CIBSE | BOOK REVIEW AN OPEN BOOK Brian Fords The Architecture of Natural Cooling gives guidance on implementing a collaborative approach to design, and explains the creative application of building physics. London South Bank Universitys Andy Ford reviews the contents I ts funny, but whatever I do, there is always a bit of prejudice in my head that needs adjusting before I can see things. That was certainly the case as I began reading this book. I have known the main author, Brian Ford, emeritus professor of architecture at the University of Nottingham, for many years and, indeed, worked with him on occasion. So I am aware of his rigorous architectural approach to natural ventilation and consummate dislike of fans and ductwork, and was wondering how his book would go down in a building services journal. As I read, however, it grew on me. This might be fairly described as an important book for both architects and engineers. Specifically, it addresses those wishing to learn how to approach low energy and low carbon building design in a hot world creatively. The title does not cover fully what is at the heart of the book, and why it has importance. Although it is about an approach to cooling, it is more than that. With a foreword by Professor Dean Hawkes, The Architecture of Natural Cooling steps through the design process, from empty Key is the identification of the simple formulae and climate mapping that enable robust early strategic decisions to be made sheet to the analysis in the case studies. These inspire and warn with their problems encountered and opportunities for improvement sections. This is an exemplar of clarity, explaining how environmental engineers and architects can extract exciting architecture from the engineering of comfort and how to do it with a lightness of touch. Throughout, there are little blue boxes highlighting key points. If building services and architectural students only read, absorb and implement these, I would be happy. This discusses different climates where cooling might be needed. The authors explain how to approach a design process that begins before a building form exists to deliver an architecture that is comfortable in hot conditions. Particularly key is the identification of simple formulae and climate mapping that enable robust early strategic decisions to be made. It is at this very early stage that engineers appear to struggle most to input creatively to design team meetings but this is also where the most impact can be made with fewest words. If clear, simple, quantitative advice can be well delivered by the engineer, it will help tune an architects design intuition. Then, a joint project ambition can be formed that is strong and thoroughly understood by all parties to be carried through the construction of a completed building. But what is natural cooling, and is it relevant to the built environment today? As the authors explain, it is the exploitation of natural heat sinks, which include external air, the night sky, the ground and the evaporation of water. This certainly has wide relevance. There are opportunities to understand these concepts and engineer them at scale. 3803,1*6(/(&7,216)25 38%/,&+($/7+(1*,1((56 6SHFLDOLVWLQZDVWHZDWHUDQGVHZDJHSXPSLQJ 5DSLGUHVSRQVHSXPSDGYLFHVHOHFWLRQVGDWDVKHHWV %HVWWHFKQLFDODQGFRPPHUFLDOSXPSVROXWLRQV ROXWLR &DOORXUH[SHULHQFHGWHDPWRVSHFLI\\RXUSXPSLQJVROXWLRQ )ORRU0RXQWHG/LIWLQJ6WDWLRQV 32:(5( %< ZZZSXPSWHFKQRORJ\FRXN N