Climate Responsive Design

Climate responsive design is related to the specific regional macro and

microclimate of a building and has a crucial effect on the energy demand for the
climate control of a building. The main principles for climate responsive design
are passive cooling and passive heating (also as passive solar utilization),
which should be applied on the building design process according to the specific
climate and global position.
Climate zones and structural requirements
The main climate zones and their distinctive features are generally simplified
classified in 4 main zones:
- Hot and humid climate zones
- Hot and dry climate zones
- Temperate climate zones
- Cold climate zones

1.)Hot and Humid Climate Zones

The hot and humid climate zones are predominantly located near the
equator. Regions belonging to it are for example large areas of South and South
East Asia, South and Middle America as well as Central Africa. The monsoon
climate zones of South Asia and North Australia may here be also included
because the requirements for the conception of buildings of the partly similar in
these regions.
The dominant climate factors of hot and humid climate zones are:
- High relative humidity (60 100%)

- High average rainfall (1200mm to 2000mm per year, upper extremity to

5000mm per year
- Smooth temperature pattern (average varieties are only approx. 7K per day and
5K per year)
- Highest air temperature during the day is approx. 30C (86F) in annual
average
- Lowest air temperature during the night is approx. 25C (77F) in annual
average
- High clouds frequency and therefore high percentage of diffuse radiation
(indirect sunlight)
- At cloudless skies high percentage of direct radiation, but mostly moderated by
clouds
- Low air pressure
- Generally only small airflows, but squalls may appear during rainfalls
- Regional occurrences of tropic cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes)
Map of hot and humid (tropical)
climate zones (a)
a tropical climate.

Typical house shape in

Building materials, which can absorb moisture, may be affected by premature

aging or corrosion, caused by mould or the frequent change of solar radiation
and rainfalls, causing swelling and shrinkage. The heavy rainfalls followed by
storms are raising problems according the buildings themselves as well as for the
surrounding outside facilities. The basic conditions for the construction of climate
responsive buildings in hot and humid climate zones are:
- Relief for the human organism of the unfavorable influences of heat and
humidity (mugginess) by the utilization of airflow, to support the heat dissipation
by perspiration (skin evaporation).
- Protection of buildings and components from direct solar radiation and
undesired heat storage by shading, building shape and orientation
- Protection of components from permanent moisture penetration by well
controlled rainwater drainage and ventilation
Typical pile dwelling in the
warm and humid climate of Paraguay.
Multi-storey buildings with big
windows and steep roofs in the monsoon climate
of the east African islands (e.g.: Lamu and Zanzibar).

During the planning and design of a climate responsive building for humid
regions the utilisation of airflow to reduce the impacts of heat and humidity on
humans, buildings and goods, should always be incorporated. The orientation of
the longitudinal axis of a structure cross to the prevailing wind direction and with
a short building depth, can significantly improve the room climate. An effective
utilisation of the natural airflows can be achieved e.g. by the following measures:
- Cross ventilation by layout of vents on opposed sides of a building
- Short building or room depth in direction of aeration
- Orientation of aeration inlets in direction of the prevailing wind direction
- Shading of the outside building surfaces in the area of aeration inlets
- Avoidance of aeration barriers inside of buildings
- Utilisation of air buoyancy (chimney effect) for heat removal
- Arrangement of air conducting elements outside of buildings, e.g. walls, hedges
and trees
- Elevation of buildings- Insertion of open air storeys in multi storeys buildings
The traditional construction types in hot and humid climates, with
generally high are featured by wide, cladding protecting roof overhangs, which
may also be climate responsive solutions for modern buildings. For a climate
responsive implementation planning, the
utilisation of airflows in hot-humid regions is an essential advantage.
Concerning this the protection of the building envelope from direct sun radiation
and related warming as well as utilisation of appropriate constructions and
materials is crucial.

Optimal ventilated building of

churches in the hot and humid climate of
Tanzania, with wide roof overhangs and shorter,
closed east and west facades against low sun in
the morning and afternoon.

