“CLIMATE’S ROLE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS” A DISSERTATION Submitted by B.M.MOHANABRABU 2012701513
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE under FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND PALNNING in
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
ANNA UNIVERSITY CHENNAI 600 025 APRIL 2016
DECLARATION I
declare
that
this
Dissertation
titled
“CLIMATE’S
ROLE
IN
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS” is the result of my work and prepared by me under the guidance of AR. PRAMOD BALAKRISHNAN and that work reported herein do not form part of any other dissertation of this or any other University. Due acknowledgement have been made wherever anything has been borrowed from other sources.
Date:
Signature of the Candidate B.M.MOHANABRABU 2012701513
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that this Dissertation forming part of Course work AD 9452, Dissertation, VIII semester, B.Arch., entitled “CLIMATE’S ROLE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS” submitted by Mr. B.M.MOHANABRABU Roll No. 2012701513 to the Department of architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025 in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor Degree in Architecture is a bonafide record of work carried by him under my supervision. Certified further that to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any other dissertation.
Date:
Signature of the Supervisor Mr. Pramod Balakrishnan
External Examiner 1 Date :
External Examiner 2 Date :
Professor and Head Department of Architecture Date :
Dean SAP Date:
Acknowledgment
I express my sincere gratitude to AR. PRAMOD BALAKRISHNAN, for constantly persuading me to work towards the completion of my dissertation, for the time and effort spent on my guidance and allowing me to work flexibly. I would like to thank the architects and co-trainees in EDIFICE team for constantly encouraging me throughout the process. I would also like to thank my family and friends who have been supporting me with all their might.
Abstract The quest is to make a pragmatic research on the relationship of climate and architecture in the design process and find the expression of architecture in terms of experiencing emotions, comfort in space, materiality and energy efficiency in the built form.
Scope Design of buildings mainly depends upon program, context, climate and onsite conditions. There are other factors too, but the above predominate. These are also inter- related and are to be properly coordinated in a successful design. Climate has a greater role in buildings by affecting the comfort of space. Architecture always had a process for building to be undergone for based on time and context. The process of design evolves from the stage of idea, concept materialization and construction. The role of climatic parameters could be tracked from the process of architectural design
Research Methodology In case of climate - recurring climatic change is a factor which we are prone to endure through ages due to both natural and manmade causes. In case of architecture – the expression of architecture changes with respect to context, material, construction method and technology which change from time to time. Comparing both the cases, the relationship between climate and architecture had evolved through time in which, the tangibles and the intangibles had coexisted. This existence of qualities can be overlooked from the aspect of climatic parameters like hot and cold seasons, light, wind, humidity and precipitation. And, find how architecture had expressed itself to those parameters.
Contents 1. Introduction
1
2. Climate
6
3. Architectural design process
18
4. Human Comfort
12
5. Climatic zones
15
6. Climatic themes
24
6.1. Hot and Cold
27
6.2. Humidity and Precipitation
33
6.3. Wind and Ventilation
38
6.4. Light and Shadow
44
7. Conclusion
49
8. Bibliography
50
1. Introduction
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 1
All architecture is affected by climate, partly because a building needs to protect its interior against exterior climatic influences, partly because the building needs to be protected against erosion caused by climate. The interaction between climate and place is of critical importance to the sense of place.
Human physiology enables us to determine the impact and access the quality of our climatic surroundings. Our senses permit us – in an active interaction within individual parameters – to both experience and interpret impressions of climate and instantaneously control the state of our bodies in a response to undesired influences. Buildings do not, however in this fashion.
The framework of architecture do not pay particular on the highly developed human adaptability mechanism, which in its original form has ensured survival, good health, comfort and pleasure by means of regulations, design and construction practices. As a result, the indoor climates they create exclude the outside world rather than respond and adapt to external conditions in a dynamic way. Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 2
The simple climate screen divides the world into an outside, where you are exposed to climatic changes and an inside where you are protected and able to influence and adjust the circumstances that provide comfort. Climate, Screen and Comfort
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 3
The sophisticated climate control systems in modern buildings are designed to create and maintain an ideal level of comfort – one where as few individuals as possible feel discomforts because of range of temperatures, humidity, draught, light and sound. This in turn standardizes climate template which implies that the appearance of the building – interior or exterior – may also be standardized, thereby losing the potential of the architectural expression found in the building interactions with the local context. The standardization of regulation and human comfort level has, until recently, led to a tendency to standardize architecture from tropic to the arctic.
This research is to emerge the documents, the benefits that individual influence on the climatic parameters such as being able to turn the heating up and down, control incident sunlight and natural vents to let fresh air in and have on our sense of wellbeing.
