Louvered door research and development for user needs and energy efficiency in Thailand's context

Abstract

This research and development project aims to investigate and propose practical louvered door solutions in terms of energy saving, human dimension (physical, psychology, social and cultural human factors), as well as feasibility regarding production and engineering. One project achievement comes from an interdisciplinary collaboration among specialists in indoor air quality and energy management, user-centred design, as well as product design and engineering. To achieve energy efficiency where practicality could be reached, the research results have led to design criteria in three aspects including architecture and indoor environment (energy efficiency, thermal comfort and indoor air quality), human dimension (convenience in operation and maintenance, styling preferences, privacy and security), as well as production and engineering (feasibility in production and installation, durability and ease of repair). Four design directions were generated and produced. Prototypes for each design direction were tested for four main aspects including energy-efficiency performance in a laboratory via the blower door technique (area leakage, pressure and air flow volume), usability by scenario testing with follow-up interview, styling preferences through visual tool kit with follow-up interview, and production and engineering feasibility by expert testing and interview. In assessing all the aspects, and based on conclusions drawn from evaluation, the most promising design direction does not correspond with the highest energy-efficiency performance; rather, it is the direction that best compromises between energy efficiency and human dimension. Apparently, to achieve the design of energy-efficient architecture, solutions should not be concerned solely with technical and scientific aspects, but must accept a need to integrate additional human dimensions that influence energy efficiency for both practicality and acceptability purposes.