Tropical Architecture

TROPICAL architecture is all about tackling the heat island effect.

Many confuse the term tropical architecture with a
particular design style. In reality, tropical
architecture is all about achieving thermal comfort
through the use of passive design elements like
sunshades, cavity walls, light shelves, overhangs,
roof and wall insulation and even shading from large
trees to block the sun. It can look very traditional,
ultramodern or even high-tech.
Passive design is the process of achieving this
comfort level without the use of mechanical
systems. Tropical architecture is all about tackling
urban heat island effect.
So what exactly is the heat island effect?
This phenomenon is what results from cities that
have very little greenery and very many concrete surfaces. The city will have 2 to 3 degrees Celsius
higher temperature than that of the surrounding suburbs and countryside. Figuratively, it forms an island
of hotter land, while being surrounded by cooler land in the city outskirts.
Dark-colored roofs add to the heat island effect. Some of the heat absorbed by dark-colored roofs is
transmitted to the room or space below.

Basic design principles
For the Philippines, having a warm humid climate, there are a few basic design principles regarding
natural ventilation to cool a home or a building.
The external features of the building envelope and its relation to the site should be designed to fully utilize
air movement. Interior partitions should not block air movements.
Air velocity can be reduced when the interior walls are placed close to the inlet opening or each time it is
diverted around obstructions.
If interior walls are unavoidable, air flow can still be ensured if the partitions have openings at the lower
and upper portions. This is a common strategy in the old Filipino bahay na bato, with its transom panels
covered with intricate wood carvings or wood louvers.
Maximize window openings for cross ventilation of internal spaces. Vents in the roof cavity can also be
very effective in drawing out heat from the room interiors.
Since hot air goes upward, and cool air goes downward, openings at the top of staircases and in
clerestory windows facilitate air change.
It is generally cooler at night, so ventilation of internal spaces can be continuous for nighttime cooling.
This means designing the building with operable windows to let hot air escape at night and to capture
prevailing night winds.
To supplement natural ventilation, fans can be placed at various heights and areas to increase comfort
conditions. Fans are effective in generating internal air movement, improve air distribution and increase
air velocities.
Window openings are advisable at the body level for evaporative human body cooling. And room width
should not exceed five times ceiling height for good air movement.
Sunshades and sun protection devices on openings reduce heat gain and glare, and also help in internal
daylighting. Louvres that are adjustable can alter the direction of air flow and lighting.
Asian houses have big roof overhangs to protect interior spaces from heat gain and glare. Shading
materials should reflect heat, and not be another source of heat.
Roof insulation is a must in our warm climate. This reduces the temperature significantly inside the house.


What is "Sustainable Architecture?"
Eco-housing, green development, sustainable design -- environmentally sound housing has as
many names as it has definitions, but the Rocky Mountain Institute, in its "Primer on Sustainable
Building", flexibly describes this new kind of architecture as "taking less from the Earth and giving more to
people." In practice, "green" housing varies widely. It can range from being energy efficient and using
nontoxic interior finishes to being constructed of recycled materials and completely powered by the sun.
Green building practices offer an opportunity to create environmentally sound and resource-
efficient buildings by using an integrated approach to design. Green buildings promote resource
conservation, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation features; consider
environmental impacts and waste minimization; create a healthy and comfortable environment; reduce
operation and maintenance costs; and address issues such as historical preservation, access to public
transportation and other community infrastructure systems. The entire life cycle of the building and its
components is considered, as well as the economic and environmental impact and performance.
Basically, its an environmentally friendly house!
Architectural Response to Sustainability
Since the Oil Embargo in the 1970s, there has been an increased awareness in environmental issues.
Some people may look at the loss of non-renewable resources and think automobiles are the main
cause. However, that is not so. It may be suprising to many that the majority of energy depletion comes
from buildings. Half of the non-renewable resources that are used are wasted by buildings and homes,
where as only 25% is used by automobiles (Slessor 1996, p.4). In addition, the United States citizen
uses 20 times more raw materials than the average world citizen. This shock has hit the architectural
field hard but there has been little done to remedy the situation.
The idea of sustainable architecture is not new. As defined by Robert Berkebile, AIA, It is design that
improves the quality of life today without diminishing it for the next generation. (Berkebile 1993, p.109)
However, sustainable architecture is hardly ever used. The lack of green architecture is a fault of both
the client and the architect. It is the architect's responsibility to converse to the client about sustainability,
but most firms do not have the resources in their files to produce beneficial or new ideas about designing
sustainable buildings. Also, if an architect does wish to produce a sustainable building, the client may not
want to pay the additional costs it may take to construct, and is most the time unaware of the benefits.
The time has come to educate the clients about design issues such as sleek does not mean better and
a glass wall is not better than a concrete wall. There comes a time when people have to stop worrying
only about the exterior details and start worrying about the internal ones, "It is time to stop putting the
fins on the Cadillac." (Slessor 1996, p.5) We as architects have valuable resources at our disposal that
are more than often over looked. In addition, as designers we must change the standards of
construction. We have to stop pulling details and other pre-fabricated building systems out of catalogues
and use our design ability to change the way architecture runs. Architects must challenge the
preconceptions behind building forms. In fact, there is still much to learn from traditional vernacular
forms.