Vernacular
Vernacular
Design
Concepts, Model
Generalisation, Principles, Mechanism
Design
It is therefore important to design the building envelop so as to enable this interaction with the user to occur. This dynamics between use, control, climate and comfort is common in vernacular which is been mostly neglected but adapted or re-interpreted in some of the modern buildings. The earth’s climate consist of a series of interactive systems, in which the individual climatic parameter, such as heat, humidity, air movement and light each contribute to Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 4
the health of whole with its own dynamic system. From each of the thus dynamic systems, principles may be derived which could save as useful parameters in the design and environmental planning of building. If such parameters are used optimally significant savings could be realized in the consumption of energy used to achieve a comfortable indoor climate but additionally, the very notion of comfort maybe explored and redefined. This will contribute to architecture aimed at creating more pleasurable and stimulating buildings.
A detailed study of climate parameters, their interactions with the human body and with the building envelop may thus imply a potential for richer architectural experiences, increased wellbeing and lower heating bills
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 5
2. Climate
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 6
Climate - the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period
Weather - the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc. “It has been said that “climate is what you expect; weather is what you get”.
There are dramatic new building forms emerging around the world that have been generated by a growing understanding of climate and its importance to sustainability. In today’s world, the emerging architecture demonstrates the power of sun, wind, light, moisture and diurnal swing to generate innovative building forms, material detailing and systems integration for sustainability by being responsive to climate.
On the basis of global weather systems, it is possible to define number of characteristics climatic situation that are great principle significance to regional climate – adapted architecture. In the interplay between the climate and building design it is important to know both normal and potential, more extreme climatic conditions. “Are the variations in temperature, precipitation, and wind only minor or are there great variations seasonally or between day and night?” “Are there are any predominant wind directions or other specific seasonal climatic phenomena into consideration?” In an era of rediscovery, the process of design efforts with regional climate graphics, study indigenous responses to climate, use climate driven computer simulation tools for design development and specifications, and celebrate climatic variability through unique architectural results. Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 7
3. Architectural design process
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 8
Every design process is unique and this generic step-by-step guide to the design process is indicative only. The number of iterations or the stages of the project may depend on the constraints of the project. The design process of architecture starts from the moment, the project is accepted and begins with the research and analysis, design ideation, scheme development, construction documentation, project implementation, post construction and maintenance.
In the process of architectural design, climate’s has its role in the process of concept design development and construction process.
3.1a Design process - starts with the idea of programs, site inventories, response to the context which defines climate responsive design and site specific variables, orientation, cool breeze access, solar access, views, Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 9
overshadowing by landforms, trees and buildings (site survey), slope (site survey), soil type (geotechnical report), bushfires risks, storm water drainage, access and transport, services (power, gas, phone, water, sewer) followed by site analysis. From the data obtained design concepts, preliminary schemes, master plan and design development stages will be involved in the process. At the initial of the design process, climate has an impact over all the process in design. This could be effected by the meteorological factors on human comfort constructions has long been considered so much so that in the traditional architecture and new civil engineering, this issue has been accounted for according to the available facilities and information. Considering climate factors registered based on long-term climate data is essential in designing.
3.1b Construction process - is the stage where the developed design is going to be engineered into a built space. This construction stage of design process involves layout planning, grading analysis, material selection and fabrication and construction detailing. The intent is to know about the cause and effect of climatic factors and to improve the understanding of how varying conditions can affect construction projects. Building construction in different locations so as to assimilate with the region’s climate and minimize the potential adverse effects and also to optimize the climate potentials.
3.2 Principles for climate adapted design: A buildings capacity to adapt to or utilize climate is a consequence of the way in which the building is constructed in relation to climate and surroundings, materials and resource consumption. The adaptability depends on both permanent, passively climate controlling parts and changeable, actively climate controlling parts. It maybe the buildings heavy or light structures and its spatial layout, or it may be transition between inside and outside in terms of façade or window design that contribute to responding to and adjusting climate between inside and outside. Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 10
Flow chart on how climate responsive systems can be implemented.
In principle, there are 3 main ways in which a building may be climate adapted in relation to its use:
A passively climate controlling building is unchangeable, but the building and its spaces can be used in various ways over day and night or at the different seasons of the year in relation to the changing climate.
An actively climate controlling building can change dynamically and adapt to changing climate conditions.
A building that combines the principles of both active and passive systems, can both be used in varied ways and actively adapt to climate called as hybrid systems.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 11
4. Human Comfort
4.1 Comfort cube: The 3 fundamental parameters of the climate gathered in the spatial model with comfort zone as a sphere at the center.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 12
Maslow’s theory is a paper on "A Theory of Human Motivation" in Psychological review. Maslow subsequently extended the idea to include his observations of humans' innate curiosity. His theories parallel many other theories of human developmental psychology, some of which focus on describing the stages of growth in humans. Maslow used the terms "physiological", "safety", "belongingness"
and
"love",
"esteem",
"self-actualization",
and
"self-
transcendence" to describe the pattern that human motivations generally move through.
The theory states that if the 2 primary needs on the bottom of the pyramid is fulfilled then the 3 needs on the top of pyramid can be attained.
