Climate Responsive Architecture - Design Studio by Avaneesh Nataraja

Assisted Ventilation

Note: Air coolers (Evaporative cooling) can be used in all the rooms with ventilation.

C O N T E N T S 1. Heat Driven Stack Effect

2. Down Draft Air Cooler

The heat driven stack vent flushes out the heat of the kitchen, stack vent is oriented to have the bigger surface area exposed to the sun throughout the day.

Prevailing winds (-)

Store room

Kitchen

The air from outside is passed through the cooling pad and cool moist air is spread throughout the room by the down draft created by the fan. The doors and windows of the rooms can be opened to create an air movement and increase ventilation.

The cover of the stack vent avoids rainwater from entering the duct and creats a suction of hot air.

Living room

Bedroom

02 03 04 05

INITIAL EXERCISES 01

LOCAL CASE STUDY 02

INT CASE STUDY 03

FINAL DESIGN 04 - 09

SIMULATION 10

RETROFIT EXERCISE

MATERIAL STUDY

MODIFIED HOUSE PLAN

10. Stack vent - West rooms

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

LIFT

- Vent above windows increases air movement - Contributes to cooling

1. Vertical louvers(West openings) - Protects from low angled sun - Prevents direct hit of hot winds - Alligned according to sun path

9. Window above door GALLERY

2. Extended chajjas

- Prevents the summer sun.

- Increases air movement - Ventilates even when the door’s ..closed - Reduces the dependency on AC

PUJA

3. Vertical fins

LIVING ROOM

machine which acts

by which air is

composite material

as a container which

circulated through,

composed of fine and

provide high temp

mixed with or

coarse aggregate

and pressure for the

dissolved in a liquid or

bonded together with

chemical reactions

a substance

cement

Local Steppe Climate (BSh) 215m above sea level (Flat land) 36 °C (highest) 24°C (lowest) Annual rainfall- 707mm

7. Plants (east and west) - Reduces heat (Evapotranspiration) KITCHEN

STUDY

MASTER BED ROOM

5. Vegetation

STORE

6. Brise Soleil

UTILITY

- Prevents the high angled sun. - Adjustable throughout the year. - Avoids over heating of balconies. - Avoids indirect heat gain

Calcined Gypsum: Increases the setting time; adds to the durability and strength

Climate Brief

4. Cavity walls (West and south) D

machine

Quartz Sand: Used instead of sand; resistant to weathering

- Allows light - Avoids heating

cutting at the site or compacted with a

What does it consist?

8. Double Glazing Unit - D

PORCH

- Avoids over heating of balconies. - Shades the balcony - Cools air (Evapo transpiration)

Concrete is a

Usually blocks are customised by wire

SAUNA

- Western facade gets extensively heated. - Ventilation regulates the air in cavity. - Prevents water seepage. - Less heating of bathrooms on the south

Aeration is a process

BROTHER’S ROOM

MY ROOM

- Protects from radiation - Keeps the windows recessed

Autoclave is a

Lime: Water and moisture resistant; increases bond strength Concrete: Gives volume; compressive strength Water: Binds; hydration of cement Aluminium Powder: It reacts with calcium hydroxide in the cement producing hydrogen gas which gives it a cellular structure and makes the material lighter

Thermal Properties Summer Solistice (80° alt)

Modified Kitchen/ Utility Section Problems

- Kitchen Heat - Heated Utility

- Slab Heating - Less Ventilated

Modified West Bedrooms

Problems - Over heating during late noon - Hot and suffocated at night

12:00hrs Winter Solistice (51.9° alt)

Shaded by the net during the day

- Slab Heating - Less ventilated

Ventilated for night flushing

16:30hrs

Ventilated for night flushing

MY ROOM / MASTER BEDROOM

- Flushes out kitchen heat - Increases air movement - Reduces over heating

KITCHEN

2. Wet bamboo mats

- Stops direct hit of hot winds - Cools down by evaporative cooling - Can be used during harsh summers

4.1 Brise Soleil

4.2 Vegetative cover

3. Slab shading

- Protects from harsh summer sun - Adjustible angle for different seasons

- Protects from harsh winds - Reduces the temperature

- Aviods heat gain - Flushes out heat at night

2. Slab shading

- Flushes out hot air - Increases air movement - Reduces over heating

- Aviods heat gain - Flushes out heat at night

4. Chajjas and fins

5. Cavity walls (ventilated)

6. Vertical louvers

- Reduces over heating - Allows light

- Aviods direct sun light - Protects from summer

- Increases thermal lag - Flushes out heat at night

- Breaks sun rays - Allows Ventilation

Note: Air coolers (Evaporative cooling) can be used in all the rooms with ventilation.

