Designs to mitigate the effect of wind on the microclimates of balconies and terraces

Overview

As our urban centres become denser and taller, the demand for balconies and terraces to provide outdoor amenity space has increased. There are many ways in which the wind can interact with balconies which must be considered during design to ensure that these spaces are safe, comfortable and usable.

In this presentation, we will look from an engineering practitioner perspective at the design of balconies and the ways in which different environmental effects can be considered, assessed and mitigated. We will also identify areas in which further research could fill some important gaps in our current knowledge and methods, which will be essential as the performance of these outdoor spaces becomes ever more integral to good, human-centric design.