Maslow’s theory on human needs
4.2a Physiological needs - are the physical requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body cannot function properly and will ultimately fail. Physiological needs are thought to be the most important; they should be met first. Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 13
4.2b Safety needs - With their physical needs relatively satisfied, the individual's safety needs take precedence and dominate behavior. In the absence
of
physical
safety
–
due
to
war,
natural
disaster, family
violence, childhood abuse, etc. – people may (re-)experience post-traumatic stress disorder or trans-generational trauma.
Climate has a significant role in satisfying the needs and providing comfort for living. Climatic elements such as light, sound, warmth, wind, humidity and precipitation affect us through the five senses: hearing, touch, smell and taste. They are the basis for more holistic approaches to climatic design for human comfort. Insight into these principles and awareness of the significance of sensory perception to the experience of our surrounding, are an important source of inspiration when designing spaces and architecture with the high level of comfort and utilizing less resource. Research in this field has identified the climatic conditions under which man is most comfortable, both at work and while resting. A temperature range of 22 degree +- 2 degree is considered an operational comfort level in the ambient air. The human body has a relatively high degree of tolerance to the air’s relative humidity, and it can stay in 20-80% relative humidity without any noticeable discomfort. The body is also tolerant to wind and movements in the air. However the complex interplay of these 3 important parameters – temperature, humidity and air movement – in both indoor and outdoor climate combined with clothing and nutrition makes it a scientific question to identify optimum conditions for extended periods of stay and work.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 14
5. Climatic zones
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 15
Categorize the types of climate, by analysing the factors determining it, will give the big picture of climatic zones around world. The grouping of climate has made primarily according to humidity into a humid or a dry climate respectively.
5.1 Hot humid: 5.1a Tropical: Stable high humidity and temperature, no defined seasons and only little climate difference between day and night. In the rain forest, humidity is constantly high with precipitation throughout the year. The heavy cloud cover reduces the radiation, but also causes a strong glare.
Buildings in these areas are typically open skeleton structure with large roofs to protect against and divert rain. Most often, building materials are light-weight materials such as bamboo, fibers or leaves. The light walls ensure that the houses are well ventilated and make the best possible use of wind for ventilation. Floors and shaded terraces are raised above the terrain to protest against flooding, moisture and small animals and provide ventilation through the floor. House may also be placed on the water to make maximum use of the cooling caused by evaporation. Outdoor kitchen remove heat, air, insects, rodents and fire hazards from the buildings.
Houses of Thailand are adapted to tropical humid climate As the phrase "Thai stilt house" suggests, one universal aspect of Thailand's traditional architecture is the elevation of its buildings on stilts, most commonly to around head height. The houses were raised due to heavy flooding during certain parts of the year, and in more ancient times, predators. Many other considerations such as locally available materials, climate, and agriculture have a lot to do with the style. Thai houses are made from a variety of wood and are Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 16
often built in just a day as prefabricated wood panels are built ahead of time and put together on site by a master builder. Many houses are also built with bamboo, a material that is easily constructed and does not require professional builders.
Traditional Thai house
5.1b Subtropical: Humid, warm coast climate outside the tropics with long, warm and humid summers and short winters, often with strong, cool winds. Buildings are primarily constructed to protect against the humidity and heat of the summer, and secondarily to protect against cool winds during the short winter. Often they feature ventilated, high ceiling rooms, spanning from one façade to another. Large covered terraces protect against sunshine and rain provide opportunities for staying outdoors. Apertures protected by louvers allow air in and keep rain out. Interiors are light and open in order to avoid gathering moisture and heat. Buildings are made out of wood and metal and often surrounded by gardens with water and shading trees. Foundation stones are raising the upright wooden poles above the moisture of the earth are typical architectural details from the humid climate.
Japanese traditional house are adapted to subtropical humid climate.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 17
Japanese traditional house
5.2 Hot dry 5.2a Desert: Extreme heat, fierce sunlight, clear sky, rare or no precipitation and lack of water. Mild winter and extremely hot summer major differences between day and night temperatures. The nomads of the desert area deal with extreme climatic conditions by using light weight transportable materials. The Bedouin tent provides maximum shade and ventilation, protects against night cooling towards the cloudless sky, and creates shelter and protection against sandstorms and the desiccating effect of the wind. Black woven wool blankets filter light and air, protect against the glare of the sunlight and become dense and cooling when moistened.
Bedouin tent, mud houses in morocco, Egyptian town houses are adapted to extremely hot and dry climate.
Egyptian town house and Bedouin tent
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 18
5.3 Moderate dry 5.3a Mediterranean climate: Long warm summer and short, cool and humid winters. The climate is mild with little variations between day and night. Traditional buildings are heavy stone buildings, which provide a stable indoor climate throughout the long summer, but require tolerance and heating during the short winter. Buildings are often whitewashed on both inside and the outside. In order to keep the strong sunlight out, there are only a few, a small window. Shutter and louvers provide extra shielding against heat and light during the afternoon siesta. Loggias, balconies, terraces, porticos, patios, enclosed courtyards and gardens provide buffer zones for outdoor living during the summer.
Town houses in Santorini, Roman atrium houses are adapted to Mediterranean climate.
