change have been under-investigated to date. This paper explores such interactions in a social housing setting. The case study flat is located on a mid-floor of a high-rise council tower block in central London. Dwellings of this type are likely to be occupied by vulnerable individuals (elderly people or people suffering from ill health or mobility impairment). Monitoring and modelling of the thermal and airflow performance of the case study suggests that its occupants may be already exposed to some degree of overheating. Whilst improved natural ventilation strategies may reduce such risks to a certain extent, their potential may be limited in the future due to high external temperatures and the undesired ingress of outdoor pollutants, thus highlighting the need for further adaptation measures.