SUN, WIND, & LIGHT

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STRATEGIES

3rd edition

Mark DeKay G. Z. Brown

Architect Knight Professor
GreenVision Studio Department of Architecture
University of Tennessee University of Oregon

© 2013 John Wiley & Sons i

ii
 SWL Printed Contents
detailed*

SWL Binder Contents XX S2 ENERGY-CONSCIOUS OCCUPANT BEHAVIORS

SWL Printed Contents, abbreviated XX reduce peak heating, cooling, ventilation and
lighting loads.  XX
SWL Electronic Contents, abbreviated  XX
S3 Form and organize buildings and open spaces to
Preface  XX create RESOURCE-RICH ENVIRONMENTS that
IntroductionXX provide livable outdoor space and access to
site resources. XX
Part I NAVIGATION S4 Integrating climate and use variables yields

NAVIGATION: SWL Printed Contents, detailed

• Alphabetical Contents of synergies, bundles,
strategies and techniques 
• SWL Printed Contents, detailed
• SWL Electronic Contents, detailed 
• Navigation Matrix, by scale and energy topic
• Design Strategy Maps
• Navigation by Climate
Part II USING SUN, WIND & LIGHT
• Buildings and Energy Use
• Design Decision Charts for net-zero and net-
positive buildings XX
opportunities for SPATIAL ZONING according to
XX "best-fit" passive design strategies. XX
XX S5 A building designed for THERMAL SAILING uses
XX thermal storage and a responsive envelope that
XX exploit changing patterns of sun, wind and light
XX to regulate comfort and energy use.  XX
XX S6 MULTIVALENT DESIGN combines two or more
functions within a single building element.  XX
S7 When all available load reduction strategies and
XX their controls have been exploited, meet the
remaining load with an ACTIVE TAILORED
SYSTEM that fits the load characteristics. XX

Part III SYNERGIES xx * All of the SWL Printed material is also included in electronic
format in SWL Electronic
S1 View CLIMATE AS A RESOURCE for load reduction + See also Part IX Detailed Analysis Techniques in SWL Electronic.
and power generation. XX ++ See also Part VIII Detailed Design Strategies in SWL Electronic. 41
 Part IV BUNDLES
• Bundles Explained XX
• Selecting Bundles and Making Your Own XX
• Some Fundamantal Bundles:
B1 A NEIGHBORHOOD OF LIGHT configures urban
fabric in response to climate to provide daylight
access for all buildings and the spaces between.
[daylighting]XX
B2 A COOLING NEIGHBORHOOD configures urban
fabric in response to climate to promote passive
cooling for all buildings and the spaces between.
[cooling]XX
B3 A SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD configures urban fabric
in response to climate to promote the use of
solar power and heating of all buildings and
the spaces between. [heating] XX
B4 INTEGRATED URBAN PATTERNS of streets and
blocks can be organized to integrate concerns for
light, sun, and shade according to
the priorities of the climate. [heating, cooling,
and daylighting]  XX
B5 A DAYLIGHT BUILDING is organized to light
itself with the sky using a family of strategies fit
to place and purpose. [daylighting] XX
NAVIGATION: SWL Printed Contents, Detailed
B6 A PASSIVELY COOLED BUILDING is organized to
cool itself with site resources using a family of
strategies fit to place and purpose. [cooling] XX
B7 A PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDING is organized to
heat itself with the sun using a family of
strategies fit to place and purpose. [heating] XX
B8 Comfortable OUTDOOR MICROCLIMATES adjacent
to buildings use a family of strategies fit to place
and outdoor use. [heating and cooling] XX
B9 A RESPONSIVE ENVELOPE regulates comfort and
energy use by adapting to changing patterns of
sun, light, and air movement. [cooling, heating,
lighting, ventilation and power] XX
42
Part V FAVORITE DESIGN TOOLS,
condensed XX
A Building Groups Scale
14 DAYLIGHT SPACING ANGLES set the criteria to
assure adequate daylight access to buildings
and determine the daylight envelope. Excerpted
from daylight envelopes [daylighting]. XX
20 BUILDING SPACING FOR SOLAR ACCESS sets
criteria for insuring winter solar gain to
building rows spaced in the north-south
direction. [heating]. Excerpted from east - west
elongated building groups Xxx
B Buildings Scale
54 The NIGHT VENTILATION POTENTIALS MAP
shows the months for which night ventilation of
thermal mass is likely to provide cooling.
[cooling] Excerpted from night - cooled mass Xxx
57 The DAYLIGHT UNIFORMITY RULE helps
determine room proportions to maintain a
minimum level of illumination and an even
distribution of light. [daylighting] Excerpted
from sidelight room depth Xxx
C Building Parts Scale
74 INSULATION RECOMMENDATIONS insure that
heat flow through the envelope is small
enough that passive strategies will be
effective. [heating and cooling]. Excerpted
from skin thickness Xxx
75 The SIZING DIRECT THERMAL STORAGE
nomograph helps fit thermal storage area, type
and thickness to the building's passive solar
target. [heating]. Excerpted from thermal mass Xxx
84 PASSIVE SOLAR GLAZING AREA recommendations
match glazing size to predicted solar savings
fraction [heating]. Excerpted from solar
apertures Xxx
85 Use the graphs for SIZING WINDOWS FOR
DAYLIGHTING to match daylight aperture size
to the room's floor area and its target design
daylight factor. [daylighting] Excerpted from
daylight apertures Xxx
86 The tools for SIZING CROSS & STACK-
VENTILATION openings help define architectural
characteristics that meet the building's
cooling load. [cooling and ventilation].
Excerpted from ventilation apertures  Xxx
106 GLAZING RECOMMENDATIONS help select
windows for daylighting, winter solar gain,
and summer heat rejection. [heating, cooling,
and daylighting]. Excerpted from window and
glass types  xxx
Part VI FAVORITE DESIGN STRATEGIES,
condensed XX
Unbuilt
A14 ENERGY PROGRAMMING groups together spaces
with similar heating, cooling, ventilation or
lighting requirements to increase the efficiency
of passive and active strategies.
A24 The BIOCLIMATIC CHART, identifies potential
passive solar heating and cooling strategies
appropriate to the building's climate. 
A Building Groups Scale
3 Favorable TOPOGRAPHIC MICROCLIMATES can be
used to locate building groups.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
7 LOOSE URBAN PATTERNS maximize cooling
breezes in hot climates, while DENSE URBAN