Town houses in Santorini, Roman atrium houses are adapted to Mediterranean climate.
5.3b Continental climate: Long warm and dry summers and long, cold winters. Significant seasonal temperature differences and temperature variations during the day, Low humidity and strong winds, the north American plains Indian’ conical tapee is a good example of climate inspired nomad Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 19
dwelling. The tent is erected with the entrance in the steep, strengthened back against the win. Adjustable smoke flaps are used to control ventilation through the tent top. Because of its aerodynamic design, the tepee is surprisingly comfortable, even during winter, due to the use of a central fireplace and an extra animal skin lining.
Log house of Slovakia are adapted to continental climate.
Log house of Slovakia are adapted to continental climate.
5.4 Moderately Humid: Temperate coastline climate: Moderately warm, humid, rainy and changeable. This climate covers coastal areas approximately halfway between the equator and the north and south poles. The climate is characterized by its proximity to the sea, often windy, with frequent precipitation and short, cool summers and mild winters.
Buildings are protected against humidity and wind. They may be oriented so that the gable faces towards the sea and the prevailing wind, and they may have porches and unheated rooms as a transition to heated rooms, which are Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 20
normally gathered around a chimney-the heart of the house. Frequent precipitation has led to a high pitch and roof over hangs that are either clad in pipes or straw to divert water and insulate, as is seen on the Danish island of Fano, or clad in more lasting stone materials, as in Ireland. Walls are most often made of bricks. Windows can be small to protect against cold and winds in particularly exposed areas or large to compensate for the sparse daylight during dark winter periods as in Scandinavia, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Buildings along the coast of Southern England, Northern France and Northern Spain are often protected against the wind by means of light structures often by glass, which forms a climatic buffer zone.
Town houses in La courna and Spain rectangular houses in Fano Denmark.
5.5 Cold humid: 5.5a Subarctic: Cool summers, bright nights with short, intense growth periods, cold, dark winters, long snow-covered periods. Change between quiet, dry periods and humid periods and very windy weather.
The large continuous Scandinavian, Siberian and Canadian coniferous forest areas have a continental climate with long cold and windy periods. Here, the Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 21
fireplace is a central element. The nomadic Saamis erect their tents in protective areas near forest and water with the door opening facing east. Two parallel planks with the fireplace in the center divide the room into a living and a sleeping area with the thick layers of brich rod and reindeer skins as insulation against the cold. The tent, which has a smoke opening at the top like the American tepee, encircles the fireplace’s flames and radiant heat, whilst sides and back are protected by means of insulating animal skins.
The Swedish forest protects against the wind during winter. When snow settles on a roof with low slope it helps to retain the heat in the house. Here, there is sufficient timber for building massive walls around the heavy, brick chimney core at the center of the house, which retains heat for a long time. By way of contrast the Icelandic peat house finds no shelter in the bare land but is built down into the terrain, exploiting the earths moisture, air and thermal absorbing, warming qualities by means of thick peat walls and reduce heat radiation, thereby increasing the room’s surface temperature and breaking thermal bridges which tend to occur. The individual rooms have a permanent layout according to their specific function, and furniture is often an integrated part of the room’s permanent internal fittings.
Saami tent, Swedish log house, Icelandic peat house.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 22
5.6 Cold and Dry: 5.6a Arctic: Extreme cold, long, dark winters and shor, bright and cool summers. The temperature changes very little between days of 24 hours darkness and days of 24 hours light. As is the case in the extreme heat of the desert, in the extremely cold areas, the severity of the temperature is critical for human survival. Protection against cold man’s and particularly the cold wind is the greatest challenge. Animal life has inspired man’s survival strategies in these areas, and animal skins and fur are used for clothing and insulation of dwellings. The snow hut, i.e. the igloo, demonstrates man’s ability to develop architecture that provides maximum protection in extreme climatic conditions. The semicircular structure had a minimum surface in relation to volume; they are constructed by means of snow blocks, which are full of air and therefore insulating. With a sunken entrance tunnel and internal lining, body heat and a small heat contribution are sufficient to achieve indoor temperatures above 15 degree Celsius, even at very low outdoor temperatures. The yurt, an advanced portable dwelling for nomads in Siberia and Mongolia has a similarity optimum shape, surrounding a central fireplace. Eskimo igloo, yurt – mongolian nomad dwelling
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 23
6. Climatic themes
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 24
The most important climatic parameters heat, humidity, wind and light, and how these interact with man and the building. Obviously, it is difficult to describe these parameters individually. They appear in both the outdoor and indoor climate in a continual interplay. However, a detailed knowledge of how we and the building react to the individual climatic influence can open up for strong architectural detailed solutions, which functionally as well as aesthetically can give the building a richer expression. The parameters are made into climatic themes on the basis of how it appears in outdoor and indoor climate, and how it affects human comfort. Similarly it is described how the buildings is designed traditionally and currently to utilize, adapt to or protect it against climatic influences and which behavioral and technical options we have for controlling and optimizing both comfort and consumption. Heat – Temperature is the central factor in the experience of both outdoor and indoor climate. Thermal comfort affects the dimensioning when planning indoor climate. However, the temperature is highly influenced by two other important climate parameters: humidity and air movement. Both the parameters affect the thermal level and our experiences of hot and cold. The balance between heat addition and heat loss plays a significant role in relation to man’s comfort, the building’s energy consumption and the climate of the world. Humidity – The humidity of the outdoor climate in the form of rain or snow is not only a tangible climatic influence, but also in an architectural context a challenge and inspiration. The design and the expression of the façade often reflects – at times notably – efforts to protect against precipitation and drainage of water. The patina caused over time by water along with other climatic influences, also contribute to architectural expressions. Wind – The wind acts as both friend and foe – as a cooling breeze, appreciated in the summer heat, or as biting cold during winter storms. Buildings orientation and design can reduce the winds negative effects and Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 25
