The potential of using space syntax approach to predict the effect of building spatial configuration for summer thermal comfort

Space syntax is a well-known technique for the quantitative analysis of spatial relationships and social patterns in buildings and urban systems. On the other hand, in building thermal performance research field, adaptive comfort theory is based on the concept that thermal comfort is highly influenced by personal preference and contextual factors that are commonly found in naturally ventilated buildings. In this paper, the authors try to find the relationship between spatial configuration and summer thermal comfort and the potential to use space syntax approach to predict the effect of spatial configuration for thermal comfort. In detail, the relationship between spatial configuration, air movement and occupants’ activity were investigated. As a case study, a free-running house with diverse spaces, which lies in the hot and humid climate area, was analysed by space syntax approach. The results were compared with the measured wind velocity and CFD simulation. It is found that the spaces which have high “connectivity values” and “integration values” in space syntax analysis can provide more natural ventilation which is important to increase the thermal comfort sensation in hot and humid weather condition without using active cooling. Therefore, occupants prefer to move to these spaces. This result shows that there is a potential in applying the space syntax approach on the building spatial configuration in predicting the air movement and occupants’ movement. It is possible to improve building thermal performance in the architectural early design stages through spatial configuration.