Thermal comfort conditions in outdoor spaces

The present paper describes a process for designing and applying several techniques based on bioclimatic architecture criteria and energy conservation principles in order to improve the microclimate in an outdoor space located in the greater Athens area. The thermal comfort conditions were used as an indicator for the microclimatic improvements in the tested area. For that reason, the thermal comfort conditions in twelve different outdoor space points have been calculated using two different thermal comfort bioclimatic indices developed to be used for outdoor spaces. The used indices were the following: a. COMFA, which is based on estimating the energy budget of a person in an outdoor environment and b. Thermal Sensation TS, based on the satisfaction or dissatisfaction sensation under the prevailing climatic conditions of the outdoor spaces. Calculations were performed during the summer period and two different scenarios of the constructed space parameters have been considered. The first scenario consists of a conventionally constructed space while the second one includes various architectural improvements according to the bioclimatic design principles. Furthermore a comparison between the calculated results of the two bioclimatic indicators is presented in order to achieve a better understanding of the thermal comfort conditions in the above mentioned outdoor space locations as well as the effect of the bioclimatic design architectural improvements on the human thermal comfort sensation.