Design of single-family houses to create wind-protective environments

Introduction – The design of buildings is about aesthetics and atmosphere but, theArchitectural Engineer program has clarified that architectural design is more than justappearance and the emotions it evokes.It also involves elements such as wind, which this thesis will address. The design ofbuildings affects wind flows, which in turn influence comfort levels, energy use, andventilation, for example. By integrating wind studies early in the planning process, windeffects can be thoroughly evaluated, creating favourable conditions for improving boththe sustainability of buildings and human well-being.This report examines the impact of wind on comfort levels in single-family homes,specifically how orientation and placement alter the outcome. Additionally, itinvestigates how various improvement proposals affect these comfort levels. The studyis conducted in collaboration with Willa Nordic AB, which has contributed two typesof single-family homes and their respective plots.Method – The study employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.Wind flow simulations constitute the quantitative part, while a document study providesthe qualitative part, offering theoretical support and an interpretive framework. Theresearch strategy is based on a case study approach, as it is suitable for explorativeresearch where questions of how and why are central. To collect empirical data,measurements from simulations are used alongside the document study to verify andinterpret the results. The empirical data from the simulations are considered primarydata, while the data from the document study are considered secondary data.Results – Based on the wind simulations, differences between orientations could beidentified from the comfort level tables. Similarly, the proposed improvements showedvarying degrees of enhancement in comfort, as seen in the tables.Analysis – The orientation of the buildings was found to influence wind comfort inoutdoor environments. Often, the most favourable orientation for wind comfort cameat the cost of reduced views. The simulations showed that the prevailing wind directionaffects which solutions are most effective. Diverse types of solutions offer varyinglevels of improvement, depending on the overall building design.Discussion – The study demonstrates that wind analysis should be integrated early inthe design phase of single-family homes to create sustainable and comfortable outdoorenvironments. In general, wind comfort benefits from positioning the short side of thebuilding toward the prevailing wind direction. Opportunities for improving the resultsinclude modifying the study conditions—for example, using one house type on multipleplots or, conversely, multiple house types on the same plot. The method also hassignificant potential for refinement, such as using alternative simulation software toincrease credibility.