CLIMATE RESPONSIVE

ARCHITECTURE
Climate responsive design in the tropics: Principles and
its application; Active and passive systems. Learning
from vernacular experience: Study of vernacular
influence and local architecture as response to climatic
conditions with emphasis on Kerala context, Case
studies from India and various tropical countries.
 VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE CLIMATE OF INDIA
• Vernacular architecture is a category of
architecture based on localized needs and
construction materials and reflecting local
traditions

• Vernacular architecture is influenced by:

• needs and requirements of the residents
• Local construction material
• Local traditions and culture
• Hence varies from place to place

• It is an epitome of place to which it belongs

and cannot be imported from elsewhere

• Vernacular building design takes the

advantage of natural sources such as sun and
wind to achieve comfort conditions within the
building.
FIVE MAJOR CLIMATIC ZONES:
• The study and analysis of vernacular • Hot and dry climate
architecture will give us an understanding on • warm and humid climate
how architecture can act as a design response • Composite climate
to the prevailing site condition, climate and • Moderate climate
culture. • Cold and dry climate
 HOT DRY CLIMATE
• The climate of Hot and Dry climate zones is
characterized by
• high temperatures at around 40-500 C (The
temperatures vary sharply during the day and
night, and also across the seasons)
• scarce rainfall
• low humidity,
• winds and dust storms are prevalent
• Hot winds are replaced by cold winds during
the winters.
Mud houses Egypt • The solar radiation intensity is high with less
diffused radiation due to clear sky conditions.
• Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh fall under this zone

Marrakech, morocco BHUNGA HUTS OF KUTCH

 BUILDING CHARACTERSTICS
• The traditional shelter found in most desert
regions has heavy walls of earth, brick or stone
and roofs of the same material, often vaulting
or supported by a few timber.

• Thick walls provide good thermal capacity, as

well as security and protection .

• These structures tend to be too hot at night

during prolonged hot seasons. At these times
roofs and courtyards are frequently used for
sleeping out-of-doors.

• Rooms are often built around a central

courtyard, which provides a relatively cool
private outdoor space for family activities.

• Windows and door openings are small in size

and few in number. Windows are usually
located high on the walls, admitting little heat
and dust, reducing ground glare.

