Climate Specific Effective Building Design
Climate Specific Effective Building Design
This is a climate-specific design for a house in hot, humid and temperate. Here’s a breakdown of the design features for each climate:
Hot and Humid
- Maximize overhangs and shading: The house has large overhangs that extend out from the roof. This helps to shade the windows and walls from direct sunlight, which can help to keep the house cooler.
- High ceilings: Having high ceilings can help to create a feeling of spaciousness and improve air circulation.
- Light materials and light exterior finishes: The text mentions using light materials for construction and exterior finishes. This can help to reflect heat rather than absorb it.
- Maximize openings for cross ventilation: The house has windows and doors on opposite sides to allow for cross-ventilation. This can help to bring cool breezes into the house and remove hot air.
Temperate
- Medium exterior finishes: Using medium exterior finishes for temperate climates. This strikes a balance between reflecting and absorbing heat, depending on the season.
- Maximize shading to the west: The house should be designed to shade the west side from the afternoon sun. This can help to keep the house cooler in the summer.
Overall, this design uses passive design strategies to create a comfortable living environment in both hot, humid and temperate climates. Passive design uses natural elements like sunlight, wind, and shade to heat and cool a building, reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems.