Climate – The Architecture Gazette

“The harmony of natural law reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.”

-Albert Einstein

Contemplating this powerful quote by Einstein could send chills down your spine. Our insignificance in the face of Nature’s power, begs us to show more humility. Nature doesn’t fear our walls, and everyday Climate related calamities should teach us better. It is ultimately in all of our favor, to Build with Nature, instead of withstanding it!

Following this chain of thought, today we look at Integration of Built with Water. Such a synergy with Water has positive effects on Micro-Climate and Energy Loads.

However, insects can be attracted to areas of vegetation and water. While all insects are not harmful they may not always be welcome in an urban setting.

Let’s look at some ways to address this issue-

1) Deeper water could prevent mosquitoes, since larvae prefer shallow water bodies of less than 2 feet

2) Natural pest Predators like Dragonflies are garden heroes

3) Select Plant Species that repel pests – Lavender, Citronella Grass, Marigolds

Natural Ventilation

Why ?
What needs to be done and effects ?
How ?
Factors important for Natural Ventilation

Natural Ventilation

Why it is needed ?

Buildings account for 33% of the total electricity consumption in India. (Domestic 24%, Commercial 9%)¹. Of this, HVAC is one of the highest loads accounting for almost 50-60%².

What needs to be done and effects ?

Our effort should be to reduce the need for Air-conditioning, to help reduce energy loads. Less AC use or using air-conditioning at higher setpoints, could result in saving energy. In Residential scenarios for example, after 22^oC, every 1^oC higher set point equals 3-5% less energy use³.

How ?

Through design, planning, passive strategies like Natural Ventilation, integration with greens and water, we can increase thermal comfort. Thus people will want to use less air-conditioning and this will result in energy use reduction.

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Factors important for Natural Ventilation

(i) Climate

Climate is one of the chief factors determining the feasibility of Natural Ventilation. For example, Natural Ventilation is quite effective in Moderate climates and it may provide considerable relief in Hot and Humid conditions⁴. However, it could bring discomfort and dust in Hot and Dry Climates. Cold Climates also need protection from chilling exterior winds and might need enclosed conditions.

(ii) Wind direction

The wind direction determines design and viability of Natural Ventilation. Wind rose diagrams are used to understand prevailing directions, frequency, speed and other factors related to wind conditions in any particular area.

(iii) Thermal Comfort and Perception

Thermal Comfort is a complex, often subjective issue determined by multiple factors. Before the advent of AC, buildings were designed according to climate and context. People enjoyed the benefits of fresh air. Now, many occupants prefer fully air conditioned spaces since they have become used to such an environment. There might be instances when the AC is too cold for comfort, but this has become the norm. Enclosed buildings behave like greenhouses², which then need air-conditioning to cool them down. So, the need is not only to improve thermal comfort , but also address people’s perception related to it. To address this complex issue, we could look at the following solutions.

Solution 1 | Custom Thermal Comfort Models – Countries could develop customized thermal comfort guidelines for Design. An example is the ‘Indian Adaptive Comfort Model’ developed by CEPT university. This is part of the GRIHA manual⁵ and is adapted to Indian local conditions. For example, it provides Indoor Operative temperature values for all cities in India. These are setpoints which are required as per standards to achieve thermal comfort. They are to be monitored during the operation of the building. These models could help optimize setpoints and engage in better AC design.

Solution 2 | Hybrid systems – DPR Office in Phoenix, Arizona uses a hybrid cooling system. They have special High Velocity Low Speed (HVLS) fans and operable windows. Cooling is provided by moist air through Shower Towers on the facade. There is also a Solar Chimney exhausting warm air. Only when the conditions are too extreme, they switch on the air-conditioning⁶. A hybrid cooling system is also being designed for the new School of Design and Environment building NZEB in the National University of Singapore⁷. The NZEB at CEPT University is planning to utilize optimized natural ventilation coupled with a radiant cooling system².

Solution 3 | Common areas could be Naturally Ventilated, (fully or partially) for starters. Since occupants spend lesser time in spaces like corridors, washrooms, lobbies, parking – such efforts might help the acclimatization process. An example can be seen in ParkRoyal Hotel @ Pickering.

(iv) Pollution and Location

Natural Ventilation may not be possible if the outside air is polluted. Pollution could be due to traffic, dust from a construction site or other harmful substances, such as emissions from a factory.

Solution 1 | Location – Sensitive functions like schools or hospitals would ideally be located away from such areas.

Solution 2 | Natural Filters/ Barriers – If this is not possible, window opening design could be clubbed with strategies like Vegetation or Earth mounds, to act as noise barriers or to filter pollution.

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That’s all for today. We hope you enjoyed reading the article!

Next week we look at Passive Strategies: Natural Ventilation (b) in which we cover Strategies and related Issues of Natural Ventilation.

For now we leave you with these questions.

Do you know of other Commercial or large projects that are using Passive Strategies?

What do you think of the Passive Strategies mentioned above? Can you spot further practical issues that might arise?

Please share your Sustainability knowledge and experience. Our search for answers continues…..

See you next week.

References

Rakheja A. Case Study EcoCommercial Building, Noida, India – Adapting To Climate. High Perform Build. 2013:44-52. https://bit.ly/2O4lt8H.
USAID India. Net Zero Energy Buildings Initiative.; 2011. https://bit.ly/2N2rQNy. Accessed September 9, 2018.
Majumdar M. Sustainable Habitats: Cooling homes…heated pockets. The Economic Times Blogs. https://bit.ly/2wY4wGz. Published 2013.
BEE, USAID, PACE-D. Knowledge Centre – Natural Ventilation. NZEB. https://bit.ly/2QhxxoD. Accessed September 9, 2018.
GRIHA, TERI. GRIHA V-2015.; 2015. http://www.grihaindia.org/files/GRIHA_V2015_May2016.pdf. Accessed September 9, 2018.
GreenCE. Aggressively Passive: Confronting the Comfort Status Quo. https://www.greence.com/Free_Courses/aggressively-passive. Accessed September 9, 2018.
NUS S. NUS breaks ground on its first Net-Zero Energy Building today! https://bit.ly/2CBLknq. Published 2016. Accessed September 9, 2018.

Tag: Climate

Building with Nature

“The harmony of natural law reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.”

-Albert Einstein