College of the Desert

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The College of the Desert project in Palm Springs, California, led by Sherwood Designs, exemplifies how microclimate simulations can inform sustainable urban planning, especially in extreme climates. Palm Springs, known for its harsh desert conditions, experiences summer temperatures that regularly exceed 107 °F (42 °C), with a historic heatwave in 2020 pushing the mercury to 124 °F (51 °C). These conditions necessitated thoughtful urban design that prioritizes both heat stress mitigation and resource conservation.

Core Goals of the Project

While the primary goal of the project was to develop a sustainable water infrastructure, there was also a significant opportunity to enhance the campus layout through urban microclimate modeling. ENVI-met’s 3D simulation software was essential in evaluating the environmental impacts of various design scenarios, allowing the project team to make data-driven decisions to optimize pedestrian comfort, energy efficiency, and natural cooling strategies.

A detailed microclimate analysis was conducted to assess the campus’ performance during typical summer conditions. This analysis highlighted priority areas that required further design enhancements to ensure pedestrian comfort in extreme heat.

Key features evaluated during the project included:

  • Photovoltaic shade structures and architectural shade structures
  • Tree canopy cover
  • High-albedo (reflective) surfaces

Through ENVI-met’s simulations, factors like heat islands and shading were modeled to assess and improve the campus design. The analysis helped identify areas where heat mitigation strategies, such as increased shading and optimized building placement, could be most effective. The software also demonstrated how strategic vegetation use could reduce local temperatures and improve air quality, contributing to a more comfortable and sustainable environment.

Key Findings and Results

The ENVI-met model revealed that the southernmost parking lot and transit station had significantly higher mean radiant temperature values than other portions of the campus, due to the wide adjacent roadway, expansive parking lot immediately across the street, and limited amount of tree canopy coverage in the area. This location, and a few others throughout the campus, were labeled as priority areas for the application of additional thermal mitigation strategies.

Summed up, using ENVI-met’s simulation tools, the project got several important insights:

  • Reduction in Heat Stress: Well-placed shading structures and green spaces significantly decreased heat exposure in high-traffic areas.
  • Improved Air Quality: Increased vegetation led to better air circulation and reduced hot spots, contributing to a healthier microclimate.
  • Optimized Water Usage: The simulations helped fine-tune irrigation plans, ensuring efficient water use while maintaining greenery.

As climate challenges intensify, solutions like ENVI-met’s microclimate simulations are becoming increasingly important for urban planners and architects. The College of the Desert project illustrates how advanced technology can lead to more comfortable, sustainable spaces that address both environmental and human needs.

For further details, you can watch the key findings in this video:

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