Principles of Sustainable Architecture

The following nine ideas, as provided by the Hannover Principles of Architecture
(http://minerva.acc.virginia.edu/~arch/pub/), should be seen as a means of improving the
quality of life through environmentally friendly architecture. These points are
constantly changing, so that they may adapt as our knowledge of the world evolves.

1. Insist on rights of humanity and nature to co-exist in a healthy, supportive, diverse
and sustainable condition.
2. Recognize interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend
upon the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design
considerations to recognizing even distant effects.
3. Respect relationships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human
settlement including community, dwelling, industry and trade in terms of existing
and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness.
4. Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being,
the viability of natural systems and their right to co-exist.
5. Create safe objects of long-term value. Do not burden future generations with
requirements for maintenance or vigilant administration of potential danger due to
the careless creation of products, processes or standards.
6. Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life-cycle of
products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems, in which there is no waste.
7. Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world,
derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate this energy
efficiently and safely for responsible use.
8. Understand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever and design
does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in
the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not as an inconvenience to
be evaded or controlled.
9. Seek constant improvement by the sharing of knowledge. Encourage direct and
open communication between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers and users to link
long term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility, and re-establish
the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.



Sustainable Designs
- A compact envelope allows for very little surface area to be exposed to the external environment. Thus,
providing the structure more economical when it comes to heating and cooling.
- The use of a buffer zone between the core (living space) of a building and its exterior walls, such as the
design of a hallway or a laundry room, helps maintain comfortable conditions internally and saves energy.
- Wall types are also important. When wind hits a wall it produces a back flow at the base, which if not
sealed properly or if there was a designed opening, filtration into the building will occur. This will cause
much energy loss and a draft inside.
- Using trees in the landscape is a great way to buffer the strong north winds in the winter. Also, a tree
placed on the southern corner of a house allows for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
- Numerous wall types are designed to be energy efficient throughout the year. Some examples of walls
are the Trombe wall and water wall, which absorb heat in the winter.
- Passive solar heating is the use of glazed walls in proper locations to allow sunlight to penetrate in the
winter and to be blocked in the summer. This process, if done properly, will allow heating and cooling to
occur during the relative seasons.
- Solar panels, another use of solar energy, is an enhanced product that exploits sunlight to heat and
produce clean energy. Once a mainstream product in the 1970s, solar panel use is minimal because of
their high cost compared to the price of fossil fuel. However, in the long run, solar panels more than pay
for themselves.
- Earth rammed homes (a house whose walls are backfilled with earth) are of great benefit for the serious
economically aware owner. These types of homes use the natural heating and cooling of the earth to
maintain the internal temperature of the house. Though it may be more costly to dig out and back fill, the
electric and heating bill will be very minute compared to the cost to heat and cool an average
home (Achard 1993, p.54).


