Figure 3.46 - Main entrance of the wada

Figure 3.46 - Main entrance of the wada

(Source - Rejuvenating south Indian vernacular architecture as a model for sustainable design by Dr. K Thirumaran)

3.4.3 Construction techniques

In a humid environment, the primary design goals are to reduce heat gain by increasing thermal capacity, providing shade, reducing exposed spaces, and regulating and scheduling ventilation. All of these requirements are considered in this Wada and are met by some design intervention.

Both the inner and external walls are massive (Figure 3.45). The walls are around 80cm to 100cm thick. These thick walls act as a thermal barrier, keeping heat from escaping the building.

The thickness of the wall and the plastering material used have a significant influence in limiting heat transmission through the wall.

Wooden columns, beams, and rafters supported the upper levels. The attic was designed to keep household items (Figure 3.47).

In comparison to today's design, the door height is lower. Rich carvings adorn the door frame. Lintels, which support both doors and windows, are made of wood.

Figure 3.47 - Wooden columns, rafters, beams & storage attic

(Source - Rejuvenating south Indian vernacular architecture as a model for sustainable design by Dr. K Thirumaran)

3.4.4 Construction materials

• Wada is a load-bearing construction made up of stone, brick, mud, and wooden

components.

• The walls are roughly 1 m thick and support the load of the superstructure, which is made up of stone and brick masonry with mud and lime plaster used for thermal insulation.

• The wada has two different types of flooring. 1) Red oxide flooring 2) Patikallu (type of stone) flooring. Patikallu is a good thermal insulator. • The upper-level floors are composed of wood, with mud flooring and a stone slab on top, as well as layers of gunny sacks and dried Neem tree leaves for insect management. The floor has a total thickness of around 60cm, which offers thermal insulation. (Figure 3.48). • Wooden doors and windows are also used.

This Wada's materials were completely acquired locally, leading in a more sustainable and cost-effective design. Because of the technology and materials used, the building's embodied energy is very low, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Figure 3.48 - Upper floor level detail

(Source - Rejuvenating south Indian vernacular architecture as a model for sustainable design by Dr. K Thirumaran)

3.4.5 Passive techniques

Windows cover around ten percent of the floor space. When compared to interior windows that face a courtyard, outside windows are smaller and have a higher sill level (Figure 3.49). The venturi effect helps to improve cross ventilation and keeps the inside cool with this type of arrangement of apertures.

Figure 3.49 - Small windows & Jaalis on the exterior wall

(Source - Rejuvenating south Indian vernacular architecture as a model for sustainable design by Dr. K Thirumaran)

Jaalis are utilised in the outer walls to reduce solar radiation into the interior room while

allowing light and ventilation. (Figure 3.49).

The venturi effect is enhanced by double-height areas with clerestory windows, which allow hot air to ascend and flow through upper-level windows (Figure 3.50). The inside will be kept cool as a result of this.

Figure 3.50 - Double Height Space and Clerestory windows

(Source - Rejuvenating south Indian vernacular architecture as a model for sustainable design by Dr. K Thirumaran)

The central courtyard is open to sky and rectangular (Figure 3.51). The courtyard is around 45cm deep. In passive solar design, the courtyard will play a significant role. The wind flow pattern is determined by the size and proportion of the courtyard. The height of the structure to the width of the courtyard is approximately 1:1. According to studies, using the stack effect, a courtyard can boost air flow. Air warms up and rises as it flows through the inside. This heated air can exit through the courtyard. (Figure 3.52).

Figure 3.51 - Verandah & central courtyard Figure 3.52 - Stack Effect (air circulation)

(Source - Rejuvenating south Indian vernacular architecture as a model for sustainable design by Dr. K Thirumaran)

4. Pilot survey

A Google form was used to gather responses on climate responsive and traditional architecture design principles & and their parameters, which includes climate-related to construction, material and construction technique that can be adapted during construction, adaptation in planning, ventilation, and passive technique. To obtain an accurate result, the survey is extensively performed among 40 polls, with 29 respondents, and is especially replied to by architects, fresher architects, interior designers, architectural students, and the general public. The goal of evaluating the questions and responses is to prove the hypothesis.

Category – 1

Climate change will continue to have a significant impact on the building.

Category – 2

Most individuals in today's generation are not aware that houses are built following traditional methods.

Category – 3

Traditional buildings that have used passive systems for heating and cooling can provide better indoor thermal comfort.

