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Abstract: Over the years, empirical experimentation has been proven to be a favourable method for understanding the performance of various building systems. A literature review provided information on past experimental setups. This paper introduces the design of a test room (the TEST CELL) emulating a realistic high-rise perimeter office for experimentation with instrumental measurement. An example for testing is a new hydronic radiant panel system developed for perimeter zones in office buildings. The Test Cell is contained within a workshop adjacent to a north-facing corrugated steel sliding door. The Test Cell has a double-glazed (6mm, 12.5mm cavity, 6mm) 7.5m2 window facing solar North. At present, the room
can be passively heated to temperatures above 40°C, even at medium outdoor ambient. The Test Cell provides for different conditioning systems and various glazing and shading systems to be tested. A weather station accompanies the location, and the Test Cell contains numerous instrumentation for determining interior performance on comfort as well as its required energy inputs. The most recent testing involves hydronic conditioning systems and a polyvalent heat pump that provides for the conditioning of the room. The room is divided into four zones; two on the ceiling and two on the floor. Conditioning is provided through a solar-driven air-to-water heat pump. The instrumentation, data reporting, and graphical templates for this experimental Test Cell are reported in this paper. Several initial testing results and a proposed method of analysis and energy simulation verification are addressed.
Keywords: Empirical experiment, instrumental measurement, radiant conditioning, radiant panel.

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