Swinal Samant
Course Director, Architectural Studies; Senior Tutor and Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering
Contact
Biography
My research on 'Environmental Sustainability' in the built environment focuses on 'Building Sciences' and 'Urban Design'.
Research in Building Science is conducted largely through 'Investigations of day-lighting in atrium buildings' involving parametric modelling using physical models and computer simulations. Investigations include examining the influence of atrium surface reflectance distributions, atrium geometry, and atrium facade design on daylight in atrium and its adjoining spaces. Comparative study between algorithms, physical scale model and radiance simulated study of daylight levels in an atrium building have also been undertaken. Research in Urban Design undertaken primarily through the medium of 'Waterfront Regeneration' develops a critical appraisal of the meanings and manifestations of specific Indian waterfront environments and their related structures, highlights key challenges and develops sustainable strategies for them. This work has been funded by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) UK Trust. Engagement with the U21 Water Futures for Sustainable Cities Network and funding from the University of Nottingham's Research In and On Asia Fund led to the formation of an international multi-disciplinary network of researchers and practitioners, and a successful international symposium entitled "Reflections on Water" at the University in January 2009.
Expertise Summary
My research on 'Environmental Sustainability' in the built environment focuses on 'Building Sciences' and 'Urban Design'.
Building Science Research The importance of daylight in atrium's environmental performance, particularly its potential to reduce electrical lighting and associated thermal loads, has led to several investigations of day-lighting in atria and its adjoining spaces. Investigations of day-lighting in atrium buildings have been conducted largely through parametric modelling using physical models placed inside an artificial sky, and computer simulations using programmes such as Ecotect and Radiance. Investigations include examining the influence of atrium surface reflectance distributions, atrium geometry, and atrium facade design on daylight (Daylight Factor and Average Daylight Factor[ADF]) in atrium and its adjoining spaces. Several studies indicate the potential to improve daylight in adjoining spaces through a progressive increase in the amount of openings from the upper to the lower floors in medium scale atria. With the objective of providing optimum glazing ratios for a four sided, top-lit, square atrium building, the effects of different glazing distributions on Daylight Factors (DFs) in the atrium and its adjoining spaces under overcast sky conditions have been parametrically studied. Additionally, research includes a paper that chronologically and thematically reviews published literature of investigations particularly focussing on the influence of atrium geometry and atrium facades on daylight in atria and their adjoining spaces. Research has also been undertaken to establish the accuracy of different methods used to obtain average daylight factor values (ADF) in an atrium. To this end a comparative analysis between ADF values obtained using physical model study, standard formula calculation and Radiance simulation was carried out for different distribution patterns of atrium wall reflectance on the floor of a square, four sided, top-lit atrium model under overcast sky conditions. Urban Design Research Given the symbolic and religious associations with water, waterfronts continue to be profoundly important to the Indian way of life making them major spiritual centres and consequently significant places of human congregation. These public spaces have the potential to solve imperative social, economic and environmental issues, however, are subject to continued neglect, abuse associated with religious practices, and developmental pressures. Research in this field has been undertaken primarily through the medium of 'Waterfront Regeneration' and develops a critical appraisal of the meanings and manifestations of specific Indian waterfront environments and their related structures, highlights key challenges and develops sustainable strategies for them in the light of detailed site investigations, theoretical and practical exploration of imperative issues, and current knowledge on the subject. This work has been funded by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) UK Trust. Engagement with the U21 Water Futures for Sustainable Cities Network and funding from the University of Nottingham's Research In and On Asia for the project "Waterfronts: Meanings and Manifestations in the Asian Context" led to the formation of an international multi-disciplinary network of researchers and practitioners, and a successful international symposium entitled "Reflections on Water" at the University in January 2009. Following this event, a British Academy Small Research Grant proposal entitled "Re-visioning Mumbai: Waterfronts and Open Spaces" is currently being developed. With the purpose of rebuilding Mumbai as a humane and environmentally sustainable city, the focus of this project is to re-vision areas of Mumbai through a neighbourhood planning approach, recognising their own unique characteristics and aspirations best understood by its residents but also the larger city issues. The objective is to influence future government plans but also to use planning as a democratic tool to bring about social change, promote a collective culture, and root out alienation and a passive approach whereby citizens remain mere spectators to such processes. My research spanning two distinctive fields has resulted in publications in leading international peer reviewed journals,conferences/seminars presentations including invited contributions, funding bids, and editorial/conference refereeing responsibilities.
Teaching Summary
Swinal has been involved in the delivery of a number of modules in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs through which she fully contributes to the ethos of holistic sustainable design and… read more
Research Summary
Swinal's research on 'Environmental Sustainability' in the built environment focuses on 'Building Sciences' and 'Urban Design'.
Building Science Research
The importance of daylight in atrium's environmental performance, particularly its potential to reduce electrical lighting and associated thermal loads, has led to several investigations of day-lighting in atria and its adjoining spaces.
My investigations of day-lighting in atrium buildings have been conducted largely through parametric modeling using physical models placed inside an artificial sky, and computer simulations using programmes such as Ecotect and Radiance. Investigations include examining the influence of atrium surface reflectance distributions, atrium geometry, and atrium facade design on daylight (Daylight Factor and Average Daylight Factor [ADF]) in atrium and its adjoining spaces.
Several studies indicate the potential to improve daylight in adjoining spaces through a progressive increase in the amount of openings from the upper to the lower floors in medium scale atria. With the objective of providing optimum glazing ratios for a four sided, top-lit, square atrium building, the effects of different glazing distributions on Daylight Factors (DFs) in the atrium and its adjoining spaces under overcast sky conditions have been parametrically studied.
Additionally, research includes a paper that chronologically and thematically reviews published literature of investigations particularly focusing on the influence of atrium geometry and atrium facades on daylight in atria and their adjoining spaces.
Research has also been undertaken to establish the accuracy of different methods used to obtain average daylight factor values (ADF) in an atrium. To this end a comparative analysis between ADF values obtained using physical model study, standard formula calculation and Radiance simulation was carried out for different distribution patterns of atrium wall reflectance on the floor of a square, four sided, top-lit atrium model under overcast sky conditions.
Urban Design Research
Given the symbolic and religious associations with water, waterfronts continue to be profoundly important to the Indian way of life making them major spiritual centers and consequently significant places of human congregation. These public spaces have the potential to solve imperative social, economic and environmental issues, however, are subject to continued neglect, abuse associated with religious practices, and developmental pressures.
Research in this field has been undertaken primarily through the medium of 'Waterfront Regeneration' and develops a critical appraisal of the meanings and manifestations of specific Indian waterfront environments and their related structures, highlights key challenges and develops sustainable strategies for them in the light of detailed site investigations, theoretical and practical exploration of imperative issues, and current knowledge on the subject. This work was funded by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) UK Trust. Engagement with the U21 Water Futures for Sustainable Cities Network and funding from the University of Nottingham's Research In and On Asia for the project "Waterfronts: Meanings and Manifestations in the Asian Context" led to the formation of an international multi-disciplinary network of researchers and practitioners, and a successful international symposium entitled "Reflections on Water" at the University in January 2009.
Selected Publications
SHARPLES, S. and SAMANT, S., 1999. Reflectance distributions and atrium daylight levels: a model study International Journal of Lighting Research and Technology. 31(4), 165-170