SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Climatic considerations, Physiological objectives of Design

DR AVLOKITA AGRAWAL
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

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 Climate Responsive/ Bio-climatic Design
• A philosophy that implies using design strategies that are appropriate for the
context of the site.

• Emphasizes usage of technologies that are optimum on energy consumption,

effectively utilise the resources available readily, have minimum reliance on
conventional sources of energy and do not impact the environment inversely.

• Gives due consideration to the life-cycle assessment during the selection of

materials and resources and the impact of the same on the environment.

• Enhances occupant comfort, health and well-being while concurrently achieving

the aims and objectives of sustainable and holistic development.

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World Climate Zones
Climate Zones of India

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LEGEND
Hot-Dry
Warm-Humid
Composite
Temperate
Cold

Source:
Energy Conservation
Building Code User
Guide
Reprinted-April 2011

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 Hot and Dry Climate

Temperature:- Typically high temperatures in

day time and low in night times
Maximum 40 to 45 deg C
Minimum 5 to 25 deg C
Humidity:- low Relative Humidity
low25 to 40 %
Precipitation:- less rainfall- the annual
precipitation being less than 500 mm.

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 Warm and Humid Climate

•Warm and Humid climate is characterized

by high relative humidity(around 70-90 %)
•Precipitation levels (about 1200 mm per
year.)
•The temperatures usually vary between 25–
35 ºC in summers; while in winters,
temperatures vary between 20–30 ºC.

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 Composite Climate

TEMPERATURE
In summer, 32-43ºC during day & 27-32ºC at night.
In Winter, 10-25ºC during day & 4-10ºC at night.
HUMIDITY
Humidity is 20-25% in dry periods and 55 – 95% in wet
periods
PRECIPITATION
Precipitation varies between 500-1300 mm per week. experienced in New Delhi, Kanpur, Allahabad etc.

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 Temperate / Moderate Climate

TEMPERATURE
In summer, 30-34ºC during day & 17-24ºC at night.
In Winter, 27-33ºC during day & 16-18ºC at night.
HUMIDITY
Humidity is low in winter and summer, varying from
20-55% & going upto 55-90% during monsoons.
PRECIPITATION
Precipitation is low. experienced in Bangalore, Pune etc .

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 Cold Climate

TEMPERATURE
Typically lower temperatures
HUMIDITY
humidity is generally low in cold and sunny climates
and high in Cold & Cloudy regions
PRECIPITATION
precipitation is generally less.
experienced in Shimla, Shillong, Leh etc,.

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Bio Climatic Chart

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 Mahoney's Tables
The Mahoney tables are a set of reference
tables used in architecture, used as a
guide to climate-appropriate design.

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• Air Temperatures. The max, min, and mean temperatures for each month are entered into this
table.
• Humidity, Precipitation, and Wind. The max, min, and mean figures for each month are entered
into this table, and the conditions for each month classified into a humidity group.
• Comparison of Comfort Conditions and Climate. The desired max/min temperatures are entered,
and compared to the climatic values from table 1. A note is made if the conditions create heat
stress or cold stress (i.e. the building will be too hot or cold).
• Indicators (of humid or arid conditions). Rules are provided for combining the stress (table 3) and
humidity groups (table 2) to check a box classifying the humidity and aridity for each month. For
each of six possible indicators, the number of months where that indicator was checked are added
up, giving a yearly total.
• Schematic Design Recommendations. The yearly totals in table 4 correspond to rows in this table,
listing schematic design recommendations, e.g. 'buildings oriented on east–west axis to reduce sun
exposure', 'medium-sized openings, 20%–40% of wall area'.
• Design Development Recommendations. Again the yearly totals from table 4 are used to read off
recommendations, e.g. 'roofs should be high-mass and well insulated'.

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Thank you

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