PATTERNS minimize winter winds in heating
climates. [heating and cooling] 
B Buildings Scale
24 MIGRATION: Rooms and courts can be zoned so
that activities can take place in cooler areas
during warm periods and warmer areas during
cool periods of the day or season. [heating and
cooling]  XXX
26 Rooms can be grouped into COOLING ZONES
based on similar cooling requirements,
facilitating the use of the same cooling
strategies at the same time.
[cooling and ventilation] XX
28 Rooms can be organized into HEATING ZONES
based on their needs for heating and
whether or not they can make use of
internal heat sources. [heating]  XX
29 BUFFER ZONES locate rooms that can tolerate
temperature swings between protected rooms
and undesired heat or cold, and can temper
fresh ventilation air before it enters
the occupied space. [heating and cooling]  XXX
30 PERMEABLE BUILDINGS combine open plans
and sections for cross-ventilation,
stack-ventilation, or both. [cooling]  XXX
XXX 32 LOCATING OUTDOOR ROOMS in relation to sun
NAVIGATION: SWL Printed Contents, Detailed
and wind can extend the seasons of outdoor
comfort. [heating and cooling]  XXX
XXX 33 An ATRIUM BUILDING with a glazed or
unglazed light court within can provide light
to surrounding interior rooms. [daylighting] XXX
35 THIN PLAN room arrangements will have
daylight available for each space. [day­lighting]
XXX
37 DEEP SUN in thick buildings depends on
effective pathways organized in plan and
section. [heating]  XXX
XXX
41 DAYLIGHT ZONES arrange rooms so that
activities that need higher lighting levels are
near windows, while activities that need
less light are farther from daylight sources.
[daylighting]  XXX
43
 43 ROOMS FACING the SUN and WIND increase
the effectiveness of solar heating and cross-
ventilation. [heating and cooling] 
44 Air flow through CROSS-VENTILATION ROOMS
is increased by open plans and uninterrupted
pathways between windward inlets and
leeward outlets. [cooling]  XXX
46 EVAPORATIVE COOLING TOWERS can supply
cool air to rooms without the use of fans or
wind. [cooling] 
48 DIRECT GAIN ROOMS are open to collect the
sun and can store heat within a space.
[heating] 
49 SUNSPACES can be used to collect the sun's
heat, store it centrally, and distribute it to
other rooms. [heating] 
53 Air flow though STACK VENTILATION ROOMS
is increased by open sections and unrestricted
pathways between low inlets and high outlets.
[cooling] 
54 NIGHT COOLED MASS uses thermal storage to
absorb heat from a room during the day and
then cools the mass at night with ventilation.
[cooling] 
C Building Parts Scale
60 MASS ARRANGEMENT can be optimized for solar
heating, passive cooling or both. Thermal mass
can be located in rooms where sun is collected,
in adjacent rooms or outside of rooms,
remotely. [heating and cooling]
63 A LAYER OF SHADES overhead can protect the
courtyard and building from high sun, while
vertical shades can protect from low sun.
[cooling]  XXX
69 VENTILATION OPENINGS ARRANGEMENT can be
optimized to increase the rate of cross-ventilation
in a room and to move air across occupants,
increasing their rate of cooling. [cooling and
ventilation] 
44
78 Orient PHOTOVOLTAIC WALLS and ROOFS to
collect sun and make them large enough to
XXX meet the building's electric load. [power]  XXX
79 SOLAR HOT WATER systems require roofs
that are large enough as well as sloped and
oriented to collect sun. [power]  XXX
91 An EXTERNAL SHADING layer outside the
windowcan shade the galzing and reduce
solar heat gain. [cooling] XXX
XXX
PART VII HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS  XX
P1 ENERGY TARGETS set goals to reduce fossil fuel
XXX consumption relative to benchmarks for the
building's type and climate.  XXX
P2 ANNUAL ENERGY USE can be estimated to
XXX understand the energy and cost impacts of
passive strategies. XXX
P3 Buildings with NET ZERO ENERGY BALANCE
produce annually renewable energy equal to the
XXX building's annual loads not met by passive
design.XXX
P4 Estimate the building's ENERGY USE
INTENSITY (EUI) to compare its energy
XXX use to the energy target.  XXX
P5 EMISSIONS TARGETS set goals to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel
consumption, relative to benchmarks for
building's type and climate. XXX
P6 CARBON NEUTRAL BUILDINGS use no
greenhouse gas emitting energy to operate.
XXX Calculate the building's carbon use intensity
(CUI) and compare its performance to the
building's emission target. XXX
XXX
PART VIII DETAILED DESIGN STRATEGIES  XX
See SWL Electronic contents.

