Of
the
thesis
entitled: City
of Wind:
Exposing
the
Invisible
Abstract:
Strong
winds
have
breached
the
city
walls.
A set
of
iron
chairs
launch
toward
a
couple
passing
an
outdoor
patio.
Bags
of groceries
fling
from
unsuspecting
hands
and
scatter
across
the
sidewalk.
A group
of
cyclists
swerve
onto
a
busy road
as
they
pass
a
newly
constructed tower.
Pedestrians
are
frequently
experiencing disruptive
wind-related
events
as
a
result
of
the
increase
in
tall
building construction
and
its
unavoidable
interactions
with
wind.
The
same
enclosures that
provide
controlled
environments
are unintentionally
encouraging
winds
that challenge
pedestrian
safety
and
comfort.
With
only
a
few
visual
guidelines
and tools
accessible
to
them,
designers
are
not
only
limited
in
their
ability
to understand
architectural
aerodynamics
but also
lack
by
the
knowledge
to properly
make
use
of
available
modes
of
software
and
testing.
While
other elements
of
design,
such
as
daylighting,
can
be
verified
through
sight,
the invisibility
of
wind
makes
deciphering
its
effects
a difficult
and
perpetual task.
This
thesis
offers
insight
on
how
and
where to
look
for
wind
—
not
to “see” in
the
traditional
sense,
but
to
look beneath
the
surface
of
things. An
exploration
of
architectural aerodynamics
is
visually
represented
and
organized
in
three interrelated
parts: Drawing
the
Wind (a
historical overview
of
humanity’s
relationship
with
wind), Laws
of
Motion (a
documentation
of
architectural
aerodynamic principles,
effects
and
methods
of
simulation),
and
Parameters
of Prediction (a
visual
exploration
of
the
link between
building
and
wind
sited
in
Toronto,
Ontario).
Each
part
is
a
visual exploration
in,
and
reflection
of,
environmental
awareness.
By
using
visualization
methods
to
improve
the communication
between
designers
and
wind
specialists,
this
document
promotes
a design
practice
that
enables
a
productive
consideration
of
wind
in
the
city. Ultimately,
designers
must
be aware
of
basic
aerodynamic
principles
and
the corresponding
effects
to
not
only
provide
optimal
interior
environments
within buildings,
but
also
in
between
them.
Co-Supervisors:
Committee Member:
Dereck Revington, University of Waterloo
Elizabeth English, University of Waterloo
Donald
McKay,
University of
Waterloo
External Reader:
Jonathan Tyrrell
The
committee
has
been
approved
as
authorized
by
the
Graduate
Studies
Committee.
The
Defence
Examination
will
take
place:
Thursday
July
28,
2016
2:00PM
BRIDGE
Centre
for
Architecture
+
Design
A
copy
of
the
thesis
is
available
for
perusal
in
ARC
2106A.