Passive ventilation systems : British period hospitals in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation explores the subject of passive ventilation within British period hospitals in Malta. As a strategic naval base and by virtue of the political-economic developments of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Island's role called for a number of medical facilities to be constructed observing the leading medical theories of the day. On several occasions, the Island accommodated sick and injured troops coming from various theatres of war, earning its title as the 'Nurse of the Mediterranean'. The research ascertains why at the time, passive ventilation was held in such high regard and studies the developments in ideology manifested through local hospital design. By qualitatively analysing· six hospital buildings, several passive systems and details concerned with the admittance of fresh air have been identified. This, together with a two month environmental monitoring· regime and a representative computational model, has enabled the author to confirm that passive ventilation was meticulously employed in local medical buildings constructed throughout the 151year colonial experience. Therefore, considering today's energy consciousness, this dissertation aims to inform local bio-climatic design and advise the reinstatement of such systems within British period architecture.