Ventilation elements

The most common characteristic elements of natural ventilation have architectural implications stretching from none to substantial. An embedded duct, most often used in low and medium rise buildings, has in itself no architectural implications, whereas wind scoops, wind towers and chimneys can have significant consequences for the silhouette of the building. Chimneys, most commonly utilised as ventilation extracts in low — and medium-rise buildings, seem to be most widespread in the UK. Double facades are most often used to facilitate natural ventilation in high-rise buildings by making it possible to open windows and use them as air path without severe draughts. The majority of naturally ventilated high-rise buildings are located in Germany, and a great deal of them is double fagade designs like GSW Headquarters, debisHaus, Commerzbank Headquarters, Deutsche post Headquarters, MDR Zentrale, ARAG Headquarters, Deutsche Messe AG, and many others.

Interior spaces

The interiors of buildings utilising natural ventilation are designed to promote a natural airflow with minimal pressure drops. This usually results in open plan layouts or layouts where rooms and functions are openly connected with each other. As the various rooms double as an air path, they are "links” in what could be referred to as the "air path chain”. Varying proportions and sizes of rooms depending on where in the air path chain the room is located is thus characteristic for the interiors of buildings utilising natural ventilation. An atrium or a tall lobby, as an example, form excellent stacks where exhaust air can rise and escape through the roof. Such spaces constitute, as an analogy, a combined "engine” and "plant room” as well as an exhaust air path. Such a plant room (an atrium or a tall lobby) is commonly the most exclusive space in the building, serving representation functions. The contrast to the plant room of a mechanical ventilation system housing fans and other air handling components, typically located in the basement or on the roof, is striking. The floor — to-ceiling height is typically generous to accommodate a buffer zone over the breathing zone for stale and warm air. The rather narrow plans seen in many naturally ventilated buildings facilitate generously daylit spaces and good views to the exterior. Exposure of materials such as concrete, stone and brick to provide thermal mass also characterises the interior surfaces of many buildings utilising natural ventilation.