Interior and Exterior View of a Sustainable Home

Water Collection
Flood water collection, and the pooling of greywater (from sink and bath) would supply a sufficient
amount of water for irrigation purposes. Connecting residential greywater and storm water run-off to a
centralized underground storage basin would reduce the need for clean city water. Collected water would
help to irrigate residential gardens and green spaces. Gardens and green spaces cut down on
neighborhood pollution and save residents money on certain products such as vegetables. (Steele 1983,
p151) This would be especially useful in Emerson Park, East St. Louis because it is an area which
receives a good amount of rain and it is at a lower elevation than the surrounding neighborhoods thus
water collection into a basin would not be a problem. This system however would be a costly one to
install, just as the light rail station was, but like the rail station I feel in the next ten to fifteen years the city
will relize its benefits. For this pooling of water to be beneficial residents would need to develop green
spaces which would require greywater only. Areas such as flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and mini
parks are some examples of things which could use greywater. Also by creating these attractive
landscapes residents could save money on products they would normally buy at the store by growing
vegetables such as tomatos, apples, and watermellon.

Example of one method of greywater irrigation.
Passive Solar Housing
Passive solar systems are self-sufficient buildings which rely on natural
principles insted of mechanical systems to provide a non-polluting
source of heating and cooling.

Introduction
Passive energy is more sustainable than active energy systems because passive systems use far fewer
natural resources to build and maintain. They do not rely so heavily upon gas for heating or coolants for
air conditioning. Passive systems are designed so that they can take natural energy from the sun to heat
a building and use specific design principles to cool a building. Passive energy systems are also cheaper
than active systems because they are less susceptible to malfunction since they rely completely upon
nature, rather than using mechanical equipment to produce energy. In order to create a home that will
maximize the effects of passive solar heating, a designer must take many different variables into
account. Two major ideas crucial to creating effective passive solar housing are orientation andmaterials.
Passive solar buildings should be oriented to receive as much southern sun as possible. In the
summer, the hot sun can be blocked by using overhangs or through landscaping like large foliated trees.
In the winter, sun should help heat the house because the sun angle is lower in the sky allowing more sun
to hit the glazing more directly. Thought should also be given to the specifications of the windows for
maximum solar gains and heat loss. By using the right building materials such as masonry or concrete
and combining them with effective insulation, solar energy can be contained in the house allowing it to be
comfortable year round (Desbarats 1980, 232).

Building Orientation
Building orientation is crucial to maximizing energy production in a passive solar home. Because passive
solar homes rely on natural sunlight to power the building's utilities, the building should be oriented on
thesite in a way that will allow it to maximize the amount of sunlight. The best way to achieve this is to
orient the house on the east-west axis and concentrate most of the house's glazing on the south wall.
This allows the home to receive the most direct sunlight for the longest period of time (Hibshman 1983,
261). Heat travels through windows very easily, however heat does not exit as easily. Once the heat
passes through the window, it breaks up and it takes much longer for that heat to exit (Button 1993, 129).
This allows heat that enters a building to stay in the building for a long time. This is a helpful principal for
heating a building in the winter and is the reason why windows should receive as much light as possible
in the winter. However, in the summer, the hot sun can become an uncomfortable problem. To alleviate
some of this heat, passive solar homes should be designed with attic fans or some sort of operable
clerestory windows which can be opened to release some of the hot air when it rises. Glazing should be
greatly reduced on the east and west walls and should be virtually eliminated on the north side of the
home because most cold winds in winter come from the north and west (Desbarats 1980, 56). Because
the house needs as much protection from these winds as possible, and glazing cannot provide this
protection, windows should be eliminated. (Desbarats 1980, 28).


Glass
The amount as well as type of glass windows used in a house are very important considerations
interms of thermal comfort, cost and efficiency. There are many different types of windows available:
single, double and triple paned (Button 1993, 164) A single pane is simply one pane of glass. These are
generally the worst types of windows to use. Although they are the cheapest windows available, they are
not energy efficient and they allow more heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter than either the
double or triple paned windows do. Double pane windows are much more energy efficient. The reason is
the cold winter air passes through the first pane but then must pass through a gap of either air or Argon
gas before it reaches the second pane. The reason this is helpful is because air or Argon gas provide
excellent insulation and do not allow the cold to penetrate nearly as much as it would if there were only
one pane. Triple paned windows work on the same principal as double paned but they are even
more energy efficient because there is even an additional layer of insulation (Button 1993, 166). It is also
possible to get windows with coatings such as low emissivity coatings (low-E) which help to block the
suns harmful rays but still allow visible light to pass through (Button 1993, 173).


