ATRICOM, Frankfurt

Assignment
The atrium in the commercial building ATRICOM in Frankfurt is to be used as gathering zone. A ventilation concept, having a strong interaction with the external climate, had to be designed. The limits of ventilation by natural convection shall be determined. 

Solution
A 1:10 scale model of the atrium was constructed. The simulation of the critical marginal conditions of the A/C enabled us to make the room flows visible that are created by different systems. Air speeds and temperatures were measured and calculated for the original atrium, based on aerodynamic model principles. The room flow was made visible by fog, using light sheet technology.

Advantage
The thermal comfort in the atrium is now guaranteed even under extreme climatic conditions.