PART IX DETAILED ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES  XX

See SWL Electronic contents.

Appendicesxxx
A Abbreviations and Unit Conversions XXX
B Glossary XXX
C Bibliography, SWL Printed only XXX

Indicesxxx
• Subject XXX
• Designers and Precedents XXX
• Design Tools XXX

45
 Part I NAVIGATION
See SWL Printed contents.

Part II USING SUN, WIND & LIGHT

See SWL Printed contents.

Part III SYNERGIES

NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed

See SWL Printed contents.

Part IV BUNDLES
See SWL Printed. See also list by levels in Part VIII.

Part V FAVORITE DESIGN TOOLS, condensed

See SWL Printed contents.

Part VI FAVORITE DESIGN STRATEGIES,

condensed
See SWL Printed contents.

Part VII HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS

See SWL Printed contents.

Part VIII DETAILED DESIGN STRATEGIES

Includes Bundles in the sequence of levels.

46
 SWL Electronic Contents
Level 9: n e i g h b o r h o o d s
BUNDLES Located in SWL Printed
B1 A NEIGHBORHOOD OF LIGHT configures urban
fabric in response to climate to provide daylight
access for all buildings and the spaces between.
[daylighting]XX
B2 A COOLING NEIGHBORHOOD configures urban
fabric in response to climate to promote
passive cooling for all buildings and the
spaces between. [cooling] XX
B3 A SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD configures urban
fabric in response to climate to promote the
use of solar power and heating of all
buildings and the spaces between. [heating] XX
B4 INTEGRATED URBAN PATTERNS of streets and
blocks can be oriented and sized to integrate
concerns for light, sun and shade according to
the priorities of the climate. [heating, cooling
and daylighting]  XX
* All of the SWL Printed material is also included in electronic format
detailed*
viii.A Building Groups ScaleXX
Level 8: u r b a n f a b r i c
STREETS, OPEN SPACES, AND BUILDINGS:
Radial Organizations
1 CONVERGING VENTILATION CORRIDORS of
streets or open space can take advantage
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
of cool air drainage and night thermal
currents. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
Compact Organizations
2 SHARED SHADE: Buildings can be arranged to
shade each other and adjacent exterior
spaces. [cooling]  XXX
Orientation and Location
3 Favorable TOPOGRAPHIC MICROCLIMATES can be
used to locate building groups.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
Shape, Size and Type
4 Design for DAYLIGHT DENSITY by configuring
streets, blocks and building massing to
support light to each building. [daylighting] XXX
in SWL Electronic. 47
 Shape and Orientation
5 CLIMATIC ENVELOPES organize urban building
mass as the intersection of volumes for
protecting access to light and winter sun
and/or summer shade. [heating, cooling
and daylighting]
STREETS AND BUILDINGS:
Thin Organizations
6 GLAZED STREETS provide light to each
building organized to face them. [daylighting] XXX
Dispersed and Compact Organizations
7 LOOSE URBAN PATTERNS maximize cooling
breezes in hot climates, while DENSE URBAN
PATTERNS minimize winter winds in heating
climates. [heating and cooling] 
Shape and Orientation
8 GRADUAL HEIGHT TRANSITIONS of building
groups, sloped in the direction of prevailing
winds, minimize wind movement in streets.
[heating] 
OPEN SPACES AND BUILDINGS:
Interwoven Organizations
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
Level 7: u r b a n e l e m e n t s
STREETS, OPEN SPACES, AND BUILDINGS:
Size and Type
13 DAYLIGHT BLOCKS can be enlarged to support
taller daylight buildings, more interior
XXX
daylight or darker skies [daylighting]. XXX
Shape and Orientation
14 DAYLIGHT ENVELOPES can be used to shape
and space buildings to assure adequate daylight
access to the street and adjacent buildings.
[daylighting]  XXX
15 SOLAR ENVELOPES can be used to insure access
to the sun. [heating and power]  XXX
16 The SHADOW UMBRELLA organizes building
XXX
mass and elements to shade open
space. [cooling] XXX
17 BREEZY or CALM STREETS oriented to the
prevailing wind maximize wind movement in
urban environments and increase the access of
XXX buildings to cross-ventilation. [cooling]  XXX
18 TALL BUILDING CURRENTS can be guided by
building shape to create favorable street and

9 Organizations of INTERWOVEN BUILDINGS open space microclimates. [heating and

and PLANTING can be used to reduce the
ambient air temperature. [cooling] 
10 Organizations of INTERWOVEN BUILDINGS and
WATER can be used to reduce the ambient air
temperature. [cooling] 
Shape and Orientation
11 WINTER COURTS that are sunny and wind-
protected can be formed by the location and
arrangement of buildings. [heating] 
12 NEIGHBORHOOD SUNSHINE can be insured
by appropriate configurations of buildings and
open space, given a street orientation.
[heating] 
cooling]  XXX
XXX OPEN SPACES AND BUILDINGS:
Dispersed Organizations
19 DISPERSED BUILDINGS with continuous and
XXX wide open spaces preserve each building's
access to breezes. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
Elongated Organizations
20 EAST–WEST ELONGATED BUILDING GROUPS
XXX spaced in the north–south direction maximize
solar gain while insuring solar access to each
building. [heating]  XXX
Edges
XXX
21 WINDBREAKS can be used to create edges
that shelter buildings and open spaces.
[heating and cooling]  XXX