R-Values for Different Types of Glass
Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is another important concept to keep in mind when dealing with energy efficient
housing. It is important for these types of homes to be built with materials that have a large amount of
thermal mass (Hibshman, 1983, p.48). Such materials are brick, stone and concrete. These materials
are ideal because materials with a large thermal mass absorb much of the energy they receive from the
sun. These materials absorb and release energy completely, but slowly. Because it takes a long time for
the energy to be released after it is absorbed, a phenomenon known as lag, warm sunlight that is
absorbed during the day is finally released over time at night. This is another natural phenomenon which
proves helpful because it provides warmth at night when the house is the coldest and heat is necessary.
Because all of the heat is released at night the floor is then cool for the next day and consequently this
helps to cool the rest of the house. It is also important leave the concrete floors on the south side of the
house exposed. If they are carpeted, they lose most all of their thermal mass properties. However,
carpeting would be acceptable on the north side of the house because there should be almost no
windows there anyway (Hibshman, 1983, p.32).



How Thermal Mass Works

Affordability in Sustainability Using Passive
Solar Heating
Cost is a very important factor for designing sustainable architecture. Aside from
creating enviornmentally friendly architecture, sustainable architecture allows lower building
and maintenance costs. Affordability goes hand in hand with sustainablity and is something which we, as
designers, should concentrate on when designing the housing in East St. Louis. One way to create
affordable homes is by using everyday, affordable materials to replace expensive and wasteful
mechanical ones. One way this can be achieved is by using 55-gallon drums filled with water to create
thermal mass, a very necessary element for passive solar heating. By placing these drums in direct
sunlight, they will absorb the sun's energy and, because lag also occurs in water, they will have the same
effect on the house that materials like concrete or masonry would, but without the cost (Hibshman, 1983,
p.50). Another, affordable solution is to use these drums filled with water to replace water heaters. They
can be placed in the roof or any other place where they will receive a lot of direct sunlight (see figure on
"Sustainable Design" page). The owner can then use that water which has been naturally heated for
bathing or cooking, replacing a mechanical hot water heater and greatly reducing cost (Hibshman, 1983,
p.53). Another way to create affordable yet sustainable architecture is by using unconventional building
techniques. One way is to use post-and-beam units instead of conventional stick framing. The posts are
then anchored into the concrete. This creates a very stable framing system and also reduces costs
because no 2"x4" studs are used and therefore, less wood is used. However, the most important money
saving factor in this construction is the use of prefabricated wall systems. These systems are cut into
4'x8' sheets and can then be placed right in between the posts on the construction site with no wated
materials used (Hibshman, 1983, p.71). This is also a faster method of construction so the labor costs
will also be reduced. While these are just a few ideas more specific examples using these
techniques can be found in the sited material.