Category – 4

Passive design adapts to the local climate and site circumstances to improve occupant comfort and health while lowering energy usage. When designing a passive building, it is critical to make full use of the local climate.

Category – 5

Considering the issue of climate change while planning for local/national development.

Category – 6

Using local resources for benefit of reducing the significant environmental implications of long-distance transportation. Many individuals believe it has some obvious advantages, such as supporting traditional construction designs, boosting the local economy, and directly engaging users with the consequences of their actions.

Category – 7

Traditional Indian houses are considered to have a better inside microclimate than modern

structures.

Category – 8

In a warm-humid climate, the design strategy should be combined with local techniques to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Category – 9

If we plan or buy a house do we see or consider factors which are affecting climatic behaviour (such as sunlight, ventilation, openings, materials used etc.)

Result

The survey results show that the majority of respondents are aware about the climateresponsive structures, design and encouraging working in favor of climate to construct structures climate-responsive, thus working locally, such as utilizing locally accessible materials, employing passive approaches, and so on, will be practical and beneficial.

5. Finding & Learning

The first objective was to study the general theory and information related to climateresponsive architecture and its design principle for the southern region of India. Different elements and parameters were understood by literature research. The key learning was to understand the concept of climate-responsive architecture and implement its design principles and parameters in the building.

The second objective was to study & analyze the southern architectural style based on parameters for climate-responsive building. This was dealt with comparing different climateresponsive buildings in the southern region having warm and humid climates and comparing them based on parameters such as the spatial feature of climate, traditional planning, construction materials and techniques, and passive techniques. While looking at various cases in the southern region it was observed that traditional buildings are more energy-efficient buildings than conventional buildings, which is one of the main reasons why traditional construction is favoured. It is said to be more long-lasting than conventional architecture. It plays a vital role as it is the building design strategy that focuses on heat gain management and heat dispersion to increase indoor thermal comfort while using no energy. Traditional buildings will become more energy-efficient and low maintenance by following these principles -

• Form of a building • Orientation of a building • Cooling envelope • Spatial arrangement • Building material

The third objective was to formulate the design principle & strategies suited for climateresponsive and traditional buildings. This was examined using a cumulative analysis based on the four case studies and a parameter survey. A research framework was developed,

showing the interconnection between the different parameters. These parameters could be applied during the construction of building to achieve climate responsive design.

• Climate analysis

• Traditional planning • Construction material & techniques

• Passive technique

6. Conclusion & Recommendation

6.1 Conclusion

The study concludes that the design principles for climate-responsive and traditional architecture are intertwined and incorporating any of them in design development rather than following conventional practices (while neglecting climate constraints) can improve living standards and aid in the achievement of climate-responsive buildings and the study on the climate-responsive approach to building design for comfort in warm-humid climate, it was observed that the parameters such as the spatial feature of climate such as (temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, solar radiation, etc.), traditional planning, construction material and technique, and passive technique or ventilation should be carefully analysed to provide proper climate design recommendations for the achievement of psychological and physiological comfort.

This research concentrated on many elements for attaining user thermal comfort and making the building climate responsive. Based on our research in the warm-humid area, we can conclude that -

"Architectural design principle contributing in the traditional architecture is well suited to achieve a climate-responsive building from traditional to conventional design."

6.2 Recommendation

1. High plinth construction - The buildings should be constructed at a high plinth or stilt as the southern region lies in a flood-prone area. 2. Use of colours - The use of suitable colours and surface treatments is a low-cost and very an effective method of lowering interior temperatures. 3. Water treatment - Proper waterproofing and quick drainage of water are essential due to heavy rainfall. 4. Orientation - The north-south orientation is ideal for deflecting solar radiation because it reduces the surface area of the building exposed to the outside.

5. Selection of material - Using materials that trap the heat inside or take longer time to heat.

Some of them are -

• Mineral wool

• Fiberglass insulation • Cellulose

6. Openings - External overhangs should be considered as they shade the openings to minimize direct harsh sunlight entering the structure.

6.3 Way forward

The study can be further continued for –

• Implementation of parameters in an urban area.

• Analyzing conventional architecture principles and parameters. • Study about different climatic zones.

• Comparing the parameter on conventional structures of the same climatic region. • Explore the traditional practises of the surrounding areas. • Study of government-enforced building standards in warm-humid climates. • Study about construction details for traditional architecture.