1. Heat Driven Stack Effect

2. Down Draft Air Cooler

The heat driven stack vent flushes out the heat of the kitchen, stack vent is oriented to have the bigger surface area exposed to the sun throughout the day.

Major Ideas

1. Stack Vent above window

3. Double Glazing Units

Assisted Ventilation

- Ventilated Double Skin Shading the Terrace - Stack Ventilation - Down Draft Evaporative cooler. - Cavity Walls - Shading Devices - Vegetation - Double Glazing Units

Thermal Insulation

Winter Solistice (15.72° alt)

1. Stack Vent in the Kitchen UTILITY

Thermal lag

Normally, the thermal conductivity of AAC block varies from 0.1 to 0.7 W/(m·K) for density of 400–1700 kg/m3. Which is relatively less.

Summer Solistice (29.53° alt)

Shaded by the net during the day

Thermal conductivity

Good insulation due to air pockets in the cellular structure (high R value). But, not sufficient without the use insulation layer in extreme cold climates. (R value - 8.34-hft2F/Btu) Brick

CMU

AAC

•

Reduces air conditioning cost by 20%

•

Usually used with a plaster/ insulation

•

Relatively less radiant barrier than CMU

•

Creates an air tight envelope

•

Smooth texture reduces the solar gain

Source: https://www.aerconaac.com/

The thermal lag is high due to insulating property of the blocks. It need night flushing of the emitted short wave radiation. Acts as a good thermal mass.

Advantages

Prevailing winds (-)

The cover of the stack vent avoids rainwater from entering the duct and creats a suction of hot air.

Disadvantages

1. Easy Application / workability

1. Strength Limitations

Being light in weight and larger in size it becomes easy for a mason particularly in high rise work

Due to aeration and the cellular porous structure the material compromises with the strength and mechanical properties. Hence, it is mostly used along with a RCC (slab and column) frame structure.

2. Noise control/ resistant

2. High Manufacture costs

With a sound transmission class rating of 44, it can be used as a sound barrier 8" wall along busy roads

The autoclave machines, steam curing and the aluminium powder increase the manufacture costs of the product. 3. Usage in Rainy Climate

3. Insect and pest control

With solid wall construction and finishes, there are fewer if any, cavities for insects & rodents to dwell in.

Store room

Kitchen

Living room

The blocks should have external vapour barriers and under strict surveillance and taken care to keep away the moisture. Cracks, weathering and efflorescence is immediately observed.

Source: https://www.aerconaac.com/

4. Brittle Nature

4. Energy Efficient

Bedroom

Source: https://www.indiamart.com/

Thermal insulation benefits of using AAC Blocks help maintain distinct internal and external temperatures, saving energy cost.

The material becomes very brittle after a 3 years of usage. Extra care is necessary and fixtures involving penetration should be avoided

N Illustrations Source: http://www.ecorex.in/ c

Source: https://www.aerconaac.com/

CASE STUDY 1 Lilavati Lalbhai Library, Ahmedabad.

Wind and Ventilation

Warm Winds

Angle of sun (Calc at 12 noon) Summer: 60 °- 78 ° (Mar-Jul) Winter: 51.2 °-58 ° (Nov-Feb)

FunctionInteractive library

Though the main activity spaces are air conditioned, having a ventilated buffer space around keep the spaces cool.

Buffer Space The core is made of steel structure with dry wall and glass. The upper floors have fitted glass to allow natural lighting.

Intent- An interactive space for students, which is also a demonstration of passive climate mitigation strategies in architecture

The sun exposed spaces are painted white in the exteriors.

Strategy- Cut down direct radiation and increase ventilation.

The well ventilated buffer space around the core activity space helps in regulating heat gain.

