Figure 72 analysis

ANALYSIS 72

F IGURE

Climate is the prevailing meteorological condition in a given region. It is a measure of the average pattern of variation in elements such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind over long periods of time. The design of pleasant buildings that ensure physiological comfort of users is achieved through an understanding of the climate and the human responsive systems. One of the greatest challenges facing human society in the 21st century is climate change. This refers to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period. Tackling climate change requires reducing carbon dioxide emissions by changing the ways in which buildings are designed, constructed, managed and used.

Climate, in particular, produces certain easily observed effects on architectural forms. For example, the proportion of window area to wall area becomes less as one move toward the equator. In warm areas, people shun the glare and heat of the sun, as demonstrated by the decreasing size of the windows. In the subtropical and tropical zones, more distinctive changes in architectural form occur to meet the problems caused by excessive heat. In India, deep loggias, projecting balconies, and overhangs casting long shadows on the walls of buildings are found. Wooden or marble lattices fill large openings to subdue the glare of the sun while permitting the breeze to pass through. Such arrangements characterize the architecture of hot zones, and evoke comfort as well as aesthetic satisfaction with the visible endeavors of man to protect himself against the excessive heat.

This paper describes how climate affects building patterns in various climatic regions. Climate plays a very important role in architectural and building forms. The comparison of climatic data and the requirements for thermal comfort provides the basis for the selection of building form and building elements appropriate for the climate so as to create necessary internal comfort. Efforts are made here to present specific design forms in major climates. It is pointed out that standards are relative and that man should not necessarily submit to climate but may equally control it. Energy‐saving buildings are good attempts in this direction. The importance of social, cultural and economic factors is made mentioned of. With respect to climate, the structural elements of the building (foundation, wall, roof, openings) are of special concern.

It seems that people have accepted that climate should be considered in the design of buildings. But practically, our contemporary designs are heavily dependent on fossil energy over the life of the building because of their association with mechanical devices to control the micro-climate inside the buildings. But this approach has many disadvantages: not only increases the initial construction cost considerably, but their periodic maintenance costs are also very high. This study showed that although many traditional buildings exist still in the desert, but the integration of traditional architecture as a compiled set in order to use in contemporary modern architecture and make it sustainable is still challenging but desirable. It seems inevitable that instead of relying on the tools

and gadgets, the architect must learn about indigenous passive strategies and draw its efforts to control the micro-climate inside the buildings with minimum energy and natural techniques. Thus, mechanical systems and active devices can be auxiliary and activated only when the natural resources do not provide the thermal comfort of residents.