By Niyas in glossary —

Architectural Area (of a Building)

As HVAC professionals, understanding the architectural area of a building is crucial for effectively designing and implementing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The architectural area is essentially the sum of the areas of all floors within a building, including basements, mezzanines, intermediate floored tiers, and penthouses with headroom height. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what constitutes the architectural area and its importance in HVAC planning.

Definition and Calculation

The architectural area is measured from the exterior faces of the building’s walls or from the centerline of the walls that separate different buildings. It’s important to note that precision in this calculation can significantly affect the design and efficiency of HVAC systems.

Factors to Consider

When calculating the architectural area, discretion is advised regarding interstitial spaces. Features such as covered walkways and open roofed-over areas that are paved should have their architectural area multiplied by an area factor of 0.50. This ensures that the HVAC system accounts for effective ventilation and air distribution without overestimating the usable area.

Exclusions from Architectural Area

It’s also important to know which areas should not be included in the architectural area calculation. These include:

  • Pipe trenches
  • Exterior terraces
  • Steps
  • Chimneys
  • Roof overhangs

Excluding these elements helps in accurately determining the area that will require HVAC services, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

In summary, the architectural area of a building is a fundamental aspect that HVAC professionals need to grasp fully. Understanding its definition, calculation methods, relevant factors, and exclusions ensures that systems are designed effectively to meet the unique needs of each space. By mastering these concepts, HVAC professionals can improve system performance, enhance energy efficiency, and ultimately create a more comfortable environment for occupants.