You are as healthy as the air you breathe!
A healthy individual needs 1 kg of food, 2 kg of water, and 15 kg of air per day
Raising the air quality in schools will increase children's comprehension by 15 percent.
The Climatization in Architectural Design Conference held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at the Building Information Centre by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Manufacturers' Association (İSKİD) and organized by Yapı Medya İletişim was attended by industry professionals, academics, and students.
Mr. Gökhan Büyükarıkan, Chairman of the Central Air Conditioning Systems Commission of İSKİD, took the floor at the event, and declared the necessity of raising air quality at schools, and stated that this would lead to a 14-15 percent increase in children's comprehension. Büyükarıkan went on saying that:
"Comfort is very important in indoor air quality. A healthy individual needs 1 kg of food, 2 kg of water, and 15 kg of air a day. Since people spend 90 percent of their lives indoors, the significance of air conditioning increases. According to studies we have conducted at schools, there are differences of 15 percent in children's comprehension depending on indoor air quality of the classroom alone. These systems can be sustained if we all join forces."
Mr. Taner Yönet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of İSKİD who was keynote speaker for the event, stressed the necessity of leaving adequate space for air conditioning systems in the design of buildings, and the need for good planning to achieve this. Taner Yönet said the following:
"The air conditioning industry aims to provide conditions of comfort for environments in which people live. To ensure the right air conditioning, our architects need to work with the right engineers. Meticulously designed buildings can only function correctly through collaboration. Good planning is essential in leaving adequate space for air conditioning systems in buildings. Architecture is an art form, and this art should be supported with science to be performed well. Societies that are strong in science and art have always been open to progress."
Filtration: a solution for air pollution
During his speech at the panel titled "Air Conditioning for Buildings that Breathe" held within the framework of the Climatization in Architectural Design Conference, Mr. İlker Devrim Atalay, Founder of Rota Mühendislik called attention to three issues: "Values of temperatures of interior surfaces, the rate of indoor humidity, and the percentage of fresh air in indoor spaces have been stipulated by international standards. 1- The first matter which we should consider is surface temperature. We need to develop a reflex on the cold effect. Surfaces should not be exceedingly warm or exceedingly cold while insulating. A building that is not fully insulated, or one that has been fitted with the incorrect quality of windows will lead to discomfort. 2- The second matter is the rate of humidity. Too much humidity also makes us ill. Some summer spaces are not used during the winter. When these are out of use for long periods, mold, and dampness occur. This indicates that the temperature has fallen below a certain point. Even rarely used storage spaces should be heated. 3- The third matter is fresh air. We have lost our sources of fresh air. The outdoor air we let inside contains construction residues and exhausts. Care should be taken about filtration. Carpets and textile products can pollute the space three times more than is normal. Natural or mechanical ventilation is no longer a luxury."
Sick building syndrome targets people
Mr. Önder Kul, Founding Partner of mimaristudio, who began his words by reminding us that we spend 90 of our time in indoor spaces, went on to say, "The quality of indoor air has very significant effects on human health, comfort, and wellbeing. According to studies, poor indoor quality reduces productivity by 10 percent. Working space influences performance by 90 percent. A study conducted in 2012 indicates nearly seven million people have died of air pollution. Humidity, mold, fungus, and mites also have effect. Matters like water installations and insulation are also involved. These are further compounded by various health problems. We call this 'Sick Building Syndrome.' Upper respiratory infections, eye and skin diseases, even cardiovascular diseases and psychological problems are involved. All the projects hitherto used and developed have been taken into consideration in terms of green buildings and sustainable buildings. Now, new approaches have emerged which give center stage to the occupant, which consider not only energy efficiency, but user experience. Well certification is now developing people-oriented guidelines and terms."
"We need to naturalize the environment once again"
Taking the floor after Önder Kul, Ms. Burcu Şenparlak, General Manager of SwankeHaydenConnell Architecture stated, Environmental problems that are a result of increasing population which is particularly a problem for our major cities, as well as developing industry and advances in technology, and the rapid depletion of natural resources have been discussed at various platforms for a long time. Now, it is our turn. As city planners, architects, engineers, investors, and occupants, we should join forces to once again "naturalize" this built environment which we have "modernized". The whole world is taking big and lasting steps toward this end through many ventures and movements such as green buildings, and a sustainable environment. I, for my part, would like to once again emphasize the gains that can be achieved from an integrated collaboration among all players, from the start of the design process. We can model our work on design examples which will not lead to 'Sick Building Syndrome' on the theory of which we all agree, which focus on keeping user comfort to a maximum level, and which involve energy recovery."
Understanding the natural environment is very important
Mr. Burak Ünder, Founder of Ünder Mimarlık reminded the audience that the world's population will be 8.5 billion in 2030, and 10 billion in 2050, and said, "For the first time in history, over half the world's population began to live in cities in 2010. Resources may fall short within 20-30 years. Agricultural areas are becoming scarce. Which leads us to the question of what to do," and went on," We can say particularly of countries similar to ours that urbanization is viewed to consist merely of building concrete structures haphazardly, and without considering master plans; and that the areas among buildings, as well as people, communities, sociological, ethnic factors, and nature are unfortunately given a back seat. This degradation brings about a re-questioning of serious climate issues and of the conditions of comfort. We have arrived at a point where we are forced to reconsider such matters as air pollution, and formation of heat islands in particular. Understanding the natural environment is very important While London has 27 square meters of green areas per person, Istanbul has 3.3. The ratio of public green areas to the total area of the city is 33, while this figure is a mere 6 in Istanbul. I see fit to once again emphasize the importance of the principle of sustainability that is inherent in architecture and design and of its relationship with the natural environment."
Raising awareness is essential
Mr. Burak Rıza Toraman, Technical Director of Rönesans Gayrımenkul mentioned the importance of integrated work as a team, emphasized the need to begin education from primary school, and added: "We are polluting the environment. Reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption is a matter of conscience. We are caught in a bad cycle and it is up to people to break this cycle. As architects, engineers, and investors, we should coordinate much better."
"We ask a lot of questions"
In her speech where she mentioned the importance of specialization, Ms. Anda Manu, founder of the AMA Design architecture office in Bucharest began her words by saying, "If you specialize in one area, the chances of success increase. We specialize in office spaces. We do nothing else. Therefore we now have a specific place in the market." Manu stated that they carry out many tests when a client comes to them for a project said, "We ask questions whose answers may offer us a framework for design such as How much time do people spend in this work are? How many people work inside during a day? It is very important to heed everyone's needs and requests, and to find the right solutions. One of our major discussions with project managers is about points of possible savings. We proceed in collaboration with architects and engineers."