further the positive effects, e.g. by creating ventilation and keeping the structure sound. Light – Light is a prerequisite for a healthy, comfortable environment rich in experiences. In architectural terms, the challenge is to capture the character of the local light, designing apertures and surfaces so that light is utilized optimally, functionally and aesthetically, and to lower and enhance according to the need and desire.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 26
6.1 Hot and Cold
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 27
The term has gained a global topicality. The world’s heat balance is unstable and it has been established that the sun supplies more energy than the earth emits resulting in rising temperature and global warming. The balance between supply and emission of heat is also decisive at a smaller scale – at the level of the body and the building.
Both indoor and outdoor climatic conditions are to a great extent crucial to our health and personal energy levels. It is a known fact that you lose energy and initiative if the climatic conditions – and in particular the temperature – deviates a lot from the comfort level for a prolonged period of time. 6.1.1 The body’s heat balance: The body’s ability to maintain the thermal equilibrium around 37 degree Celsius is a fine balance between a number of internal and external conditions, the most important being the body’s assimilation of food, the body’s activity level and evaporation from the skin. The external conditions apart from air temperature are the radiation balance in relation to the surroundings, the body’s exchange of heat with the surroundings by conduction and the air’s humidity and movement. There are the factors that influence our well-being particularly at physiological level, but in terms of thermal comfort, the above mentioned are the most important. In order to consider the things that either supply us with heat and drain heat from us, the balance can be listed as follows:
Heat contribution - conversion of food, movement, radiation towards the body, conduction from the surroundings, convection (in) Heat emission - radiation from body, conduction towards the surrounding, convection (out), evaporation. The body is in a constant thermal interchange with the surroundings both outside and inside when it is protected by the building’s climate screen.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 28
6.1.2 The building’s heat balance: In the world of architecture and building physics, ‘the third skin’ has been known to be used as an allegory for the building’s climate screen and its climate controlling function. The climate screen is the overall external instrument for fulfillment of our comfort needs. It includes the walls, roof, floor and all the openings.
The climate screen task is primarily to shield us from adverse external climatic influences, but also to absorb and utilize the influences that may improve comfort. It is the double function which makes the building envelop such a challenge for architects. As this case with the body’s heat balance it is possible to analyze the building’s heat balance. The building primarily receives its heat contribution from solar heat, the earth’s heat and its own heat supply and the building emits its heat via heat conduction, radiation, convection and evaporation.
6.1.3 Reichstag, New German Parliament Architect: Foster + Partners The design utilises natural light as an architectural feature. Careful attention was paid to the sun's movement around the building and how this could be used to bring light into the space.The renovation project sought to bring light, and openness into the building. To accomplish this, a large dome shaped sky light was installed to help capture and reflect daylight deep within the structure. “I believed that if we were to introduce a symbolically resonant structure that would signal the changed use of the building then that structure should also be an integral part of the buildings ecology.”
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 29
The solar collector brings natural lighting into the heart of the building, whilst an automated solar shade protects against unwanted, direct solar gain. The main chamber of parliament is naturally ventilated via the cupola.
The building was designed to optimise the use of passive systems whilst minimising active systems. Both the artificial lighting and ventilation are controlled by a central BMS system and a heat exchanger recovers waste heat from the exhaust air.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 30
6.1.4 East Gate Development, Zimbabwe Architect: Mick Pearce The regulated year round with dramatically less energy consumption using design methods inspired by indigenous Zimbabwean masonry and the self-cooling mounds of African termites. “Who
would
have
guessed
that
the
replication of designs created by termites would not only provide for a sound climate control solution but also be the most costeffective way for humans to function in an otherwise challenging context?�
Termites
in
Zimbabwe
build
gigantic
mounds inside of which they farm a fungus that is their primary food source. The fungus must be kept at exactly 87 degrees F, while the temperatures outside range from 35 degrees F at night to 104 degrees F during the day. The termites achieve this remarkable feat by constantly opening and closing a series of heating and cooling vents throughout the mound over the course of the day. With a system of carefully adjusted convection currents, air is sucked in at the lower part of the mound, down into enclosures with muddy walls, and up through a channel to the peak of the termite mound. The industrious termites constantly dig new vents and plug up old ones in order to regulate the temperature. Air is continuously drawn from this open space by fans on the first floor. It is then pushed up vertical supply sections of ducts that Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 31
are located in the central spine of each of the two buildings. The fresh air replaces stale air that rises and exits through exhaust ports in the ceilings of each floor. Ultimately it enters the exhaust section of the vertical ducts before it is flushed out of the building through chimneys.
