Climate Analysis - Boston, Ma

Boston, Ma.
Longitude: -71.o7
Latitude: 42.35
Elevation: 6.0

Sunpath & Sun Chart Diagram:

Sunpath diagrams represent the typical range/path of the sun during the year and more specifically are used to determine the length of days as measured in the amount of light. The sun path diagram here indicates that the 'dog days of summer' provide for longer days where there will potentially be more outside activities, whereas in the winter, the shorter days often provide for time inside. Not surprisingly, the Sun Chart supports the idea that there is a much larger need for sun in the winter months as well as need for sun in summer months. Shading is quite easily achievable through out the year. The overwhelming theme from these two diagrams is the lack of quality sun for heating purposes and the endless opportunities for shadow; both play a role in defining spaces both interior and exterior.

Wind Rose Wheel:

The wind 'Rose' wheel contains the most interesting and valuable information when considering location of entrances/exists, material exposure to the elements and overall sun exposure. This wheel indicates that for the best wind protection that the main entrances/exits should be located South/Southeast, this exposure also lends itself for "lighter" exterior materials such as glazing and trellis effects, which naturally lends itself to the best gain of natural day lighting. The majority of the wind not only comes from the West Northwest, the wind is also more consistent from these directions, providing the majority of coldest weather.

Range of temperature and Relative Humidity:

Consistent patterns start to emerge from these diagrams as we start to dive deeper into the relationship correlations: problems = solutions. The average temperature and relative humidly seem to have a perfectly synchronized rhythm as they dance along these charts during the winter months and as we enter into the summer months there seems to be a more aggressive/radical shift in both the humidity and temperature. Oddly enough these radical shifts in humidity and temp. are in the summer months where there are plenty of opportunities, as we have seen demonstrated in the above diagrams, to resolve with site placement of entrances/exits use of day lighting and natural cooling methods by capturing cooler winds from the Easternly exposure.

Wind Speed and Direction:

The diagram to the right indicates that although that the average wind speed is relatively slow in the summer months it can and should be harnessed for natural cooling in the afternoon to late afternoon hours during the summer. While during the winter months the wind is similarly average but with potential to double its speed creating colder harsher conditions, even more so emphasizing the need to locate entrances/exits to the South as well as consider stronger more reliable materials along the Western facades as previously mentioned. The second diagram regarding wind speed indicates that during the year, Boston experiences constant wind (except a small amount of early mornings in late summer). This should prove handy if there are opportunities (need to keep in mind the surrounding buildings, but if near the water options are available) on site to generate and possibly subsidize wind energy, the best form of clean energy as of now.

Annual % of the rays (Sunshine):

With an average of 58% cloud cover throughout the year, sunshine is literally like small rays of gold, being that there is a high demand to attract as much of it as we can. whether it be to light the space, heat the space, or to store the power of the sun for energy conservation, the goals will rely on the other principles set forth earlier. I don't believe there to be much of an upside to conservation efforts (solar power, heating, solar gain) but I do believe with proper siting and planning that there is much to gain in lighting the studio spaces and crit areas, as well as provide a sun pool for outdoor reflection.

Bio-climatic/Psychometric diagram:

Finally, we come to a point where all info is jammed into one diagram that can be used to see how all of the data is related to one another and at what points do the "problems = solutions". Here in Boston the average temperature, outside the winter, is also the common "comfort zone" temperature (70 -75 degrees). This allows for the opportunity for natural ventilation cooling to become the main source for cooling and nature to combine within a space.

The main focus for this Boston site is not its cooling methods but the proper way to heat during the winter months as well as most of the year. The winter months will likely depend on conventional heating while the spring and fall months could possibly rely on thermal massing and internal heat gain for heating, thus reducing the burden and dependence of conventional heating.

For comparative purposes:

I was very interested on the default settings used to generate these diagrams and wanted to see what would happen if i were to increase the 'Comfort Zone' level. In Las Vegas, Nevada, we have a very different climate with a much higher "Comfort Level", so for fun I raised the level to 80-85 degrees. The diagram below shows the differences in 'Design Strategies'. I was actually surprised to see that there weren't many differences. The higher comfort zone required less natural ventilation cooling but provided less internal heat gain and while the Humidification hours were similar, the hours of wind protection increased (which makes no sense to me) and an increase in conventional heating. I guess i should have set the comfort level to 70-85 degrees; I bet the results would remain as the default but there would be less need for heating.