*This survey was conducted on the tenth of November 2003. Kimberly and Brienne interviewed and then paraphrased the response of owner and operator of Alexander’s Great Falafel, Alexander:

How long have you owned and been operating this kiosk?

A: I have had this place for ten years this may twenty-eighth.

What was the general building process?

A: My friend constructed the metal frame and then I hired a building contractor to put up the rest of the structure.

What are the building envelope materials?

A: The structure is primarily made up of plywood wrapped in canvas, insulation panels and single-paned windows. Some of the glass windows have been replaced with plastic windows because of the frequent break-ins. College kids have a tendency to go wild during the Duck season and have smashed my windows in on several occasions. Nothing has ever been stolen but shattered glass coats the inside and can be aggravating. Unfortunately, the plastic can be difficult to clean so I often alternate between plastic and maintenance-friendly glass.

Was thermal insulation an aspect considered in building your business then?

A: Yes, that is why I had the building contractor install insulation into the fabric of the building envelope.

How has the kiosk performed as an insulated structure so far?

A: It has worked remarkably well. If anything, it can get too hot inside, especially when I am busy with customers. On average, the inside temperature of my kiosk will be twenty to thirty degrees hotter than the outside temperature. I regulate this occurrence with cross ventilation. I have windows on both sides that help regulate the temperature.

After business hours, you place mobile insulation panels against the interior surface of the windows. Was this a later decision made in response to the minimization of heat loss at night and maximization of thermal comfort during the daytime hours?

A: No, not really. I installed the panels so that when vandals break in the window, the blockade would prevent the shattered pieces from permeating the entire interior. I did not have insulation in mind but the warmth has been an added benefit. In the morning, I would enter into my kiosk and the windows would be fogged up. Since I have installed the panels at night, the moisture and fog have diminished entirely. That has been another benefit.

Do you take personal measures to achieve thermal comfort, such as bringing a sweater to work?

A: I never wear any sweaters in here. I am most prone to wearing T-shirts through all the seasons.

Apart from the gas stove, are there any other mechanical heat sources located within the kiosk?

A: I do have a hot water tank but to this day, I have never used.

Had you the chance to construct Alexander’s Great Falafel again, what would you do differently?

A: I would build the structure bigger that is certain. I would probably rethink my placement of the windows in order to maximize views to the exterior and customers. I would also like to install an overhead vent that could allow some of the hot air to escape with the help of a fan or something of that sort. I have a small fan in the wall, but I rarely use it to help the thermal comfort due to the excessive noise that it produces.