6.1.5 Cultural center for Greenland in Nuuk Inspired by Greenland’s dramatic scenery of icebergs, snowfields and mountains, the main element of the building is sheathed by a floating, undulating screen of golden larch wood. This second skin lends the scheme an elegant airiness, creating a contrast with the solid form of the core building. The screen acts as an architectural metaphor for the Northern Lights, whereas the dark and massive form of the main building is reminiscent of the icy mountains of Greenland.Daylight streams into the large foyer through roof lights and narrow oblong glass slits in the external screen.
The foyer serves as an indoor public piazza for the city and is divided into separate areas by three free-standing geometric structures housing the main facilities of the Cultural Centre.
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 32
6.2 Humidity and Precipitation
Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 33
The solar system’s living planet, the Earth, is called ‘the blue planet’ because of its unique atmosphere, which is related to the presence of water. Water is essential and we protect ourselves against it and use it, enjoy it, look at it, reflect ourselves in it, listen to it, smell it, use for daily purpose, for farming etc… Water is a fundamental aspect to consider in architecture, where houses have to be protected against its erosive and destructive forces. On the other hand, the fluid and reflecting character of water can be used as an inspiration for the design, construction and use of architecture.
The form, intensity, amount and temporal interval of precipitation depend on the general global climate systems, location within the Earth’s different climate belts and particular regional geographic circumstances.
6.2.1 Hydrodynamics Water forms part of an endless cycle in symbiotic relationship with the Earth’s rotation and an ever changing climate – experienced locally in nature as real weather or virtually on TV as a visualized global climate in fantastic satellite images of the Earth’s atmospheric patterns. From atmospheric space, cloud formations and front systems in constant change and movement across sea and land areas are readily observed and communicated using today’s advanced technologies.The word ‘hydrodynamics’ is composed of the two Greek words, hydro, meaning water, and dynamics, meaning force or display of energy, and it is the designation for the ‘the science of liquids in motion’. Water covers more than two thirds of the Earth’s surface, and the oceans help ensure a certain thermal stability or inertia in the earth’s heating and cooling. The majority of the global evaporation takes place from the surface of the oceans, and this water evaporation is also significant because, of its cooling effect would cause rapidly rising surface temperature and a warmer planet. Urban planning and architecture, in their small way, contributes towards the water cycle, and water should be handled with care. When it is not understood, Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 34
or when architects or engineers fail to design using natural systems, there may be chaos. As a climate changes, so too does the pattern and intensity of rainfall. Water is a precious resource and hydrodynamics need to be as well understood as the issue of energy in buildings.
6.2.2 Garden of fine arts museum Architect: Tadao Ando The promenade along the Kamo River in Kyoto is a homage to water. A series of paths and terraces from the pedestrian sidewalk, flanked with cherry trees, lead to a path next to the river. Every now and then you find yourself walking below bridges, next to promenades, decks, ramps or exits, which are accessible from the upper level of the grove. The road is always accompanied by the sound of water, whose discourse has been channeled through small dams that allow water to decrease its kinetic energy, lessening the risk of flooding and providing an amusing spectacle of small waterfalls along the river.
The program is relatively simple: it is a set of outdoor ramps, from which reproductions of works by Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Seurat, Renoir and Van Gogh, etc. can be seen. Along with these reproductions of European paintings made on ceramic tiles, there are some representations of Japanese Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 35
art from the Edo period (1603 to 1867).However, the architect's mastery lies in the unique journey offered to the viewer and the way space is unfolded to him. It is a common square: it is a set of ramps and bridges carved in the ground that transforms circulation in a 3D experience, providing always a different perception from any angle from which the space is observed.
6.2.3 Beyeler Art Museum Architect: Renzo piano Beyeler wanted the art to be lit entirely by natural light and the museum to be immersed in the surrounding greenery. Keeping Ernst Beyeler’s love of natural light in mind, special attention was given to the design of the roof: a veritable “machine for zenithal light.” The glass roof is made up of layers of glass that filter the direct sunlight softly (50%) into the interior and ensure the works of art are not damaged. It is held in place by a steel structure and features an overhanging canopy. Slanted, screen-printed plates of tempered glass placed at an angle over vertical steel box beams are set over insulating laminated safety glass.
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There is a second layer of glass 1.4m beneath the transparent roof, and it serves as an air chamber to counter the effects of outdoor temperature changes and facilitate maintenance. The adjustable slats that allow just the right amount of direct light to filter in, and the artificial lighting that compensates when it is dark outside, are located in this chamber. Under all of this is a velum: a structure consisting of boxed perforated plates inside which a layer of white fabric is stretched to ensure the uniform dispersion of light.
