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Lawson Wind Comfort Criteria 

Decoding the Lawson Pedestrian Wind Criteria

Developed by T.V. Lawson at Bristol University, UK, the Lawson Pedestrian Wind Criteria is a globally accepted standard for evaluating wind impacts on pedestrian safety and comfort. These criteria, rooted in extensive research, serve as the benchmark against which the wind microclimate around buildings is assessed.

Categorizing Wind Comfort

The Lawson Criteria seeks to classify different areas based on the activities pedestrians engage in and their expected tolerance to predicted wind conditions. It recognizes that pedestrians, depending on their activities, will feel comfortable being exposed to different wind strengths.

For instance, a runner might tolerate or even enjoy a moderate breeze to keep cool, while diners savoring a meal on a patio could find those same winds disruptive to their dining experience if their napkins must be held down but their glassware to remain on the table.

Read more:

Using Lawson Wind Comfort Criteria to Elevate Pedestrian Experience in Urban Spaces

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Developed by T.V. Lawson at Bristol University, UK, the Lawson Pedestrian Wind Criteria is a globally accepted standard for evaluating wind impacts on pedestrian safety and comfort. These criteria, rooted in extensive research, serve as the benchmark against which the wind microclimate around buildings is assessed.

The fundamental principle driving this assessment is the acknowledgment that wind conditions should align with the intended activities in a given area. This knowledge creates opportunities for urban designers to work with the environment to create spaces that can be enjoyed for longer periods of time.

Read:

Using Lawson Wind Comfort Criteria to Elevate Pedestrian Experience in Urban Spaces

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Developed by T.V. Lawson at Bristol University, UK, the Lawson Pedestrian Wind Criteria is a globally accepted standard for evaluating wind impacts on pedestrian safety and comfort. These criteria, rooted in extensive research, serve as the benchmark against which the wind microclimate around buildings is assessed.

The fundamental principle driving this assessment is the acknowledgment that wind conditions should align with the intended activities in a given area. This knowledge creates opportunities for urban designers to work with the environment to create spaces that can be enjoyed for longer periods of time.

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In this blog, we will delve into two prominent indexes that are widely used in thermal comfort analysis: UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index) and SPMV (Standardized Predicted Mean Vote). These indexes offer different approaches to quantifying and interpreting thermal comfort, each with its own advantages and limitations. Join us as we explore the key distinctions between UTCI and SPMV, uncovering which one is best suited for specific climates, cultural contexts, and desired levels of analysis.

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Understanding AI Wind Streamlines

I Streamlines deliver a brilliant, highly visual representation of how wind flows through 3D space. By clearly depicting the movement, relative speed, and unique patterns of wind flow around developments, AI Streamlines offer Orbital Stack software users even greater early design insights.

continue reading...

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Introducing 3D Wind Streamlines for AI: Revolutionize Early Design with Orbital Stack

Orbital Stack, along with the experts at RWDI and Neural Concept, is proud to announce its newest, game-changing feature: 3D Wind Streamlines for AI Simulations. This feature will bring an unprecedented level of insight to an already robust, rapid environmental analysis toolset.

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Here is what a side-by-side comparison of the project budget looks like with the unexpected mitigation measures versus using early design guidance: Source

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Pedestrian wind comfort analysis may involve one or more approaches. From fast-and-affordable AI-powered options suitable for early stage exploration, to computationally intensive fluid dynamic simulation of later designs, to atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind tunnel tests that are often necessary for final approval — all have the same general objective: helping architects understand the conditions that result from a range of effects that occur when wind encounters their proposed structures.

These are some of the most important wind effects in urban design. We’ll also explore a range of measures that architects and building designers can use to mitigate and manage them. First, let’s briefly review why understanding wind effects matters.

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Why is understanding wind effects so important?

Wind effects — at least as they relate to pedestrian comfort and safety (as opposed to a building’s structural integrity) — typically receive little attention in architecture and design courses.

Nevertheless, understanding wind effects is becoming increasingly important, both for receiving design approvals and for improving the efficiency of the design process.

Wind is a major contributor to the microclimate created by large structures. When wind ‘searches’ for a path around obstacles, the complex flows that result impact both comfort and safety.

For these reasons, ever-more cities and municipalities require Pedestrian Wind Analysis Guide before they approve site plans and building designs.

But beyond fulfilling a requirement, pedestrian-level wind analysis also helps architects and designers make cost-effective and thoughtful building designs.

For example:

Understanding wind effects allows designers to plan spaces that are suitable for outdoor amenities and that incorporate natural ventilation (e.g., to benefit from a cooling breeze on a hot summer day);

Alternatively, the same analysis can identify comfort and safety problems early in the design process, preventing expensive building re-designs when problems are only uncovered later.