Project Description:

A New York City building underwent litigation pertaining to the construction of an addition to the existing structure and resultant structural support system depriving tenants of proper light and air through their existing windows. Falcon performed a light and air study on the effect of both the addition and the structural support system on lighting and air flow in defense of the claim.

Investigation by Falcon:

• Falcon measured the light levels and gathered information on the existing site, including dimensions, beam measurements, window locations, etc.
• Using the information gathered, Falcon created a computation model of the space using GMSH, a computational fluid dynamics analysis tool to analyze the air flow with and without the additional structural support system at different air velocities.
• Falcon simulated the light intensity of the building under varying conditions and at different times of the day and year. The building was modeled as built, with the addition to the structure, and with both the addition and the structural support system.
• Falcon reviewed the applicable New York City building codes and regulations pertaining to light levels and ventilation and evaluated the effect of the additional structure and structural support system in relation to the code.

Summary of Findings:

The Light and Air modeling proved the effect of the support steel on the interior of the affected units and allowed the Arbitrator to reach his findings.