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6.3 Wind and Ventilation
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The rise in global temperatures and increase in levels of tropical storms has shown that there is a connection between the steadily growing man-made CO2 emission and changes in the Earth climate. The heat radiation of the Sun, the Earth’s rotation and the relation between sea and land areas are the decisive driving forces behind prevailing wind systems on each continent. Heating of the earth is greatest around the equator and less towards the poles. The great difference in global heating in combination with earth’s rotation creates a system of convection currents in the atmosphere, which constantly seek to counterbalance temperature and pressure differences. The global atmospheric systems and prevailing wind direction result in great regional differences in terms of wind load, wind direction, intensity and temperature. Geographical location, proximity to the sea or height differences bring about particular local or seasonal wind conditions, which can be read in the positioning and design of towns, just as local architecture may be designed on the basis of specific wind conditions. It may be vernacular building’s orientation and roof shape that protect against the weather or provide maximum wind exposure in order to achieve the cooling effect of the wind ensuring a comfortable indoor climate.
Local building culture holds important empirical knowledge of how architecture – by means of passive systems and limited resource use – can adapt to varied and sometimes extreme climatic conditions. These evolutionary passive climatic systems and design strategies can be developed further and combined with new technology for a modern-day resource-responsible architecture.
Today, many buildings facades are dominated by flat plane closed glass and metal surface, which presuppose artificially created indoor climates, based on extensive use of energy-demanding ventilation and climate systems. From a present-day point of view, the systems are expensive to install and operate; they pollute through CO2 emissions and are quickly outdated. In fact, Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 39
mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning is one of the fastest sources of obsolescenece in modern buildings. Buildings that are based on natural systems of climate control must conceptually be planned and managed accordingly, and this gives the façade new tasks as an interactive provider of air, light and heat in the critical transition between inside and outside.
6.3.1 Aerodynamics The aerodynamic nature of the wind and the relation between wind and building design has primarily been studied in the context of structural considerations. Aerodynamics have been explored particularly within the aviation, wind turbine and car automobile industry, but many of the aerodynamic principles and solutions that have been developed can also be applied in the world of architecture and with great potential in the field of architecture.
Aerodynamic is about airflow and forces that affects a body in a field of flow. Air resistance depends on an object’s cross-sectional area, shape and surface friction. When the wind moves across a shape or a building, a negative pressure or force occurs, which increases exponentially with the wind speed. When the wind speed around an aeroplane wing profile increases, the air is forced to flow quicker over the profile than under the profile. This creates the pressure difference that is the force that gives the aeroplane it lifts. These principles are used to increase the effectiveness of natural ventilation, especially in office and school buildings.
From the world of architecture, there are examples of how wind tunnel tests and simulations, calculations and IT visualization of wind data in and around buildings have led to new aerodynamic architecture design, for instance in the work of Future systems and Foster + Partners. Research and development in new composite materials, membranes and lightweight structures emerge and find their way into building structure and new dynamic façade screens.
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6.3.2 Swiss Re in London Architect: Foster + Partners Environmentally, its aerodynamic form encourages wind to flow around the building, minimizing load on the cladding and structure, reduces the amount of wind deflected to the ground compared with a rectilinear tower of similar size, helping to maintain pedestrian comfort at street level, and creates external pressure differentials that are exploited to drive a unique system of natural ventilation. The building’s appearance also reduces reflections and improves transparency and daylight penetration to the offices inside.
Among the building’s most distinctive features are its windows, which open to allow natural ventilation as well as the building is air-conditioned so that for up to 40 percent of the year many of the mechanical systems can be supplemented to reduce energy consumption. To facilitate this, fresh air is drawn through the light wells that spiral up through the building, while the aerodynamic form generates pressure differentials on the facade that assists the natural flow.
6.3.3 Torrent Power Research and Development Architect: Abhikram architects The design of the building facilitates generating an air draft, assuming still air conditions. The air heats up in the peripheral shafts, rises and escapes through the openings at the top. The air in this volume gets replaced from the usable Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 41
spaces,
which
in
turn
receives
its
own
replacement through the concourse area, on top of which the air inlets are located. The entering air is sprinkled with a fine spray of water mist at the inlet, during hot temperatures outside. This facilitates downdrafts. At each floor level, sets of hopper windows designed to catch the descending flow, can be used to divert some of this cooled air into the adjacent space. Having passed through the spaces, the air then exits via high level glass louvers openings which connect directly to the perimeter exhaust shafts towers that suck the air and create a circulation across the building insuring the displacement of fresh air along the day.
During the warm humid monsoon season when the use of the sprayed water would be inappropriate, the ceiling are brought into operation to provide additional air movement in the office and laboratories. In the cooler season the operating strategy is designed to control the ventilation, particularly at night, to minimize heat loss, this is done simply by the users adjusting the hopper windows and openings in their individual spaces to suit their requirements.