48
22 GREEN EDGES of irrigated vegetation can be
formed to cool incoming breezes. [cooling]  XXX
Layers
23 A layer of OVERHEAD SHADES can protect
outdoor spaces and buildings from the high
sun. [cooling] 
iiiv.B Building Scale XXX
Level 6: w h o l e b u i l d i n g s
B5 A DAYLIGHT BUILDING is organized to light
itself with the sky using a family of strategies
fit to place and purpose. [daylighting]
B6 A PASSIVELY COOLED BUILDING is organized
to cool itself with site resources using a family
of strategies fit to place and purpose. [cooling] XX
B7 A PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDING is organized to
heat itself with the sun using a family of
strategies fit to place and purpose. [heating]
B8 Comfortable OUTDOOR MICROCLIMATES adjacent
to buildings use a family of strategies fit to
place and outdoor use. [heating and cooling] XX
B12 A RESPONSIVE ENVELOPE regulates comfort
and energy use by adapting to changing
patterns of sun, light and air movement.
[cooling, heating, lighting, ventilation
and power]
Level 5: r o o m o r g a n i z at i o n s
ROOMS AND COURTYARDS:
Zoned Organizations
24 MIGRATION: Rooms and courts can be zoned so
that activities can take place in cooler areas
during warm periods and warmer areas during
cool periods of the day or season.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
25 PERIODIC TRANSFORMATIONS of space help
the building adapt in response to changing
environmental conditions. [heating,
cooling and daylighting]
26 Rooms can be grouped into COOLING ZONES
based on similar cooling requirements,
facilitating the use of the same cooling
strategies at the same time. [cooling and
ventilation]XX
27 A MIXED MODE BUILDING is organized to
XXX
make use of passive, active and hybrid space
conditioning systems in different parts of the
building and at different times of the day and
year. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
28 Rooms can be organized into HEATING ZONES
based on their needs for heating and whether
XX or not they can make use of internal heat
sources. [heating]  XX
29 BUFFER ZONES locate rooms that can tolerate
temperature swings between protected rooms
and undesired heat or cold, and can temper
fresh ventilation air before it enters the
occupied space. [heating and cooling]  XXX
XX
Open Organizations
30 PERMEABLE BUILDINGS combine open plans
and sections for cross-ventilation, stack-
ventilation or both. [cooling and ventilation] XXX
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
ROOMS AND COURTYARDS:
Differential Organizations
31 BORROWED DAYLIGHT is possible when small
XX rooms are organized adjacent to larger or
taller daylighted rooms. [daylighting]  XXX
Location and Orientation
32 LOCATING OUTDOOR ROOMS in relation to sun
and wind can extend the seasons of outdoor
comfort. [heating and cooling]  XXX
Shape and Enclosure
33 An ATRIUM BUILDING with a glazed or unglazed
light court within can provide light to
surrounding interior rooms. [daylighting] XXX
ROOMS:
XXX
49
 Compact Organizations
34 CLUSTERED ROOMS reduce skin area, thus
heat loss and gain. [heating and cooling]  XXX
Thin Organizations
35 THIN PLAN room arrangements will have
daylight available for each space.
[day­lighting] XXX
36 Long EAST–WEST PLAN arrangements increase
winter sun–facing skin available to collect
solar radiation. [heating and cooling]  XXX
Thick Organizations
37 DEEP SUN in thick buildings depends on
effective pathways organized in plan and
section. [heating]  XXX
38 A SKYLIGHT BUILDING admits light from
above to daylight thick plans and top floors.
[daylighting]XXX
Zoned Organizations
39 MOVING HEAT TO COLD ROOMS fits the
distribution strategy to the building's room
organization and solar system type. [heating] XX
40 STRATIFICATION ZONES organize rooms
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
vertically within buildings to take advantage
of temperature stratification. [heating and
cooling]XXX
41 DAYLIGHT ZONES arrange rooms so that
activities that need higher lighting levels are
near windows while activities that need less
light arefarther from daylight sources.
[daylighting]  XXX
42 CONVECTIVE LOOPS can induce distribution
by high and low air paths between rooms
that collect heat and adjacent cooler rooms.
[heating]XXX
50
Level 4: t h e r o o m
ROOMS AND COURTYARDS:
Orientation
43 ROOMS FACING the SUN and WIND increase
the effectiveness of solar heating and
cross-ventilation. [heating, cooling and
ventilation]  XXX
Shape and Enclosure
44 Air flow through CROSS-VENTILATION ROOMS
is increased by open plans and uninterrupted
pathways between windward inlets and
leeward outlets. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
45 WIND CATCHERS can capture breezes above
roof level for buildings whose windows
have little access to wind. [cooling and
ventilation]  XXX
46 EVAPORATIVE COOLING TOWERS can supply