The heat charge of a building can be minimised by utilisation of components,

which are ventilated on all part. Therefore well rear-ventilated wall structures and
multilayered roof constructions are especially appropriate for hot and humid
climates. If they are additionally constructed out of light building materials with a
low heat capacity, a fast evacuation of the absorbed heat by airflow is
warranted.

An administration building in
tropical Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, with individual
adjustable lamellae functioning as shading

elements, vertical orientated at the east and west

facades, horizontal orientated at the north faade
and no lamellae at the south faade due to the
location on the southern hemisphere. Big
openings in the faade and multi storied air
spaces allow a natural ventilation of the rooms
through shaded and partly greened terrace areas.

Two climate
responsive buildings in the tropical
climate of Takoradi, Ghana, viewed
from west. The left building is
protected against the sun by
horizontal vertical orientated shading
elements integrated in a well
ventilated structure in front of the
building envelope and the spatial
structure. The building on the right
side is well protected against
radiation from the south but has no
fixed shading elements against low
sun in the west. In case of sunshine
there are rollers installed (visible at
the first floor under the roof) which
can be temporarily used to shade the
openings.

Almost all cyclones are accompanied by heavy rainfalls, which may often
lead to significant consequential damages, caused by flooding and undermining.
Therefore all components have to be careful protected against strong pressure and suction forces. Also the whole building structure has to be anchored well
with the foundations to which is of imminently importance concerning the
resistance of light building structures against the wind forces. The foundations
itself have to have a sufficient depth and have eventually be protected against
undermining by ring-drainages. For all building openings the application of
guards are sense full, which can be closed in case of early storm warnings.
West terraces and
windows of Japanese apartment
buildings well protected against high
sun by roof overhangs and low sun
with flexible but not building
integrated bamboo mats, during
summer.

2.) Arid Climate Zones

All deserts and semi-deserts as well as the predominantly dry steppe
areas, which are also expressed semi-arid regions, belong to the dry and hot or
arid climate zones. In these zones are located the countries of the Sahara, the

near- and middle-east, the south-west countries of Africa and South America, the
inner regions of Australia, India, central China, as well as the dry regions of
northern Mexico and the south-western USA.
The dominant climate factors of arid climate zones are:
- Low relative humidity (10 50%)
- Very low average rainfall (0 250mm per year), rainfall may appear but with
high rainfall for short term
- High variations in temperature (average varieties are approx. 20K per day)
- Highest air temperatures during the day are approx. 35 38 C (95 100.4 F) in
annual average. In continental desert areas they may reach more than
50 C (122 F)
- Lowest air temperatures during the night are approx. 16 20 C (60.80 68F) in
annual average. Temperatures around 0 C (32 F) may appear.
- Low cloud frequency, mostly clear sky, temporarily high dust portion in the air
- Intensive direct solar radiation
- High air pressure
- Varying airflows, sometimes very strong, in deserts as sand- or dust-storms

Map of arid and hot climate

zones (b).
Typical house shape in an arid
and hot climate.

The effects of the high day temperatures in arid climate zones on the
human organism are moderated by the relatively low humidity, which disburdens
the evaporation on the skin, which is crucial for the cooling of the body. The
temperatures during the day are in most cases higher than the temperature of
the human body. Therefore airflows can be utilised only during the evenings,
nights or cooler seasons for the improvement of the microclimate or the room
climate. For perishable products or goods sensible to heat, the high
temperatures are a particular burden, which can be generally only moderated by
artificial assisted climate control. Building materials and parts are unfavourably
affected, particularly by the direct solar radiation and the high short-term
temperature variations, which can lead to a remarkable building damages and
the reduction of buildings life phases.

Compact and closed buildings

with minimised window openings and thick
massive walls out of earth for big phase shift and
amplitude attenuation in the hot and dry climate
of Morocco (e.g. with cold nights, dependent on
the elevation above sea level).

Narrow shaded alleys and

courtyards in the desert architecture of Algeria
reduce solar radiation absorbance of buildings
and occupants. The platform roofs do function as
sleeping places during the hottest season.