Diagram showing good passive solar design
What is passive cooling?
Passive cooling is the least expensive means of cooling a home in both financial and environmental
terms. Some level of passive cooling is required in every Australian climate at some time of the year.
As cooling requirements are dictated by climate, distinctly different approaches to passive cooling are
required for:
hot humid climates (Zone 1) where no heating is required
temperate and warm climates (Zones 26) where both heating and cooling are required
cool and cold climates (Zones 78) where heating needs are more important.
Each climate is discussed separately below.
Cooling people
Factors affecting comfort for people (human thermal comfort) are outlined in Design for climate and
include both physiological and psychological factors.
To be effective, passive cooling needs to cool both the building and the people in it.
Evaporation of perspiration is the most effective physiological cooling process. It requires air movement
and moderate to low humidity (less than 60%).
Radiant heat loss is also important, both physiologically and psychologically. It involves direct radiation to
cooler surfaces.
Conduction contributes to both types of comfort and involves body contact with cooler surfaces. It is most
effective when people are sedentary (e.g. sleeping on a water bed).
Cooling buildings
The efficiency of the building envelope can be maximized in a number of ways to minimize heat gain:
shading windows, walls and roofs from direct solar radiation
using lighter colored roofs to reflect heat
using insulation and buffer zones to minimize conducted and radiated heat gains
making selective or limited use of thermal mass to avoid storing daytime heat gains.
To maximize heat loss, use the following natural sources of cooling:
air movement
cooling breezes
evaporation
earth coupling
reflection of radiation.
Cooling sources
Sources of passive cooling are more varied and complex than passive heating, which comes from a
single, predictable source solar radiation.
Varying combinations of innovative envelope design, air movement, evaporative cooling, earth-coupled
thermal mass, lifestyle choices and acclimatisation are required to provide adequate cooling comfort in
most Australian climate zones. Additional mechanical cooling may be required in hot humid climates and
in extreme conditions in many climates, especially as climate change leads to higher temperatures during
the daytime and overnight.
Air movement
Air movement is the most important element of passive cooling. It cools people by increasing evaporation
and requires both breeze capture and fans for back-up in still conditions.
It also cools buildings by carrying heat out of the building as warmed air and replacing it with cooler
external air. Moving air also carries heat to mechanical cooling systems where it is removed by heat
pumps and recirculated. This requires well-designed openings (windows, doors and vents) and
unrestricted breeze paths.
In all climates, air movement is useful for cooling people, but it may be less effective during periods of
high humidity. An air speed of 0.5m/s equates to a 3C drop in temperature at a relative humidity of 50%.
This is a one-off physiological cooling effect resulting from heat being drawn from the body to evaporate
perspiration. Air movement exposes the skin to dryer air. Increased air speeds do not increase cooling at
lower relative humidity but air speeds up to 1.0m/s can increase evaporative cooling in higher humidity.
Air speeds above 1.0m/s usually cause discomfort.
Cool breezes
Where the climate provides cooling breezes, maximising their flow through a home when cooling is
required is an essential component of passive design. Unlike cool night air, these breezes tend to occur in
the late afternoon or early evening when cooling requirements usually peak.

Cool breezes work best in narrow or open plan layouts.
Cool breezes work best in narrow or open plan layouts and rely on air-pressure differentials caused by
wind or breezes. They are less effective in:
buildings with deep floor plans or individual small rooms
long periods of high external temperature (ambient or conducted heat gains above 3540 watts
per square metre (W/m
2
)
locations with high noise, security risk or poor external air quality, where windows may need to be
closed.
Coastal breezes are usually from an onshore direction (south-east and east to north-east in most east
coast areas, and south-west in most west coast areas, e.g. the Fremantle Doctor).
In mountainous or hilly areas, cool breezes often flow down slopes and valleys in late evening and early
morning, as heat radiating to clear night skies cools the land mass and creates cool air currents.
Thermal currents are common in flatter, inland areas, created by daily heating and cooling. They are often
of short duration in early morning and evening but with good design can yield worthwhile cooling benefits.
Cool night air
Cool night air is a reliable source of cooling in inland areas where cool breezes are limited and diurnal
temperature ranges usually exceed 68C. Hot air radiating from a building fabrics thermal mass is
replaced with cooler night air drawn by internalexternal temperature differentials rather than breezes.
Full height, double hung windows are ideal for this purpose. Further cooling can be gained by including
whole of house fans (see below).
Convective air movement
The rule of convection: warm air rises and cool air falls.
Stack ventilation, or convective air movement, relies on the increased buoyancy of warm air which rises to
escape the building through high level outlets, drawing in lower level cool night air or cooler daytime air
from shaded external areas (south) or evaporative cooling ponds and fountains.

Convection causes warm air to rise, drawing in cool air.
Convective air movement improves cross-ventilation and overcomes many of the limitations of unreliable
cooling breezes. Even when there is no breeze, convection allows heat to leave a building via clerestory
windows, roof ventilators and vented ridges, eaves, gables and ceilings.
Convection produces air movement capable of cooling a building but usually has insufficient air speed to
cool people.
Solar chimneys
Solar chimneys enhance stack ventilation by providing additional height and well-designed air passages
that increase the air pressure differential. Warmed by solar radiation, chimneys heat the rising air and
increase the difference in temperature between incoming and out-flowing air.
The increase in natural convection from these measures enhances the draw of air through the building.