Bibliography

Books

Climate Responsive architecture: A design handbook foe energy efficient building by Arvind Krishan, Nick baker, Simos yannas, S V szokolay

Research paper/ journal/ thesis report

o (The Future of Architecture – Climate Responsive Design by- Ahoo Malekafzali, PhD,

Technical Solutions Analyst) o Chadalavada Karthik, Viswatej K N, Sirona Ramesh, IJETST- Vol. 04, Issue 02, Pages (50105017), 2017, ISSN 2348-9480, Analyzing Vernacular Sustainable Design Principles-A Case

Study of a Vernacular Dwelling in Godavari Region of Andhra Pradesh, India. o Singh M.K, Mahapatra Sadhan, Atreya S.K., June 2011, solar passive features in vernacular architecture of North-East India.

o Radhakrishnan S, assessment of the climate-responsive architecture of traditional houses of warm humid climate zone a case study of Chettinadu Dwellings of Tamilnadu. o M.A. Alkasli, Liu Jie, S.G. Dalibi, I.I. Danja, 2020, page-4, 5, hindrances to the Utilization of

Climate Responsive Architecture Principles for Residential Design in Northeast Nigeria. o N. Thakur, D. Parashar, C. Chidambaram and M. Dharwa, e-ISSN: 2395-3454, Vol. 20, page1021-1031, Climate Responsive Strategy Matrix for Designing Buildings in India. o Thirumaran Dr. K, Hegde Shankar Deepti, ISSN 2229-5518, Volume 8, Issue 4, Pages- 581585 April-2017, rejuvenating the Vernacular Architecture of South India as the representative of Sustainable Architecture: a case study of Hubli, Karnataka. o Madhumathi and Sundarraja M.C., ISSN 1819-544X, 2014 February; 10(2): pages 69-87,

Understanding Climate for Sustainable Building Design – A Case Study in Warm Humid

Region in India. o George Thomas, Dash P.S., ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-9 Issue-2, page 1886-1892, December 2019, Exploring Feasibility of Passive Cooling techniques in Residential Buildings in Kerala.

Online

o https://www.seradesign.com/climate-responsive-design/ o https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351090337_Guidelines_for_Climate_Responsi ve_Building_Design_in_Three_Regions_of_Nepal o https://www.doityourself.com/stry/characteristics-of-traditional-architecture o https://s3da-design.com/traditional-architecture-versus-modern-architecture/ o https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1060-what-architectsmust-know-about-climate-responsive-architecture/ o https://www.mgsarchitecture.in/green-construction/viewpoint/1964-climate-responsivearchitecture.html

o https://www.sageglass.com/en/article/designing-for-geographic-climates o https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/23597?mode=simple o http://shodhbhagirathi.iitr.ac.in:8081/jspui/image/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jspui/bitstrea m/123456789/6596/1/APD%20G10686.pdf o https://thearchiblog.com/2011/01/09/laurie-baker-the-hamlet/ o https://www.nbmcw.com/article-report/infrastructure-construction/infra-realestate/sustainable-building-design-for-affordable-housing-in-warm-humid-climate-regionof-india.html

o https://www.thebalancesmb.com/designing-climate-responsive-architecture-3157812 o https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/23597?mode=simple

Annexure

Survey regarding - Climate Responsive Architecture: Integrating Climatic Considerations as an part of Planning and Building Design

To study how climate responsive architecture can be achieved by following traditional practices in southern region in warm & humid climate.

1. Does climate effect building construction?

(Mark only one)

Yes

No

Maybe

2. Have you ever been or heard about building/house constructed through traditional architecture?

(Mark only one)

Yes

No

3. Do you think traditional building/house can provide thermal comfort?

(Mark only one)

Yes

No

Maybe

4. Do you think passive technique can reduce the impact of climate on construction?

(Mark only one)

Yes

No

Maybe

5. Which technique according to you is the best suitable for comfortable environment in warm & humid?

(Check all that apply)

Wall thickness

Openings Layout & orientation Shading All of the above

6. How can we lower the impact of climate on traditional building?

(Mark only one) Plan accordingly to it Use alternate methods

Doesn’t think about the climate

Other

7. Which material do you think would be more preferable for construction in warm & humid climate?

(Mark only one)

Local material

Modern material

Foreign material Any material

8. Do you think traditional building is more climate responsive then modern building?

(Rate 1 - 5)

1

2

3

4

5

9. If you plan or buy a house would you see or consider factors which are affecting climatic behaviour. (Such as sunlight, ventilation, openings, materials used etc.)

(Mark only one)

Yes

No

Maybe

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Plagiarism report

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