cool air to rooms without the use of fans or
wind. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
47 A TOPLIGHT ROOM's proportions and surfaces
can be designed to light the room or to also
provide light to adjacent rooms. [daylighting] XXX
ROOMS:
Shape and Enclosure
48 DIRECT GAIN ROOMS are open to collect the
sun and store heat within a space. [heating]  XXX
49 SUNSPACES collect the sun's heat, store it
centrally, and distribute it to other rooms.
[heating]  XXX
50 THERMAL STORAGE WALLS collect and store
solar heat at the edge of a room. [heating]  XXX
51 THERMAL COLLECTOR WALLS and ROOFS
capture solar heat at the edge of a room in a
layer of air, which carries the heat to storage
in the building's interior structure. [heating]  XXX
52 ROOF PONDS collect and store heat and cold
in the ceiling plane of a room. [heating and
cooling]  XXX
53 Air flow though STACK VENTILATION ROOMS
rooms is increased by open sections and
unrestricted pathways between low inlets and
high outlets. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
54 NIGHT COOLED MASS uses thermal storage to
absorb heat from a room during the day and
then cool the mass at night with ventilation.
[cooling]  XXX
55 DAYLIGHT ROOM GEOMETRY controls the
pattern of daylight distribution within a
space. [daylighting] XXX
56 Create GLARE-FREE ROOMS by using interior
daylight reflection strategies and obscuring
the sources of light. [daylighting] [in SWL4].XXX
57 SIDELIGHT ROOM DEPTH less than 2-1/2 times
the height of the window head maintains a
minimum level of illumination and an even
distribution of light. [daylighting]  XXX
COURTYARDS:
Shape and Orientation
58 BREEZY COURTYARDS are low, wide and
permeable, while CALM COURTYARDS are closed
and tall enough for wind shelter, but wide
enough to admit sun. [heating and cooling]  XXX
59 SHADY COURTYARDS are tall and narrow and
can be used as cold air sinks. [cooling]  XXX
iiiv.C Building Parts Scale XX
Level 3: b u i l d i n g s y s t e m s
WALLS, ROOFS, AND FLOORS:
Orientation & Location
60 MASS ARRANGEMENT can be optimized for
solar heating, passive cooling or both. Thermal
mass can be located in rooms where sun is
collected, in adjacent rooms or outside of
rooms, remotely. [heating and cooling] XXX
Layers
61 WATER EDGES can be formed to cool incoming
breezes. [cooling]  XXX
Materials and Location
62 INSULATION OUTSIDE of the mass in the
envelope allows the mass to store heat from
the room and stabilize the interior air
temperature [heating and cooling]  XXX
WALLS AND ROOFS:
Layers
63 A LAYER OF SHADES overhead can protect the
courtyard and building from high sun, while
vertical shades can protect from low sun.
[cooling]  XXX
WALLS AND WINDOWS:
Size and Orientation
64 REFLECTED SUNLIGHT can be used for
daylighting in clear sky climates. [cooling
and daylighting]  XXX
ROOFS:
Shape, Color and Materials
65 An OPEN ROOF STRUCTURE reduces daylight
blockage in a toplight room. [daylighting] XXX
66 A DAYLIGHT ROOF is designed to admit and
distribute light in desired quantity and
patterns to rooms below. [daylighting]  XXX
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
WINDOWS:
Location and Orientation
67 Ventilation, light and solar gain may be
accommodated with SEPARATED OR COMBINED
OPENINGS. [heating, cooling, ventilation and
daylighting]  XXX
68 WINDOW PLACEMENT can be organized to
admit and distribute light in desired patterns
to rooms. [daylighting] XXX
69 VENTILATION OPENINGS ARRANGEMENT can
be optimized to increase the rate of cross-
ventilation in a room and to move air across
occupants, increasing their rate of cooling.
[cooling and ventilation]  XXX
51
 Size and Orientation
70 WELL-PLACED WINDOWS can reduce winter
heat loss and summer heat gain. [heating
and cooling]  XXX
SYSTEMS:
Type and Organization
71 Select SYMPATHETIC HVAC SYSTEMS to support
the flexibility and sizing needed to maximize
the effectiveness of passive strategies
[heating, cooling and ventilation] [in SWL4]XXX
72 MECHANICAL DISTRIBUTION systems can be
used to connect sources and storage to rooms
with thermal needs and to integrate passive
heating and cooling strategies with mechanical
backup sources. [heating and cooling] XXX
Layered Organizations
73 ELECTRIC LIGHT ZONES can be layered parallel
to the window plane so that individual rows
can be switched on as needed. [daylighting]  XXX
Level 2: e l e m e n t s
WALLS, ROOFS, AND FLOORS:
Size and Materials
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
74 The building’s SKIN THICKNESS should be
sufficient to accommodate the required
insulation. [heating and cooling]  XXX
75 THERMAL MASS surfaces should be large
enough and thick enough to store adequate
heat and cold. [heating and cooling]  XXX
76 EARTH EDGES can be used to shelter buildings
from extremes of heat and cold and to meet a