Source: Green Builder Solar Guidelines (Residential)
Solar chimneys enhance ventilation.
Evaporative cooling
As water evaporates it draws large amounts of heat from surrounding air. Evaporation is therefore an
effective passive cooling method, although it works best when relative humidity is lower (70% or less
during hottest periods) as the air has a greater capacity to take up water vapour.
Rates of evaporation are increased by air movement.
Pools, ponds and water features immediately outside windows or in courtyards can pre-cool air entering
the house. Carefully located water features can create convective breezes. The surface area of water
exposed to moving air is also important. Fountains, mist sprays and waterfalls can increase evaporation
rates.

Photo: Sunpower Design
Ponds pre-cool air before it enters a house.
Mechanical evaporative coolers are common in drier climates and inland areas where relative humidity is
low. They use less energy than refrigerated air conditioners and work better with doors and windows left
open. Their water consumption can be considerable. (see Heating and cooling)
Earth coupling
Earth coupling of thermal mass protected from external temperature extremes (e.g. floor slabs) can
substantially lower temperatures by absorbing heat as it enters the building or as it is generated by
household activities.

Earth coupling utilises cooler ground temperatures.
Passively shaded areas around earth-coupled slabs keep surface ground temperatures lower during the
day and allow night-time cooling. Poorly shaded surrounds can lead to earth temperatures exceeding
internal comfort levels in many areas. In this event, an earth-coupled slab can become an energy liability.
Ground and soil temperatures vary throughout Australia. Earth-coupled construction (including slab-on-
ground and earth covered or bermed) utilises stable ground temperatures at lower depths to absorb
household heat gains.
Passive cooling design principles
To achieve thermal comfort in cooling applications, building envelopes are designed to minimise daytime
heat gain, maximise night-time heat loss, and encourage cool breeze access when available.
Considerations include:
designing the floor plan and building form to respond to local climate and site
using and positioning thermal mass carefully to store coolness, not unwanted heat
choosing climate appropriate windows and glazing
positioning windows and openings to enhance air movement and cross ventilation
shading windows, solar exposed walls and roofs where possible
installing and correctly positioning appropriate combinations of both reflective and bulk insulation
using roof spaces and outdoor living areas as buffer zones to limit heat gain.
Integration of these variables in climate appropriate proportions is a complex task. Energy rating software,
such as that accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), can simulate
their interaction in any design for 69 different Australian climate zones.
While the NatHERS software tools are most commonly used to rate energy efficiency (thermal
performance) when assessing a house design for council approval, their capacity, in non-rating mode, as
a design tool is currently under-used. Seek advice from an accredited assessor (Association of Building
Sustainability Assessors orBuilding Designers Association of Victoria) who is skilled in using these tools in
non-rating mode.
Envelope design floor plan and building form
Envelope design is the integrated design of building form and materials as a total system to achieve
optimum comfort and energy savings.
Heat enters and leaves a home through the roof, walls, windows and floor, collectively referred to as the
building envelope. The internal layout walls, doors and room arrangements also affects heat
distribution within a home.
Good design of the envelope and internal layout responds to climate and site conditions to optimise the
thermal performance. It can lower operating costs, improve comfort and lifestyle and minimise
environmental impact.
All Australian climates currently require some degree of passive cooling; with climate change this is
expected to increase.
Varied responses are required for each climate zone and even within each zone depending on local
conditions and the microclimate of a given site.
Maximise the indooroutdoor relationship and provide outdoor living spaces that are screened,
shaded and rain protected.
Maximise convective ventilation with high level windows and ceiling or roof space vents.
Zone living and sleeping areas appropriately for climate vertically and horizontally.
Locate bedrooms for sleeping comfort.
Design ceilings and position furniture for optimum efficiency of fans, cool breezes and convective
ventilation.
Locate mechanically cooled rooms in thermally protected areas (i.e. highly insulated, shaded and
well sealed).
Thermal mass
Thermal mass is the storage system for warmth and coolth (the absence of warmth) in passive design.
Climate responsive design means positioning thermal mass where it is exposed to appropriate levels of
passive summer cooling (and solar heating in winter). Badly positioned mass heats up and radiates heat
well into the night when external temperatures have dropped. As a rule of thumb, avoid or limit thermal
mass in upstairs sleeping areas. In climates with little or no heating requirement, low mass is generally
the preferred option. (see Thermal mass)
Earth-coupled concrete slabs-on-ground provide a heat sink where deep earth temperatures (at 3m depth
or more) are favourable, but should be avoided in climates where deep earth temperatures contribute to
heat gain. In these regions, use open vented floors with high levels of insulation to avoid heat gain.