• ventilation is often inadequate for the

purposes of night-time cooling
TRADITIONAL BHUNGA HUTS OF KUTCH
• Circular shape and made of mud walls and
thatched roof. .
• Thatched roof is made of wooden top dome
using bamboo sticks which are tied together
with dried grass rope.
• Walls of a Bhunga are also made of bamboo
sticks which are tied by grass ropes.
• Then cow dung and mud are used as the wall
plaster to make them beautiful and strong.
• These structures can withstand earthquakes
• The circular form ensures min exposure to
external elements. p/a ratio is a minimum
• They are built around open courtyard like
spaces forming clusters
• Small openings control entry of light, heat and
winds
• Thorny bushes envelop the settlement and act
as fence or protective shield against the hot
winds and dust storms.
 JAISALMER CITY
• Close group of buildings
• Narrow, irregular roads and
streets
• Arcades and colonnades
• Small enclosed courtyards.
• Light colour surfaces.
• Two basic types of traditional shelters are WARM HUMID CLIMATE
found in warm-humid climates. a) the earth
walled house, and b) the timber or bamboo • The climate of warm humid zones is
house (often raised on stilts) characterized by relatively high temperatures at
• Both housed have roof framed in timber, around 30-350 C , high rainfall and high
bamboo or palm frond and covered with humidity, 70-90% throughout the year.
thatch. Broad overhanging eaves shade the • The temperatures remain even during the day
walls. and across the year, thus winds are light or
• The intense, heavy rains are likely to erode absent for long durations.
the bases and surfaces of earth walls, • Since the humidity levels are high, heavy
therefore annual maintenance is essential. precipitation, being 1200 mm per year or more,
• In regions more favoured with timber or and storms occur on a frequent basis.
where earth is unsuitable for building, the • The solar radiation intensity is high with more
traditional shelter is often elevated on stilts diffused radiation due to high cloud cover.
and is constructed from local timber or a
bamboo frame with open-weave matting,
timber or split bamboo walls, floors, doors
and shutters.
• Thatch or built up layers of leaves cover a
bamboo or timber roof-frame, which usually
has broad overhanging eaves.
• The lightweight timber construction holds
little heat and cools adequately at night. The
elevated position provides a better security
and better air movement.
Bamboo houses of assam
 THE TRADITIONAL THAI HOUSE
• Because of the tides the Thai people
construct their houses with living spaces on
the first floor and use the ground floor space
for storage and daytime activities
• Open high-pitched roof that facilitates air
The traditional Thai house is ideally adapted
circulation. Rainwater runs off the steep roof
toquickly
its environment. Open high-pitched roof
and falls through the permeable
that facilitates
terrace air circulation.
and house floors. Wide Open windows
overhanging
and walls
eaves in combination
protect the house from withsun
a large central
and rain.
• terrace provideand
Open windows ideal ventilation
walls and offer
in combination with
relief from the
a large hot and
central humidprovide
terrace climate. ideal
Wide
ventilation and
overhanging offerprotect
eaves relief from the hotfrom
the house and
humid
sun andclimate.
rain. Rainwater runs off the steep
• The use of wood and bamboo are materials
roof quickly and falls through the permeable
ubiquitously and cheaply available
terrace and house floors. The use of wood
and bamboo reflects the once abundant
forests that provided these materials
ubiquitously and cheaply.
 BAMBOO HOUSES OF ASSAM
• The bamboo houses of assam are designed to
combat the heavy monsoons.
• The floor of the house is a bamboo weave
raised on stilts, and allows the water of a
flood to flow in, rather than keep it out.
• The roof of the house is built with local grass
and can last upto 10 years before it is
replaced again.
• The bamboo weave makes both walls and
floors breathe allowing a cross-ventilation all
over. There is also natural light.
• The woven bamboo loft allows the clay pots
and pans to be held easily.
• An earth plastering is often done over a close-
knit bamboo wall for further protection.
 COMPOSITE CLIMATIC
• The composite climatic zone is characterized by
large seasonal variations.
• The peak temperatures reach a maximum of 32-
430 C during daytime in summers and cold
winters with temperatures between 4 to 100C
at night .
• Similarly a high contrast in humidity is
experienced in the dry and monsoon periods,
with relative humidity rising up to 95% in the
wet period.
• The temperatures show diurnal variation
between 10-120 C during the day, thus winds
are hot and dusty during the summers and dry
cold winds during the winters.
• The regions experience heavy precipitation,
between 500- 1300 mm per year or more.
• The solar radiation intensity is high with more
diffused radiation due to high cloud cover
• The main difference between, composite
regions and hot dry zones is higher humidity
levels during monsoons, otherwise most of the
characteristics are similar. Thus, the design
criteria is almost similar except that cross-
ventilation is desirable in the monsoon period.
 MUD HUTS OF JHARKHAND
• JHARKHAND
• Climate classification: Composite
• Main seasons:
Summer: Day temp.: 14-33 oC, night: 27-32oC
Winter: Day temp.: 10-25 oC, night: 3-10oC
Monsoon from July to Sept.
• RH- 20–25% in dry and 55–95% in wet periods
• Precipitation: 500–1300 mm/year
• Winds: SE winds and dry cold winds from NE
during monsoons and hot dusty winds in
summer
• Cloud cover: Overcast and dull in the monsoon,
clear in winter and frequently hazy in summer.

Reduction of Ideal Design Strategy in

solar heat gain Composite Climate
Small P/A ratio Square plan, Low Wall Height
Shading Clustering of houses, Courtyard
type planning
Shading by veg. Deciduous trees
Shading by Shading by roof projection, sun-
overhangs shades, fins
Openings Small openings
 MUD HUTS OF JHARKHAND

• Walls: mud, sticks, grass and pebbles.

• Roofs: thatch or burnt clay tiles.
• Layout: arranged in a linear pattern along the
main street of a village
• Boundary: fence of bamboo or shrubs made
demarcation between street and courtyard
• Openings: Main door was the only opening.
• Windows were small and placed high for
ventilation. Also served to keep the hot
summer sun and cold winter winds out.
• Plinth: raised platform made of compacted
earth. The high thermal mass helped to keep
the house cool in the evenings in the summer
and warm during winters
• Courtyard: prime space of the house. Used for
outdoor eating, washing utensils, drying
clothes and crops.
• In winter the courtyard provided sunlight at
the center of the house enabling heat to most
parts of the house and radiating heat at night
heating the adjoining rooms.
• During summers the courtyard acted as a
thermal chimney to let the warm air escape
the house and draw cooler air from outside.
 TEMPERATE CLIMATE VERNACULAR HOUSES OF BANGALORE
• The temperate climate has mild to warm
summers and cool winters. The need for winter
• The climate of Temperate zones is characterized
heating is more than summer cooling
by moderate temperatures at around 30-340 C
during the day and 17-240 C at night.
• In winters , the maximum temperature reaches
33 0 C during the day and 180C at night.
• High humidity between 55-90 % during the
monsoons, whereas, humidity remains low at
20-55% during the rest of the months.
• Since the humidity levels are high in monsoons,
heavy precipitation, exceeding 1000 mm per • Building material used: stone with lime, lime
year is experienced concrete and Mangalore tile over timber truss
• The temperatures vary during the day in • Reduction of solar heat gain by orienting
summers , thus winds are high. bedrooms towards north, shading east and
• The solar radiation intensity is high with more west wall by adjacent buildings and shading
direct radiation due to clear sky conditions walls and windows with projecting stone slabs