portion of the building's cooling needs.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
77 RADIANT SURFACES can change the
perception of comfort and deliver passive or
active heating and cooling.
[Heating and Cooling] [in SWL4]XXX
52
WALLS AND ROOFS:
Size, Orientation and Materials
78 Orient PHOTOVOLTAIC WALLS and ROOFS to
collect sun and make them large enough to
meet the building's electric load. [power]  XXX
79 SOLAR HOT WATER systems require roofs that
are large enough as well as sloped and
oriented to collect sun. [power]  XXX
80 Sunny BREATHING WALLS can preheat fresh
air for ventilation. [heating and ventilation]  XXX
Shape and Material
81 Roofs and walls can be used as SOLAR
REFLECTORS to increase the radiation
entering sun-collecting glazing. [heating]  XXX
Walls and Windows:
Shape and Color
82 LOW CONTRAST between the window frame
and adjacent walls will reduce glare.
[daylighting]  XXX
ROOFS AND WINDOWS:
Shape and Color
83 SKYLIGHT WELLS can be shaped to distribute
daylight to rooms. [daylighting]  XXX
WINDOWS:
Size
84 SOLAR APERTURES that collect sun can be
enlarged to increase the percentage of the
annual heating requirement supplied by solar
energy. [heating]  XXX
85 DAYLIGHT APERTURES can be enlarged to
increase interior illumination levels.
[daylighting]  XXX
86 VENTILATION APERTURES sizing for cross-
ventilation is proportional to the wind velocity,
and for stack ventilation, is proportional to
vertical distance between high and low
openings. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
87 The area of AIR FLOW WINDOWS used to temper
fresh air for ventilation supply or reclaim heat
from ventilation exhaust can be sized to match
the ventilation load. [heating, cooling and
ventilation]  XXX
Layers
88 LIGHT SHELVES can be used to shade view
glazing, evenly distribute light, increase light
levels away from windows, and reduce glare.
[daylighting and cooling]  XXX
89 A MOVABLE INSULATION layer placed over
windows reduces heat loss at night. [heating] XXX
90 DAYLIGHT ENHANCING SHADES protect
windows from solar gain while preserving sky
view, reflecting daylight, and reducing glare.
[cooling and daylighting]  XXX
91 An EXTERNAL SHADING layer outside the
window shades the glazing and reduces solar
heat gain. [cooling]  XXX
92 An INTERNAL SHADING layer behind the
window or an IN-BETWEEN SHADING layer
separating two glazing panes reduces solar
heat gain. [cooling] XXX
LIGHTING:
Concentrated and Distributed Organization
93 Electric TASK LIGHTING can be used for
localized, high illumination requirements and
daylight for ambient lighting. [daylighting and
power]  XXX
STORAGE:
Location and Size
94 ROCK BEDS located remote from the occupied
space can be used to increase the amount of
heat and cold that can be effectively stored.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
DISTRIBUTION:
Size and Configuration
95 MECHANICAL MASS VENTILATION can be used
to ensure adequate air movement past the
building's thermal storage, thereby improving
its cooling or heating potential.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
96 MECHANICAL SPACE VENTILATION can be
used to cool the building and people during
times when natural ventilation forces are
weak. [cooling and ventilation]  XXX
97 DUCTS and PLENUMS can be used to move
heat to cool parts of the building and cold to
hot parts of the building. [heating, cooling
and ventilation]  XXX
98 EARTH–AIR HEAT EXCHANGERS can temper
incoming ventilation air in all seasons and
help cool the building in summer. [heating,
cooling and ventilation]  XXX
EQUIPMENT:
Type
99 AIR–AIR HEAT EXCHANGERS can be used to
reclaim heat or cold from the ventilation air.
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, detailed
[heating, cooling and ventilation]  XXX
100 HEAT PUMPS can be used to move heat or cold
from interior rooms to a source or sink outside
or in the ground. [heating, cooling, and
ventilation] [in SWL4]XXX
CONTROLS:
Type
101 MANUAL OR AUTOMATED CONTROLS for lighting
and HVAC can be selected to increase user
satisfaction and comfort while maximize the
effectiveness of passive strategies [heating,
cooling, ventilation, and daylighting] XXX
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WALLS, ROOFS AND FLOORS:
Color
102 A high value for MASS SURFACE ABSORPTANCE
absorbs radiation for thermal storage, while
reflective non-massive surfaces redirect
radiation to mass. [heating]  XXX
103 DAYLIGHT REFLECTING SURFACES that are
light colored increase the lighting level in
the space. [daylighting]  XXX
104 EXTERIOR SURFACE COLOR can be dark in
cold climates to absorb radiation and light
in hot climates to reflect radiation.
[heating and cooling]  XXX
WALLS AND ROOFS:
Materials
105 DOUBLE SKIN MATERIALS can be selected to
reflect solar heat gain and avoid transmitting
heat to the inner layer. [cooling]  XXX
WINDOWS:
Material
106 GLASS TYPES can be selected to balance
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
concerns for daylighting, winter solar gain
and summer shading. [heating, cooling and
daylighting]  XXX
Part IX DETAILED ANALYSIS
TECHNIQUES XX
ix.A Climate as a Context XX
Sun
A1 The SUNDIAL used with a model simulates the
changing position of sun and shade over the
course of the day and throughout the year.  XXX
A2 The SUN PATH DIAGRAM, with existing site
objects plotted, can determine the times of
the day and year in which the sun will be
available on a particular site.  XXX
54
A3 SOLAR RADIATION available each hour can be
used to determine times when comfort can be
achieved outdoors and to estimate potential
for solar heating in buildings. XXX
Wind
A4 A WIND ROSE characterizes the direction,
speed and frequency of wind in a particular
location by month or year.  XXX
A5 The WIND SQUARE represents patterns of wind
direction and speed by time of day and month
of the year for a particular location.  XXX
A6 Use AIR MOVEMENT PRINCIPLES to adjust
airport wind data to approximate wind flow
on a site.  XX
Sun and Wind
A7 The SITE MICROCLIMATE most favorable for
locating buildings can be determined by
analyzing the combined availability of sun
and wind.  XXX
Light
A8 Plotting SKY COVER can determine the
dominant daylighting design condition
for each month. XXX
A9 DAYLIGHT AVAILABILITY data can be used to
determine required daylight factors for design.  XX
A10 The effect of DAYLIGHT OBSTRUCTIONS on a
site can be estimated using daylight dot charts
in conjunction with a sun path diagram.  XXX
A11 Calculate DESIGN DAYLIGHT FACTOR to set a
target for daylight design. XXX
Comfort
A12 TEMPERATURE & RELATIVE HUMIDITY data can
be used to evaluate the need for heating and
cooling over the course of the year, and can
indicate strategies that are well-suited to the
climate. [in SWL4]  XX
A13 The ADAPTIVE COMFORT CRITERIA expand the
period of passive cooling effectiveness in
naturally ventilated buildings. XXX
ix.B Program and Use  XX
Occupancy
A14 ENERGY PROGRAMMING groups together spaces
with similar heating, cooling, ventilation or
lighting requirements to increase the efficiency
of passive and active strategies. XXX
A15 LOAD-RESPONSIVE SCHEDULING bases high
and low occupancy periods around climatic
conditions to minimize loads. XXX
A16 Estimate OCCUPANCY HEAT GAIN to understand
the contribution of people to the building’s
heating and cooling requirements.  XXX
Electric Lighting
A17 Estimate ELECTRIC LIGHTING HEAT GAIN to
understand its contribution to the building’s
heating and cooling requirements.  XXX
Equipment
A18 Estimate EQUIPMENT HEAT GAIN to understand
its contribution to the building’s heating and
cooling requirements.  XXX
A19 ELECTRIC LOADS required for sizing photovoltaic
surfaces can be estimated from data on
commercial and residential electricity
consumption.  XXX
A20 SERVICE HOT WATER LOADS required for sizing
solar hot water systems can be estimated from end
use consumption data.  XXX
xi.C Form and Envelope XX
A21 Estimate SKIN HEAT FLOW to understand its
contribution to the building’s heating and
cooling requirements.  XXX
A22 Estimate WINDOW SOLAR GAIN to understand
the sun’s contribution to the building’s heating
and cooling requirements.  XXX
A23 Estimate VENTILATION or INFILTRATION GAIN
and LOSS to understand their contribution to
the building's heating and cooling
requirements.  XXX
ix.D Combining Climate, Program, and FormXX
Design Strategies
A24 The BIOCLIMATIC CHART identifies potential
passive solar heating and cooling strategies
appropriate to the building's climate.  XXX
A25 EARTH CONTACT effectiveness for load
reduction and as a heat sink depends on
regional climate. XXX
Heating and Cooling Patterns
A26 SHADING CALENDAR times and dates plotted
on the sun path diagram determine sun
angles that require shade.  XXX
A27 TOTAL HEAT GAINS can be estimated to
determine the loads used to size passive
cooling strategies; TOTAL HEAT LOSSES can
be compared against energy conservation
criteria.  XXX
A28 BALANCE POINT TEMPERATURE: The outside
temperature at which the building makes a
transition from a heating need to a cooling
need determines when heating and cooling
are required. XXX
A29 BALANCE POINT PROFILES: The characteristics
NAVIGATION: SWL Electronic Contents, Detailed
of the climate, the building’s use and the
building's form can be used to develop daily
heating and cooling patterns that represent the
building’s performance over a year and help
identify climatic design strategies. XX
Appendices
Appendices located in SWL Electronic:
D Climate Data by Latitude/City xxx
E Additional Climate Data xxx
F Bibliography (SWL Electronic) xxx
Bibliography, SWL Electronic only xxx
Indices (see SWL Printed)xxx
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