In regions where deep earth temperatures are lower, consider enclosing subfloor areas to allow earth
coupling to reduce temperatures and therefore heat gains.

Windows and shading
Windows and shading are the most critical elements in passive cooling. They are the main source of heat
gain, via direct radiation and conduction, and of cooling, via cross, stack and fan-drawn ventilation, cool
breeze access and night purging. (see Glazing;Shading)
Low sun angles through east and west-facing windows increase heat gain, while north-facing windows
(south in tropics) transmit less heat in summer because the higher angles of incidence reflect more
radiation.

Source: Association of Building Sustainability Assessors (ABSA)
Relationship between sun angle and heat gain.
Air movement and ventilation
Design to maximise beneficial cooling breezes by providing multiple flow paths and minimising potential
barriers; single depth rooms are ideal in warmer climates.
Because breezes come from many directions and can be deflected or diverted, orientation to breeze
direction is less important than the actual design of windows and openings to collect and direct breezes
within and through the home.
Use casement windows to catch and deflect breezes from varying angles.

Source: Dept of Environment and Resource Management, Qld
For breeze collection, window design is more important than orientation.
Wind doesnt blow through a building it is sucked towards areas of lower air pressure. To draw the
breeze through, use larger openings on the leeward (low pressure or downwind) side of the house and
smaller openings on the breeze or windward (high pressure or upwind) side. Openings near the centre of
the high pressure zone are more effective because pressure is highest near the centre of the windward
wall and diminishes toward the edges as the wind finds other ways to move around the building.

Airflow pattern and speed for different opening areas.
In climates requiring winter heating the need for passive solar north sun influences these considerations;
designers should strive for a balanced approach.
The design of openings to direct airflow inside the home is a critical but much overlooked design
component of passive cooling. Size, type, external shading and horizontal/vertical position of any
openings (doors and windows) is critical as shown in the diagrams below.

Source: Steve Szokolay
Airflow pattern for windows of different opening height. Louvre windows help to vary ventilation paths and
control air speed.
Consider installing a louvre window above doors to let breezes pass through the building while
maintaining privacy and security. In climates requiring cooling only, consider placing similar panels above
head height in internal walls to allow cross-ventilation to move the hottest air.
Position windows (vertically and horizonally) to direct airflow to the area where occupants spend most
time (e.g. dining table, lounge or bed).
In rooms where it is not possible to place windows in opposite or adjacent walls for cross-ventilation,
place projecting fins on the windward side to create positive and negative pressure to draw breezes
through the room, as shown in the diagram below.

Use fins to direct airflow.
Design and locate planting, fences and outbuildings to funnel breezes into and through the building, filter
stronger winds and exclude adverse hot or cold winds.

Plant trees and shrubs to funnel breezes.

Plant trees and shrubs to funnel breezes.
Insulation
Insulation is critical to passive cooling particularly to the roof and floor. Windows are often left open to
take advantage of natural cooling and walls are easily shaded; roofs, however, are difficult to shade, and
floors are a source of constant heat gain through conduction and convection, with only limited cooling
contribution to offset it.
Insulation levels and installation details for each climate zone are provided in Insulation and Insulation
installation. Pay careful attention to up and down insulation values and choose appropriately for purpose
and location.
In climates that require only cooling or those with limited cooling needs, use multiple layers of reflective
foil insulation in the roof instead of bulk insulation to reduce radiant daytime heat gains while maximising
night-time heat loss through conduction and convection. This is known as the one-way insulation valve.
Reflective foil insulation is less affected by condensation and is highly suited to cooling climate
applications as it reflects unwanted heat out while not re-radiating it in.
Roof space
Well-ventilated roof spaces (and other non-habitable spaces) play a critical role in passive cooling by
providing a buffer zone between internal and external spaces in the most difficult area to shade, the roof.

