Air
The term ‘air’ refers to the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth. It is invisible, odourless and tasteless and mainly comprises nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%) and traces of other gases such as carbon dioxide, neon, argon, helium, methane and hydrogen, as well as water vapour.
Types of air referred to in the built environment include:
Other articles about air on Designing Buildings include:
- Air brick.
- Air change rate.
- Air conditioning.
- Air entrainment.
- Air filtration.
- Air infiltration.
- Air pollution.
- Air Quality Taskforce.
- Air quality.
- Air rights.
- Air source heat pumps.
- Airspace.
- Air temperature.
- Air tightness.
- Air-supported structure.
- Argon.
- Carbon dioxide.
- Carbon monoxide.
- Clean Air Act.
- Clean Air Zone.
- Compressed air plant.
- HVAC.
- Hydrogen.
- Indoor air quality.
- Indoor air velocity.
- Methane.
- Nitrogen.
- Ozone.
- Radon.
- Underfloor air distribution.
- Water vapour.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
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New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.
Why construction can't afford to ignore the skills gap.


















