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Image Credit - Assael Architecture
New Malden High Street, Kingston Upon Thames

An exciting development in Kingston Upon Thames, New Malden High Street is a nine-storey mixed-use building comprising of 49 residential units and ground floor commercial space.

SRE completed Microclimate – Pedestrian Wind Comfort Analysis for the proposed space to ascertain the impact on pedestrian comfort with respect to wind velocity. A transient Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) wind study was performed analysing wind directions for different seasons throughout the year to provide a thorough comparison against the Lawson Comfort Criteria. Mitigation measures such as soft landscaping and localised solid panels were recommended to improve wind conditions.

Read more about New Malden High Street

The Microclimate Analysis supported the planning application for the proposed development at New Malden High Street – a redevelopment of the former Tudor Williams Department Store. The analysis studied the wind microclimate around New Malden High Street and was modelled using state-of-the-art 3D simulation software. The models were created based on information, drawings and site survey data of both the proposed development and the existing surrounding buildings.

SRE’s building physics specialists assessed 12 wind directions to provide a robust study of the microclimate conditions generated by the proposed development. Two scenarios were assessed:

  1. The existing site with existing surrounding buildings
  2. The proposed development with existing surrounding buildings

Both scenarios were analysed against normalised hourly weather data during winter and summer seasons to provide a thorough comparison against the LCC – the UK’s industry standard tool to determine which wind speeds are suitable for different pedestrian activities.

In both scenarios, the results indicated the wind conditions at ground level were suitable for all activities such as pedestrian walking, sitting and cycling. However, when modelled, it became apparent that the wind conditions in localised spaces, such as the roof terraces and balconies, would require mitigation measures if they were to meet the LCC requirements. SRE worked with the client and recommended a number of solutions including shrubs, small trees in planters and localised solid panels to ensure comfort for the users of these spaces. Although summer winds are likely to be considerably lower in speed than those during windier and colder times of the year, seasonal variation must be considered as pedestrians are more likely to frequent outdoor seating areas during warmer months.

SRE’s dataset was based on historic weather data calculated using hourly averages from a nearby weather station. This enabled SRE to calculate a suitable approximation of the prevailing wind conditions, the frequency and average wind speed in each direction.

Client:

WSP

Main Contractor:

tbc

Architect:

Assael Architecture

Testimonial:

‘I have worked with the SRE team for over 12 years. They are consistently a safe pair of hands in respect to identifying and managing environmental risk on projects and keeping to timetables and fees, so for every job they give me at least three less problems to worry about.’
Greg Dowden, Director, WSP