Major Ideas- Stack ventilation, earth sheltering and buffer spaces.

Ventilated Buffer Space Air Conditioned Space

Step 1

Louvered Facade

Local Steppe Climate (BSh) 51m Above sea level 81.53 °F (highest) 27°F (lowest) Avg Rainfall- 29.6mm Hottest month- May Coldest month- January Rainiest month- July

Step 4

The vertical louvers in the east and west direction are used to cut down a range of sun’s azimuth angle during the morning and the evening hours. While the north just needs vertical fins at equal intervals to shade the openings.

It helps in night flushing the heat gained by the building throughout the day. The building’s modulated louvered facade can be manually adjusted to reduce the solar gain and increase ventilation, they also pour in a lot of natural lighting for the interior spaces.

Step 2

Step 3

Basement floors

External skin with niches

Why vertical louvers?

Climate Brief

Structural System

Form / Massing / Geometry

Subtraction from ground

Main activity spaces are protected from the south warm winds by the functional buffer offered by the staircase.

Step 1: Load bearing retaining walls hold the soil in the basement levels

Core activity spaces

Step 2: Floor plates are supported by the concrete column grid

Step 4: Hollow concrete load bearing skin at the ground level with niches

Step 5

Frame structure with louvers

Step 3: Skin made of drywall is built around the inner core

Step 5: Structural steel frame work with louvers fitted in them

Direct and Indirect Lighting

Circulation Strategy

First floor illustrated with day light experienced by the spaces

Typical Basement

Typical Upper Floor Direct Sunlight Indirect Sunlight

All the floors are connected by a long vertical staircase section located at the south. Basement section has book racks at the center and the reading cabins placed around it with a circulation space.

Vertical Circulation

Artificial Lighting

Books Racks Reading Cabins

NOTE: Even the direct light marked is the light reflected from the louvers. The main activity spaces utilises the indirect light

CASE STUDY 2 Desert Breathing Center, Arizona.

Building Physics External insulated walls The walls are insulated from outside to prevent heat gain. Night ventilation can be fulfilled by the vents.

Tilt and turn door Helps in sealing the opening from the harsh external radiation, dust, rain and winds.

The hot air inlet should have an option of closing to prevent dust and rain. During winters evaporative cooling is not needed.

Prefered to have an insulation between the metal frame and the wall to prevent conduction of heat.

Angle of sun (Calc at 12 noon) Summer: 54.7 °- 68.6 ° (Mar-Jul) Winter: 38.2 °-40 ° (Nov-Feb)

FunctionInterfaith Chapel

Day

Night

IntentThe chapel is designed to integrate the building systems, through use of climate responsive strategies Strategy- Cooling in summer and heating in winters, utilise high sun exposure throughout the year. Major IdeasEvaporative cooling, Earth Sheltering and Solar chimneys.

Form / Massing / Geometry

The black painted panel accumulates maximum heat from the solar radiation and heats up the duct which creates a flow of hot air from the spaces into the ducts, which is flushed out through openings.

Structural System

During the night, all the heat gained by the building throughout the day is flushed out through the open vents. which makes it ready for the next day usage. Good air flow

More solar gain

Height of the cone decided by spaces

Structure of the conical stack vent.

The size (height and width) and number of ducts is decided by light and ventilation (based on function) needed to the space below.

Evaporative Cooling Mechanism

RCC load bearing walls with glass fitted in the conical steel frame. An insulation layer between the steel and concrete to prevent heat transfer.

The building has a simple underground square geometry for the functional spaces.

Step 1

The hot air from outside is scooped inside by the suction created by the fan, just like the mechanism of an air cooler.

Climate Brief Temperate Semi Arid Climate 24 °C (highest) 7.7 °C (lowest) Avg precipitation- 481 mm Hottest month- June Coldest month- Dec Rainiest month- Aug

Direct / Indirect Lighting

Zoning

Step 2 The hot air cools down by the process of evaporative cooling as it passes through the water, just as the air cools down through the cooling pad in air cooler. Private Chapel

Step 3

Meeting Room Main Chapel Vertical Circulation

Then, the cool air is spread throughout the space by the draft created by the fan.

Library Toilets

Key Sun Path

SITE - JODHPUR

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES?

