Dynamic External Shading for Enhanced Visual and Thermal Comfort In Schools PhD 36 months PHD Programme By Loughborough University |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 51-100QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

36 monthsProgramme duration

Application Deadline

02 Feb, 2025Application Deadline

Main Subject Area

Architecture and Built EnvironmentMain Subject Area

Programme overview

Main Subject

Architecture and Built Environment

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Dynamic External Shading for Enhanced Visual and Thermal Comfort In Schools PhD


School buildings must be adapted to provide an indoor environment conducive to learning for children in a warming climate. External shading is a cost-effective solution that can improve thermal comfort in buildings, but may reduce daylighting for children to study by or increase wintertime heating demand. Dynamic external shading systems could solve this problem by responding to variables such as indoor/outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed to extend or retract the shading system.


The aim of this PhD is to create a dynamic external shading device control algorithm which provides optimum visual and thermal comfort, thereby improving schoolchildren’s cognitive performance and health outcomes. Three objectives will be used to achieve the aim: (1) Under a variety of different control strategies and shading types, evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic external shading systems on schoolchildren’s cognitive performance and thermal comfort; (2) measure indoor temperature, humidity, and daylighting and refine the dynamic shading control strategies; (3) interview school staff (teachers) to determine their experience with shading devices, preferred level of interaction (i.e., do they prefer automatic or manual control?).


This project builds on an existing partnership with the BBSA who currently co-fund two ERBE CDT PhD students (both supervised by Ben Roberts). The industrial partner will provide the motorised shading systems to test on school buildings. Outputs include new design guidelines for the implementation of dynamic shading systems in schools and optimised dynamic shading control strategies to account for visual and thermal comfort.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Architecture and Built Environment

Degree

PhD

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

On Campus

Dynamic External Shading for Enhanced Visual and Thermal Comfort In Schools PhD


School buildings must be adapted to provide an indoor environment conducive to learning for children in a warming climate. External shading is a cost-effective solution that can improve thermal comfort in buildings, but may reduce daylighting for children to study by or increase wintertime heating demand. Dynamic external shading systems could solve this problem by responding to variables such as indoor/outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed to extend or retract the shading system.


The aim of this PhD is to create a dynamic external shading device control algorithm which provides optimum visual and thermal comfort, thereby improving schoolchildren’s cognitive performance and health outcomes. Three objectives will be used to achieve the aim: (1) Under a variety of different control strategies and shading types, evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic external shading systems on schoolchildren’s cognitive performance and thermal comfort; (2) measure indoor temperature, humidity, and daylighting and refine the dynamic shading control strategies; (3) interview school staff (teachers) to determine their experience with shading devices, preferred level of interaction (i.e., do they prefer automatic or manual control?).


This project builds on an existing partnership with the BBSA who currently co-fund two ERBE CDT PhD students (both supervised by Ben Roberts). The industrial partner will provide the motorised shading systems to test on school buildings. Outputs include new design guidelines for the implementation of dynamic shading systems in schools and optimised dynamic shading control strategies to account for visual and thermal comfort.

Admission Requirements

3.2+
6.5+
92+
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience is desirable.

02 Feb 2025
3 Years
Oct

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