Well-ventilated roof spaces form a buffer between internal and external areas.
Ventilators can reduce the temperature differential (see Passive heating) across ceiling insulation,
increasing its effectiveness by as much as 100%. The use of foil insulation and light coloured roofing
limits radiant heat flow into the roof space.
Use careful detailing to prevent condensation from saturating the ceiling and insulation. Dew-points form
where humid air comes into contact with a cooler surface, e.g. the underside of roof sarking or reflective
foil insulation cooled by radiation to a clear night sky. (seeSealing your home)

Source: COOLmob
Using ventilation to cool the roof space.
Hybrid cooling systems
Hybrid cooling systems are whole house cooling solutions that employ a variety of cooling options
(including air conditioning) in the most efficient and effective way. They take maximum advantage of
passive cooling when available and make efficient use of mechanical cooling systems during extreme
periods.
Fans
Fans provide reliable air movement for cooling people and supplementing breezes during still periods.
At 50% relative humidity, air movement of 0.5m/s creates maximum cooling effect; faster speeds can be
unsettling. As noted above, air speeds up to 1.0m/s can be useful in higher relative humidity, but
prolonged air speeds above 1.0m/s cause discomfort.
Standard ceiling fans can create a comfortable environment when temperature and relative humidity
levels are within acceptable ranges. In a lightweight building in a warm temperate climate, the installation
of fans in bedrooms and all living areas (including kitchens and undercover outdoor areas) significantly
reduces cooling energy use.

Source: Adapted from Ballinger 1992
Air movement relative to fan position.
Fans should be located centrally in each space, one for each grouping of furniture. An extended
lounge/dining area needs two fans. In bedrooms, locate the fan close to the centre of the bed. Because
air speed decreases with distance from the fan, position fans over the places where people spend the
most time. (seeHeating and cooling)
Whole of house fans
Whole of house or roof fans are ideal for cooling buildings, particularly where cross-ventilation design is
inadequate. However, they do not create sufficient air speed to cool occupants.

Source: Breezepower
Whole of house fans should be positioned centrally, e.g. in the roof, stairwell or hallways.
Typically, a single fan unit is installed in a circulation space in the centre of the house (hallway or
stairwell) to draw cooler outside air into the building through open windows in selected rooms, when
conditions are suitable. It then exhausts the warm air through eaves, ceiling or gable vents via the roof
space. This also cools the roof space and reduces any temperature differential across ceiling insulation.
Control systems should prevent the fan operating when external air temperatures are higher than internal.
Drawing large volumes of humid air through the roof space can increase condensation. A dew-point forms
when this humid air comes in contact with roof elements (e.g. reflective insulation) that have been cooled
by radiation to night skies (see Insulation andSealing your home for ways to mitigate this).
Whole of house fans can be noisy at full speed but are generally operated in the early evening when
cooling needs peak and households are most active. If run at a lower speed throughout the night, they
can draw cool night air across beds that are near open windows, provided doors are left open for
circulation. On still nights this can be more effective than air conditioning for night-time sleeping comfort.


What Is Green Architecture and Green Design?

Definition:
Green architecture, or green design, is an approach to building that minimizes harmful effects on human
health and the environment. The "green" architect or designer attempts to safeguard air, water, and earth
by choosing eco-friendly building materials and construction practices.

Green architecture may have many of these characteristics:
Ventilation systems designed for efficient heating and cooling
Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
Water-saving plumbing fixtures
Landscapes planned to maximize passive solar energy
Minimal harm to the natural habitat
Alternate power sources such as solar power or wind power
Non-synthetic, non-toxic materials
Locally-obtained woods and stone
Responsibly-harvested woods
Adaptive reuse of older buildings
Use of recycledarchitectural salvage
Efficient use of space

While most green buildings do not have all of these features, the highest goal of green architecture is to
be fully sustainable.

Also Known As:
Sustainable development, eco-design, eco-friendly architecture, earth-friendly architecture, environmental
architecture, natural architecture







Links
http://business.inquirer.net/19613/tropical-architecture
http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/arch/ARCH371-F99/groups/k/susarch.html
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling
http://architecture.about.com/od/greenconcepts/g/green.htm