Inspiration from Lifestyle of Insects

Roof Garden

1. Heat Transfer through Building Elements A. Roof - Most Exposed to Sun (Major Culprit) B. External walls C. Openings for ventilation

Night

Day

2. Ventilation (Avoiding Hot Air) Arrangement of Functions have been planned mimicking the lifestyle of Insects on site

A Roof garden acts as a high thermal mass and gives a cooling effect through evapotranspiration

Evaporative Cooling (Major Passive Cooling Technique)

DESIGN CONCEPTS

HYGROSCOPIC MATERIALS

High Exposed Thermal Mass (Shaded and Ventilated) Insulated connection to Thermal mass

Metal Sheet

Honeycomb Cooling Pads

CSEB Brick A porous screen is dampened using water sprinklers. It humidifies the hot breeze from the external environment and creates a cool breeze through evaporative cooling

*Idea has been adopted for all the exposed Building mass

Staggered Layout (Provides Mutual Shading)

AAC Blocks

HOT SUN TO AVOID WINTER SUN FOR HEAT

Climate Brief

TEMPERATURES

Temperate Semi Arid Climate 231m Above sea level Annual Rainfall- 750mm Hottest month- May Coldest month- January Rainiest month- July

WIND WHEEL

MORNINGS

EVENINGS

C O N C E P T S

Vault Roofing

*Barrel Vaults and 120° Segmental Vaults of different sizes are used

Ventilated Double Skin The metal skin of a 90° arc (considered as most

exposed) is fixed with an insulated connection. It helps in shading the roof and also as a heat driven stack vent to evacuate the hot air inside.

Thermal Flux Study Thermal flux study of different types of vaults helped in deciding the perfect roofing system which practically mellow downs the temperature curve experienced from the interiors. SOURCE- https://academic.oup.com/ijlct/article/13/3/204/4990335

DESIGN PROCESS STAGE DEVELOPMENT DISPLAY SPACE STUDIO HOMESTAY RESIDENCE

COURTYARD

STAGGERING

PLAY OF LEVELS

ROOF TEXTURING

DETAILING

C-SHAPED BUILDING LAYOUT TUCKED INTO THE EXISTING MOUND CREATES A CENTRAL COURTYARD

STAGGERED SPACES HELP IN SELF SHADING A PART OF THE EXPOSED WALL FROM THE HARSH SUN

LEVELS OF BUILDING ARE DESIGNED TO MUTUALLY SHADE THE MAJOR DAY ACTIVITY SPACES

COMBINATION OF 120° AND 180° VAULTS ARE USED TO TEXTURE THE ROOF TO REDUCE THE NET HEAT GAIN. FLAT ROOFS ARE COVERED WITH TERRACE GARDENS.

LAYERING OF SPACES, ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF SPACES AND DEVELOPNG CLIMATE MITIGATION STRATEGIES.

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BUILDING PHYSICS 1 The long section from the residence and the homestay blocks shows the microclimate generated at the stepwell. The courtyards provide light and ventilation to the to the basement.

Summer Sun Alt- 80°

Winter Sun Alt- 47°

High Thermal Mass(U values)- 2.2 W/m2K (Roof), 1.8 W/m2K(Walls) Windows- Double Glazed (Argon Fill) Air Tightness (Estimated)- 0.4 Ac/Hr (Morning) 3 Ac/Hr (Night)

Summer Sun Alt- 80°

VENTILTATED DOUBLE SKIN (90°° ARC) 1. Evacuate hot air from the rooms 2. Reduce solar heat gain

Winter Sun Alt- 47°

MOST TREES TOWARDS THE WEST

HEAT DRIVEN STACK VENT

VENTILATED DOUBLE SKIN SHADES SUN EXPOSED WALLS

RETRACTABLE CANVAS LVL +8400MM Homestay Room 3

Homestay Room 4

MUTUAL SHADING ADIABATIC COOLING

Service Area

LVL +6000MM

Homestay Room 3

ADIABATIC COOLING

TERRACE GARDEN

Roof Garden

Master Bedroom

Helper’s room 1

ADIABATIC COOLING EARTH TUBE OUTLETS COOL AIR POCKET (MICRO CLIMATE)

