Living Museum, Dudley

Fatade was appointed to deliver a detailed CIBSE TM52 Overheating Assessment for the new Living Museum. The building forms a key part of the museum’s wider redevelopment, serving as a gateway to its expanded historical narrative.

Working closely with the design team, Fatade’s role focused on informing the natural ventilation and window design strategy to ensure thermal comfort for visitors and staff, particularly during peak summer periods. The assessment was critical in validating the building’s passive design approach, which prioritised low-energy, fossil fuel-free operation.

Using dynamic thermal modelling, we evaluated internal conditions across key occupied zones, testing multiple scenarios that considered glazing ratios, window opening schedules, and night-time ventilation strategies. The analysis was benchmarked against CIBSE TM52 criteria, identifying potential overheating risks and recommending design refinements to mitigate them.

Our findings supported the integration of windcatcher chimneys, operable windows, and thermal mass to regulate internal temperatures without mechanical cooling. These insights helped the design team optimise the building’s passive performance while maintaining architectural intent.

Fatade’s contribution ensured that the museum met both comfort and compliance standards, reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability, user wellbeing, and long-term operational resilience.