Toward a Spatial Model for Outdoor Thermal Comfort

This paper presents the methods used and initial data analysis implemented toward the development of a spatial-architectural model for outdoor thermal comfort. Variables have been identified from existing thermal comfort models and qualified relative to their spatiality while data from a subset of these has been collected for preliminary statistical modelling, used to develop an initial understanding of the significance of spatial variables on thermal comfort. Although the specific analyses undertaken thus far are only introductory and do not provide definitive conclusions on their significance, the current study begins to bring to light the possibility that some explicitly spatial variables may explain enough variation in outdoor thermal comfort to justify the creation of a thermal comfort model for architectural design. The benefits of this approach on urban design and urban analysis is discussed.