PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project Title: Passive Building Performance Modeling - Residential Building, Kano Nigeria
Building Type: Multi-story residential building (Ground + First Floor)
Location: Kano, Nigeria (Hot-dry climate, Köppen BWh)
Floor Height: 4m each floor
Total Building Height: 10m (including stairwell to roof)
CLIMATE CONTEXT
- Peak Summer Temperatures: 40-45°C (March-May)
- Harmattan Season: 15-35°C (November-February)
- Diurnal Temperature Variation: 15-20°C
- Prevailing Winds: Northeast (harmattan), Southwest (monsoon)
- Major Challenge: Extreme heat.
CURRENT DESIGN FEATURES TO MODEL (Drawing Available)
Building Envelope:
- Walls: Hollow Concrete Blocks brick (225mm) + 80mm exterior EPS insulation
- Roof: Concrete deck + 80mm EPS + white reflective paint + solar PV panels (15-20cm air gap)
- Windows: Large openings 3.8m × 1.5m with external shutters
- Orientation: Longest walls face East-West (unavoidable constraint)
Ventilation Strategy:
- Cross Ventilation: Large windows on opposite walls, each floor (nighttime operation)
- Stack Effect: Central stairwell acting as thermal chimney (10m height, daytime operation)
- Night Flush Cooling: Windows open at night, closed during day
- Room-to-Stair Connection: 0.974m × 0.45m openings above doors
- Additional Stair Vents: Proposed 2.4m × 0.3m openings per floor
- Roof Exhaust: 0.75m × 2.1m door opening
ANALYSIS & DELIVERABLES REQUIRED
Configuration = size and/or location
Cross Ventilation Optimization
Analysis: Test current 3.8m × 1.5m windows vs. alternative configurations for maximum nighttime cooling airflow
Deliverables:
- Optimization scenarios: Visual comparison of current vs. improved configurations
- Recommendation: Optimal window configuration
- Airflow improvement potential: Quantified performance gains from recommended changes
Stack Effect Optimization
Analysis: Optimize stairwell height & opening configuration for maximum natural ventilation
Deliverables:
- Opening decision analysis: Current design vs. with additional internal stairwell opening (2.4m × 0.3m)
- Size optimization: Recommendations for stairwell exhaust configuration (0.75m × 2.1m)
- Configuration comparisons: Visual airflow analysis showing performance of different configurations
- ACH improvement potential: Quantified ventilation gains from optimized design
CRITICAL FILE FORMAT REQUIREMENTS, MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL MODEL FILES:
- DesignBuilder files (.dsb) - PREFERRED
- IES VE files (.ive) - ACCEPTABLE
- EnergyPlus files (.idf) - ACCEPTABLE
- NOT ACCEPTABLE: PDF reports only
Reason: Client will conduct additional validation & optimization.
FILES TO BE PROVIDED
✅ Architectural Plans: Floor plans, sections, elevations (AutoCAD/PDF)
✅ Kano EPW Climate File: Verified weather data
✅ Current Design Report: Detailed passive design strategy document
✅ Material Specifications: Thermal properties of materials used
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Required: DesignBuilder (preferred), IES VE, or EnergyPlus with visualization tools
Must Include: 3D visualization, natural ventilation modeling, CFD capabilities
SUCCESS METRICS
- Optimization Focus: Clear before/after performance comparisons
- Actionable Recommendations: Specific dimensional and configuration changes
- Visual Documentation: 3D airflow patterns and comparative scenarios
- Quantified Improvements: Measurable performance gains from optimizations
BUDGET & TIMELINE
Budget Range: Negotiable
Timeline: 14 - 28 days preferred
Project Start: Immediate upon selection
Revisions: 3 rounds of revisions included
Communication: Available for clarification calls/video meetings if needed, Regular updates preferred, English communication
Contact Information: To be provided
SUCCESS METRICS
- Optimization Focus: Clear before/after performance comparisons
- Actionable Recommendations: Specific dimensional and configuration changes
- Visual Documentation: 3D airflow patterns and comparative scenarios
- Quantified Improvements: Measurable performance gains from optimizations
MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS
Must Have:
- Portfolio showing 3D building simulation optimizations
- Experience with natural ventilation optimization
- Hot climate building design understanding
- Proficiency in DesignBuilder, IES VE, or advanced EnergyPlus
- Previous work examples with comparative scenario analysis
Evaluation Questions:
- Which simulation software will you use?
- Can you provide 3D visualizations comparing different configurations?
- Will you deliver original model files for client review?
- Do you have portfolio examples of ventilation optimization work?
- Can you quantify performance improvements from design changes?
PROJECT OUTCOME
Client will use delivered analysis to make final design decisions on:
- Window configuration optimization
- Stairwell opening configuration decisions
- Performance validation before construction
This is a real construction project requiring actionable optimization recommendations with visual validation capabilities.
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