A study on indoor thermal comfort in condominium housing schemes with special reference to Elapitiwela housing scheme Welisara, Ragama

Abstract

Indoor thermal comfort is a crucial consideration in building design, as it directly impacts the satisfaction and productivity of building occupants. Ensuring that residents can maintain a comfortable living environment within their budget is particularly important in the context of affordable housing. Energy costs, especially those related to cooling, constitute a significant expense for buildings in Sri Lanka. By employing passive methods to achieve optimal indoor thermal comfort, it is possible to reduce energy consumption and, consequently, the overall cost of housing. This research aims to analyse the indoor thermal comfort of condominium housing, with a specific reference to how thermal comfort is influenced by the factors such as orientation, apartment height, surrounding vegetation, and proximity to other buildings. Elapitiwela Housing Scheme in Welisara, Ragama was chosen as the focus of this study, based on its unique characteristics that make it an ideal case for investigating indoor thermal comfort in condominium housing. The scheme comprises ten identical condominium blocks, each featuring distinct orientations, including north-south, northeast-southwest, northwest-southeast, and others. This arrangement provides a diverse range of building orientations, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the impact of orientation on thermal comfort. Valuable insights can be gained through this study, into the dynamics of indoor thermal comfort and its potential implications for affordable housing design.