Thermal performance of atria: An overview of natural ventilation effective designs

Despite significant impacts of natural ventilation on atria, indoor thermal conditions and decreasing energy usage load, there is lack of knowledge about how various design parameters influence atria thermal conditions. The complexity of natural ventilation design of atria and inadequate simulation design tools may lead to inaccurate atria thermal prediction. In the past 25 years, researchers have developed and suggested various methods such as experimental, theoretical and numerical modeling to identify thermal and ventilation performances of atria. However, the diversity of the modeling conditions makes it difficult to achieve proper conclusions which link all contributing parameters to atrium thermal conditions. This paper provides a comprehensive review of previous studies on the role of natural ventilation in atrium buildings in different climates, efficient design parameters and their application to improvement of thermal performance and decrease of energy consumption. These parameters include various atrium configurations and components such as atrium geometry, opening characteristics, roof properties, materials and fenestration characteristics. The review further highlights different ventilation techniques which can be applied in atria as assisted ventilation methods. The cited parameters can be categorized into those affecting thermal performance and ventilation performance. The outlet opening size is the most influential parameter that affects both indoor thermal condition and ventilation behaviors of atria and consequently decreases energy usage load.