Living Room

LVL +3000MM

ADIABATIC COOLING

Lounge Kitchen

EARTH TUBE OUTLETS

Water Body

3000mm Earth Coupled Cooling

EARTH TUBE COOLING

Guest Bedroom

3000mm Earth Coupled Cooling Green Balcony

Lounge

(Labyrinth)

LVL +0MM

HELPER’S QUARTERS/ SERVICE

GREEN COURTYARD

SERVICE/ CIRCULATION

HOMESTAY ROOMS/ LOUNGE

INTERACTION SPACE

PRIVATE COMMON ROOMS

RESIDENCE BEDROOMS

Secondary axis formed between the homestay and the residence block with a sculpture as a central point.

GREEN COURTYARD

1000

2500

4500MM

BUILDING PHYSICS 2 A

The cross section from the residence and the studio blocks shows the ventilation strategy of evacuating the hot air from the vaults and replenishing the air using the evaporative cooling system.

High Thermal Mass(U values)- 2.2 W/m2K (Roof), 1.8 W/m2K(Walls) Windows- Double Glazed (Argon Fill) Air Tightness (Estimated)- 0.4 Ac/Hr (Morning) 3 Ac/Hr (Night)

SUMMER SUN (Alt- 80°)

WINTER SUN (Alt- 40°)

Metal skin spaced to evacuate the hot air Brick Jali work filters the harsh sunlight

AAC blocks are dampened using sprinklers and used to adiabatically cool the hot wind

Earth tube pre-cooled air touches the water and fills the room with cool air

SUMMER SUN (Alt- 80°)

VENTILTATED DOUBLE SKIN (90°° ARC) 1. Evacuate hot air from the rooms 2. Reduce solar heat gain

WINTER SUN (Alt- 40°)

Way to Roof Garden

Mezzanine

LVL +6000MM

ADIABATIC COOLING

Atelier

Hot winds are passed through damp AAC blocks

ADIABATIC COOLING

Living room

Hot winds are passed through damp AAC blocks

Way to Bedrooms

LVL +3000MM

3900mm Earth Coupled Cooling

EARTH TUBE COOLING

Atelier

(Labyrinth)

2 STAGE ADIABATIC COOLING

Lounge

Way to Dining

LVL +0MM

RESIDENCE

Shaded walkways connecting all the spaces.

WALKWAYS

STUDIOS

1000

2500

4500MM

D E T A I L S

Stack vent The detail of the heat driven stack vent that evacuates the hot air from the basement

Evaporative cooling system The details of AAC blocks, sprinklers and the water collection

Sectional Model Strategies and Activities

3D Visualisation Experiential qualities of spaces

The stepwell acts as an anchor point for spaces around as well as creates common interaction space.

Studio spaces are well lit throughout the day as the jali walls filter the harsh south sunlight.

SIMULATION PART A: STUDIO

PART B: HOMESTAY AND RESIDENCE

The simulation made using the “cove tool” helped in deciding the materials and strategies that help in optimising the annual baseline energy. Also, the daylight analysis helped in deciding the fenestration for healthy living.

Baseline energy simulation of the studio gave a value 39 kWh/m²/yr. The maximum power consumption is caused equipment usage, lighting and fans. This helped in deciding the strategies and the materials.

SOURCEwww.cove.tools

Baseline energy simulation of the homestay and residence gave a value 41.30 kWh/m²/yr. The maximum power consumption is caused by the equipment usage, lighting and fans.

SDA: SPATIAL DAY LIGHT AUTONOMY

SDA simulation helped in deciding the amount of fenestration needed for a healthy working space by various trials.

SDA simulation helped in deciding the amount of fenestration needed for a healthy living by various trials at different levels.

ASE: ANNUAL SOLAR EXPOSURE

ASE simulation shows that the major work areas are annually heated less while the entrance and the corridors are relatively heated more.

ASE simulation shows that the major living areas and are annually heated less while the courtyards and the corridors are relatively heated more.

MAX SUNLIGHT HOURS/DAY

Shading the top segment that gets heated the most, reduced the net heat gain from the solar radiation through the roof

PORTFOLIO - S21 Avaneesh Nataraja Faculty of Architecture CEPT University