Illustration of a
traditional building type in Arab
countries with a wind catcher (or
scoop), low tech evaporative
cooling device (evaporative
cooling) and a double layered
roof.

Double layered roofs at a Hotel

building in Morocco. The white plastered outside
layer functions as a well ventilated solar radiation
reflector.

3.) Temperate Climate Zones

The temperate climate zones are attached to the tropics to the north and to the
south.
Belonging to it are the countries of middle and South Europe, southern South
America, the most regions of the USA, southern Russia and China, Korea, Japan,
New Zealand, on the east and south coast of Australia as well as some areas in
southernmost Africa.
In contrast to the previous described climate zones, the temperate climate zones
are featured by distinctive seasons, which are characterized by high varieties in
temperature between summer and winter. This is the main similarity between

the countries located in temperate climate zones. In other respects there are
significant variations between the climatic conditions of single regions,
dependent on their continental location or special influences from close-by huge
water bodies or particular ocean-currents (e.g. Gulf Stream).
Map of temperate climate zones
(c).
Typical house shape in temperate
climate.

Due to the very different basic constructional requirements in the specific

countries in temperate climate zones, the climate responsive construction in
these zones requires a special empathy and recognition of the respective
regional characteristics. The traditional construction types are noticeable
demonstrating this. The prior basic conditions for the construction of climate
responsive buildings in temperate climate zones are:
- Protection from wintery cold
- Protection from summery heat
- The necessary protection from occasional and in some regions frequent
precipitation.
The most buildings in these climate zones have to unify all mentioned
protective functions. Thereby the application of technical equipment is
commonly inevitable.
The coherence between climate responsive and energy-conscious executions is
eminently intensive in these as well as in cold climate zones due to the regular
high energy demand for heating and cooling purpose. By right conception of
settlements and buildings the energy demand for wintery heating can be
reduced by the utilisation of solar radiation. The energy demand for summery
cooling can be reduced by screening this radiation.

Architecture on the Greek

islands with compact buildings, narrow shady
alleys, small windows and flat roofs, which are
functioning as rainwater collectors for cisterns in
an almost dry, so called Mediterranean winter dryzone..

The buildings in the Tuscan

city Siena in Italy have sloped roofs, because the
winter rain is more copious than on above
mentioned Greek islands, but narrow shady alleys
and compact buildings protect against the same
main climatic problem, the summer heat.

South facades of houses in the

Umbrian city Perugia in northern Italy with
sloped roofs and relatively big windows to catch
the winter sun and well protected against the
summer sun by movable shutters.

Arcade Corridor on the south

side of a building in Venice, Italy. A comfortable
site during low winter sun with warmed walls in
the back and the sun in the face, while
comfortable shady and cool during high summer
sun.

Old timbered farm house in the

costal area of North Western Germany with low
and sloped straw roof well protected against
strong winds and rain. View from North West the
main weather-side.

Old fisher house in the costal

area of Western Scotland with natural stone walls
and sloped straw roof well protected against
strong winds and rain. View to North West the
main weather-side.

Old fisher
house in the costal area of Jeju
Island in South-Korea with
natural stone walls and sloped
straw roof well protected against
strong winds and rain. The big
opening in the south faade
allows comfortable ventilation
and shading during the warm
summer, allows passive solar
utilisation during the winter and
can be closed during cold nights
and strong winds. View from the
south west.

An important component for the heat insulation is also the impermeability

of splices of the building envelope and all building apertures, which can reduce
significantly the required energy demand for heating during winter and possibly
also for cooling during summer. Due to the often strong winds in some countries
during the transitional periods and the cold seasons, in case of leakage
implementation of splices the related heat losses are increasing substantial.
Eminently sensible are additional moving apparatuses out of heat insulating
materials, to close not required vents (e.g. windows during the night or off the
utilisation period of a building). Such a kind of apparatuses like retractable, slide
or roller shutters do reduce the heat losses of the whole building apertures
including the splices.
Particular climate occurrences which require special considerations during the
implementation planning in some areas are, extreme amounts of precipitation (regarding roofing and
drainage), big snow loads (location of building apertures and load assumptions), summery tornados or
typhoons and wintery blizzards which can turn the climate conditions of a temperate climate zone into
the extreme condition of cold climate zones.

