Bioclimatic Architecture: Housing and Sustainability
Bioclimatic Architecture: Housing and Sustainability
Bioclimatic Architecture: Housing and Sustainability
org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
184
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
185
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
temperature within interior spaces, which would have a negative impact on the comfort of the building and
increase heat dissipation; the ideal spatial design results in an exemplary interrelationship with the layout of the
building’s external enclosure (Hatkness, 1984).
Figure 8. Impact of solar radiation and wind speed and direction on the temperature
The urban planning of the old cities illustrates how architects, in hot climate zones, maintained the correlated
effect between architectural and urban spaces, the direction of circulation axes and their distribution, and created
an environmental equilibrium and positive effectiveness on the overall living conditions within old cities as
shown in figure 3.
While in extreme cold climate zones, large glass facades should be placed towards south as shown in Figure 4 –
small openings has been a characteristic of architecture in hot climate zones throughout history- a model space
design would attempt to allocate spaces used in daytime towards south, while staircase and other facilities would
be face other directions. As regards to summer time conditions, the perforation of direct solar radiation through
glass facades should be avoided; however, these facades should have the ability to open and be protected from
direct sunlight by the use of both fixed and operating louvers, which perform as shadow in times of high
temperature and solar radiation. The design of open spaces “their forms, dimensions and position” should allow
for ventilation and cooling all rooms during nighttime, while the building’s elevation that faces north should be
partially inserted in soil, and the foundations should go to a certain depth according to available conditions, as
shown in figure 4. By applying this system, living conditions will improve in both winter and summer according
to the well-balanced temperature of the soil, and will protect the building from the cold, harsh winter wind.
186
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
Figure 10. Example of large opening and façade insertion within soil
Energy problems develop from the difference in temperature between the architectural spaces, and it is the
architect’s responsibility to overcome these problems to create a state of comfort between individuals and their
surroundings; the more the difference between spaces is, the harder the architect’s job is. An architect’s decision
to use technical units, in other words neglect the studies of climate conditions and relationship between the
building and the surrounding will result in more consumption of energy. Hence, the climate aspects of the
building location must be identified accurately for an ideal town planning, which should correlate to the
surrounding environment. Generally, the monthly average rate of the various temperature values in a specific
region can set out the value of the temperature. The variables of temperature rates are taken as highest and
lowest points monthly, and are used periodically to determine thermal absorption and dispersion, hence decide
on architectural solutions for insulation such as Trombe walls.
Furthermore, indicating the value of humidity is very important as it directly affects the temperature of
residential and public buildings, as well as indicating the possibility of thermal exchange, as shown in Figure 5.
187
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
3. Examples of the ideal utilization of climate aspects and their impact on the architectural decision-
making by experience and climate analysis technology
3.1 Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, United States.
Mesa Verde, Spanish for “green table” was founded in 1200 AD to protect some cliff dwellings, and considered
as the ideal example of utilizing nature for survival and exemplary living conditions. Since it is located in a
horizontal slit, and towards the south, it is fully protected from direct sunlight during summer, and subjected to
the maximum amount of solar radiation in winter. Additionally, the surrounding rock may have its own inertia
considering its major mass, which results in creating excellent, consistent living conditions throughout the year.
The harmony between the structures and the surrounding rocks “the cave” collects solar energy “56% more
energy in winter than summer”. During sunset, the location is covered by sunlight, and solar energy is retained in
both rocks and building bricks, which then spread steadily throughout the inhabited inside are after sunset. As a
result, a model confined climate state is established which provides sustained and comfortable living conditions,
instead of the harsh nature of the weather in such areas, where winter is extremely frosty while summer is
sweltering. Figure 7.
188
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
189
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
190
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
191
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
4. Proposed table to address the climatic difficulties and recommendations for a sustainable residential
architecture
Using climate charts and tables when to make urban and architecture decisions.
Climate tables and charts are considered an intelligible, solid tool to collect, calculate and analyze climate data of
a location and provide architectural and urban design solution to achieve ideal living conditions that suit people’s
lifestyle (AlSuliman, 2009).The main table structure.
The table, Figure 14, consists of three horizontal sections that have information relating to specified time
intervals throughout the year, while the vertical sections include the following:
1) Information about the conditions of the surrounding outside environment, illustrated through four elements:
the average temperature, relative humidity rate, wind direction and speed, and solar radiation. This information is
clear and can be used for each horizontal section separately.