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Overall control of the solar heat gain is achieved by judicious design of the glazing. The fixed windows are the only decided quantum and shaded externally, not only in the horizontal plane by overhangs, but also in the vertical one by the air exhaust towers which project from the façade. The buildings are thermally massive -the reinforced concrete construction framed structure has cavity brick infill walls, plastered inside and out, and the hollow concrete blocks filling the roof coffers, also plastered inside with vermiculite used as an insulating material on both roof and walls. External surfaces are white, the walls painted, the roof using a china mosaic finish.
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6.4 Light and Shadow
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6.4.1 Yale University Architect: Louis I Khan Light is a prerequisite for our ability to see and experience the world around us. Light describe the surrounding on the basis of the variation of the light intensities that reach our eyes. Light and shadow tell us about form, materials, softness and hardness, lightness and weight. Designing buildings is to work with architectural form and light. To work with the light aperture is to design not only the room’s lighting, but its appearance and mood. The interior is the reverse side of the exterior and the place where the atmosphere and character of the room is formed; it is here that the qualities of light find their expression. The light aperture is not merely a communicator of exterior light but probably the most important element in the planning of a room’s visual environment. The façade works as a light filter, which controls incident light and determines the outward view by means of apertures.
This means that the façade that the façade’s aperture contributes to the creation of variations
in
light
and
shadow, so that the eye perceives details and colors, making
it
possible
to
recognize form and objects. Architectural
choices
are
often made in relation to the local light conditions, so that the façade not only creates the room behind but also
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constitutes an important element in the control of the room’s climate and light levels. “I sense Light as the giver of all presences, and material as spent Light. What is made by Light casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.” -Louis I Khan
Kahn´s archetypical forms go back to Greek architecture, which he studied in the 1950s: “Greek architecture taught me that the column is where the light is not, and the space between is where the light is. It is a matter of no-light, light, no-light, light. A column and a column brings light between them. To make a column which grows out of the wall and which makes its own rhythm of no-light, light, no-light, light: that is the marvel of the artist.” Climate’s role in Architectural design process | 46
However, light was also a central element in Kahn´s philosophy because he regarded it as a “giver of all presences”: “All material in nature, the mountains and the streams and the air and we, are made of Light which has been spent, and this crumpled mass called material casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.” For him, light is the maker of material, and material’s purpose is to cast a shadow.
6.4.2 Light and Architecture Light is an important part of the internal climate and prerequisite for many functions in the building. When the building body screens against the external climate, it also screens against daylight. Consequently, it is a balance between the external climatic conditions, the building’s screening an light filtering function and the light requirement that creates the specific visual environment in a building.
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Holl’s design solution was that the building would metaphorically work as a sponge. It would be a porous structure that would soak up light through a series of large openings that would cut into the building so that light would filter through in section. These breaks in section would then become main interactive spaces for the students, providing views onto different levels. In his original drawings, Holl referred to these breaks as the building’s “lungs” as they would bring natural light down while circulating air up. The model at the bottom was an early model depicting the sponge or porous concept idea behind Simmons Hall’s design. The porous parts of the building serve as atria to allow ventilation to flow up through the building and to serve as a common area for students to gather. Shown here are two atria within the building.
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Conclusion The architectural elements unfold themselves to the world when they are responsive to the elements like heat, cold, light, wind, humidity and precipitation. From the above case studies discussed we could find the process of each and every climatic feature is incorporated in the process and developed into an architectural marvel.
The design process of architecture makes the intangible quality of the built to evolve along with the climate and weather, and the tangible quality is incorporated with elements of architecture. This shows that the concept stage has dealt with the intangibles and the construction process has looked into the tangibles like human comfort, durability of the structure and even resistant towards the adverse effects of climate.
Generally, climate’s role in architectural design and building construction is of importance in respect to looking at the past climate with the goal of building design and forecasting weather condition in the future to adjust civil operations. Looking at the past climate, the outcome of all climate factors must be taken into account and focusing on only one or two climate factors is by no means enough for all factors are significant though they have different weights.
The potentials of climatic characteristics on architecture can vary and only be known by understanding its process on how well it is been integrated with the context.
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Bibliography 1. Climate and architecture – Torban Dahl 2. Energy efficient buildings in India – TERI 3. Conceptual to the Manifest - Kulbhushan Jain 4. Archdaily.com 5. Dezeen.com 6. Wikipedia.com 7. http://archidev.org/IMG/pdf/Post_Occupancy_Evaluation_of_TRC_Paper_by_Thomas_Baird.pdf 8. http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/ 9. http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/commerzbank-headquarters/ 10. http://www.arcspace.com/features/tadao-ando/garden-of-fine-arts/ 11. http://shl.dk/eng/about-architecture/katuaq-culture-centre-of-greenland 12. http://www.beechwoodlandscape.com/images/Design%20Process_noba ck_large 13. http://www.beechwoodlandscape.com/images/Design%20Process_noba ck_large.jpg
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