4.) The Cold Climate Zones

The cold climate zones are attached to the temperate climate zones in
direction of the poles. Except the Antarctic, all countries of the cold climate
zones are located on the northern hemisphere. Countries belonging to are
Canada, Alaska, northern states of the USA, Greenland, Island as well as parts of
Scandinavia, the Baltic States and
Russia. Compared with the temperate climate zones the cold climate zones are
even more
characterised by distinctive seasons. The dominant factors of cold climates are:
- Low relative humidity, especially during the winter months
- Low rainfall (only approx. 250mm/a in the fringe area to the arctic zone)
- Low temperatures in annual average (0 6C, or 32 42.8F)
- Long-lasting frost periods (5 to 9 months), in part permafrost in the low lying
support-layers

- Low variations in temperature over the day (due to long brightness in summer
and long-lasting darkness in winter)
- High annual variations in temperature in continental areas (Siberia 45 60K)
- Low to middle annual variations in temperature in coastal areas or areas
influenced by the sea (Island and Norway 11 to 15K)
Map of cold climate zones (d).

Map of polar climate zones (e).

The survival of people in cold climate zones is dependent on intensive

protection measures due to the harsh climate conditions. The main burden for
the human organism is the low temperature. The co action of humidity from
rainfall and frost can have negative impacts on the building substance and cause
damages. In the framework of this monograph the highland and the polar
climates which are own classifications according to Koeppen will be described
within this chapter. The construction of buildings in the Antarctica is confined to
exceptional cases. The only difference between the virtual unsettled south-polar
area and the cold climate zones on the northern hemisphere is the opposite
orientation of the housing estates and buildings to the points of the compass.

Map of highland
climate zones (f), with
differentiated description of the
specific properties.

The orientation of a building has to be designed, dependent on the main

directions of cold winds and preferably big cladding parts to the south. The
cooperation of climate responsive shape and orientation of a building has e.g. led
to the characteristic residential building type in the predominantly cool states of
New England in the north-east of the USA. That building type, also referred to as
saltbox, has a big low lying wind resistant roof with big on the northern wind
exposed side. On the southern side it is equipped only with a short roof surface
in combination with a high sun exposed outside wall. During the winter timber,

straw balls or snow is piled up at the low northern wall under the roof overhang
for additional insulation. This technique is common also at traditional buildings in
other cold regions.
A house in the Swiss Alps with
low roof at the northern side and insulating snow
mass.

The South facade of a school in

the Swiss Alps with thick insulated walls and big
insulated windows for the utilisation of the winter
sun. During the summer hidden rollers (Visible
on top of the window openings) can be pulled
down to shade the openings. The construction is a
contemporary timber construction orientated at
traditional building design. in the Swiss Alps
with low roof at the northern side and insulating
snow mass.

An intensive protection from intruding moisture is necessary on all

components, above all on the roofing. The more flat the slope is designed, the
bigger is the problem of backwater during snow and ice cover or upwards driven
water during wind especially on wind ward parts. Beneath carefully implemented
roof coverings itself, additional screens fixed below the roofing are today and
common and necessary. The impermeability of splices of the building envelope
and particularly of the doors and windows, which are contributing much to the
reduction of heat losses, has been already discussed in the context of temperate
climate zones. Hence it has naturally a very positive effect in cold zones .

Mindanao State University

Fatima, General Santos City
_________________________________________________________

College of Engineering
_________________________________________________________

General Thermodynamics ME 121

CE
_________________________________________________________

Second Semester
School Year 2015-2016
Tuesday & Friday 1:00-2:30 pm
_________________________________________________________

Requirements
Climate Responsive Design
_________________________________________________________

Kevin Erl V. Diana

2013-0506
Dadula, Danilo
ME 121 Lecturer