2) Suggestions to overcome the various environmental difficulties and create ideal living conditions. These
suggestions lead to more valuable architectural designs.
3) Propose urban and architectural solutions.
The following are two proposed tables that demonstrate all the information mentioned above for two Syrian
cities: Lattakia and Aleppo, which have different and distinct environmental conditions.
192
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
Figure 20. Table that shows the architectural solutions to environmental conditions in two cities in Syria
Recommendations for a sustainable residential architecture:
1) Encouraging direct contact between Buildings and natural land “soil”, and placing them at least one meter
below ground level for best use of air currents of the appropriate direction of wind. Also, providing buildings
with artificial water bodies at the hot climate zones, so that we can control the rate of relative humidity and wind
flow according to the desired results.
2) Installing sun breakers on east and south elevations to protect from solar radiation in summer. Also,
developing sun breakers to act as an energy source by installing solar cells on the external parameter “east, south
east, and west”.
3) Making use of the wind catchers by installing electric units “turbines” to generate electricity within buildings’
interiors, which provides the building with the power needed to operate electric devices.
4) Providing buildings’ wind catchers with solar-operating heaters for best use of the airflow that is transmitted
into the interiors, hence heating buildings without the need for electric units and achieving ideal living conditions,
which saves power and energy.
Other recommendations that have been discussed within other research papers, and have proven to work in favor
of Sustainability and Green Architecture:
1) Installing Trombe walls on parts of the south elevation to allow direct thermal exchange between the interior
spaces and the exterior surroundings and control it through different seasons, as shown in Figure 15
193
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
Figure 23. The ideal use of natural conditions to reduce energy consumption
5. Conclusion
Good use of natural and environmental materials and architectural heritage for each region separately has a
dramatic influence on the comfort level of living conditions in modern buildings. Modern architects should
advocate sustainable architecture through environmental awareness and the ideal use of available natural
resources to reduce the consumption of power, which leads to the reduction of carbon dioxide in the occupied
architectural spaces. The implementation of sustainability in architectural and urban design through the use of
climate and surrounding environment conditions without compromising the building’s functions leads to increase
in energy conservation. The building then becomes self-sustained, and it can also act as an additional energy
194
Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online)
Vol.4, No.22, 2014
References
Grondin, D. (1959). “Architecture and climate”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 79-86.
Fersonov, F. M, (1982). “Architectural Engineering in Hot Climate”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 158-173.
Hatkness, E, Wicha, M. (1984). “Solar radiation control in buildings”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 42-53.
Gosiev, N. M, (1985). “Calculation of solar radiation”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 94-103.
Bonin, A. B, (1981). “Urban Planning and Housing”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 133-139
Prakhin, A. M (1979). “Architecture collection”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 51-64
Putsavage, K, (2001). “Mesa Verde Style Mugs: An Analysis of Domestic and Ritual Functions”, Colorado:
University of Maryland, Pages 26-39
Girsberger, W,Girsberger, H, (1986). “The Complete works of Le Corbusier 1910-65”, Zurich: Artemis
Publishers, Pages 86-94
Vytorin, M, (1984). “Modern architecture history”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, Pages 211-223.
Edkin, U, “On becoming an Architect”, Moscow: Mir Publishers, 1976., Pages 47-52.
AlSuliman, A,(2009). “Bioclimate architecture”,Damascus: Al Shahba Publishers, Pages 37-44
The American Institute of Architects (2007, April 23). Z6 House. The American Institute of Architects. Retrived
January 12, 2014, from http://www2.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=851
Kantlis, G, (1971). “Building physics fundamentals”, Sydney: HarperCollins Publishers, Pages 63-68.
195
The IISTE is a pioneer in the Open-Access hosting service and academic event management.
The aim of the firm is Accelerating Global Knowledge Sharing.
There are more than 30 peer-reviewed academic journals hosted under the hosting platform.
Prospective authors of journals can find the submission instruction on the following
page: http://www.iiste.org/journals/ All the journals articles are available online to the
readers all over the world without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those
inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself. Paper version of the journals is also
available upon request of readers and authors.
MORE RESOURCES