• Kitchens are placed in

the indoors in winter
and outside in
summer.
• Insulating roof keeps
off the summer sun
 VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF KULLU REGION
COLD CLIMATIC
• Climate classification: Cold and cloudy
• Main seasons:
The northern hilly regions of India are covered Summer: Mar to June (Max.tem. 14oC to 33 oC),
under this climatic zone. The zone can further Winter: Dec to Feb (Max.Tem. 2oC to 6 oC),
categorized into: Monsoon from July to Sept.
COLD AND CLOUDY :
• chilly winters (4 to 80C) and pleasant summer ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER OF KULLU REGION:
conditions. • Ground floor is generally used for livestock and
• solar radiation is low with more diffused the habitable spaces on the first floor
radiation • Kitchen is planned in internal core of the
• relative humidity is generally high at 70 – 80%. building to keep the surrounding spaces warm
• The region experiences heavy precipitation • Low volume spaces used to provide thermal
• cold winds during the winter period. comfort at less energy consumption.
• Glass covered balconies act as sunspace
COLD AND SUNNY : • Balconies also used as storage space for
• The climate of this zone is characterized by fodder; this fodder increases the thermal mass
chilly winters with intense solar radiation (max. and act as an insulating surface.
Temp. between -7 to 80C during the day and dips to - • Lofts under the pitched roof, used as storage
140C at night.) ‘Cold Desert’. space and provides thermal insulation
• relative humidity is low at 10 – 50% • Slope of the roof allows the snow to fall off
• low precipitation , less than, 200 mm per year where as the flatter part holds some snow
and occasional intense winds which acts as an insulation layer
• The sky is mostly clear with less than 50% cloud • Cuboidal stacking along contours for max
cover throughout the year. sunlight
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF LEH,LADAKH
• Climate classification: Cold and sunny
• Main seasons:
Summer: day:Max.tem. 17to24 oC, night:4-11 oC
Winter: Day:Max.Tem. 7to9 oC, night: -14 to 0oC
RH: 10-50%, WINDS: occationally intense,
SKY: clear, CLOUD COVER: Less than 50%
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
• Heavy mud walls and well insulated roof
dampen the variations the indoor
temperatures.
• Wooden beams and floor joists across the
walls to support the first floor
• Flat roofs made of treated mud over wooden
boards. Waterproofing unnecessary since it
scarcely rains.
• Ground floor used for stables, first floor for the
family.
• Houses located on the slopes to increase the
time duration of sun.
• Houses stacked so that 2or 3 sides are shared
with other houses to reduce heat loss
• Vertical stacking of buildings ensures sunlight
to all houses.
 VERNACULAR MODERN
• High mass • Low thermal mass to volume ratio
• Stack effect and night sky radiation through • Use of high transmittance material such as glass
courtyards • Use of materials with high conductivity
• Use of insulating and low conductivity materials • Direct exposure of huge mass to short wave
• High mass to volume ratio radiation.
• Low surface area to volume ratio (compact) • Depend on complicated and wasteful heating
• Vernacular always sought co-existence with and cooling systems to provide thermally
natural conditions comfortable interiors
• Used natural resources efficiently
• Used local materials and construction
techniques, employing the skills of craftsman.
• Considered orientation, building form, and
suitability of building elements: roof, windows
and walls
CONCLUSION

• Understanding about the vernacular architecture of a particular region would give us an

insight on how architecture can function in perfect harmony with nature.
• The climate responsive architecture helps in maintaining good indoor environmental quality
and also provides us with some infallible methods and techniques of maintaining human
comfort conditions.
• These techniques when integrated with current technologies can help in providing maximum
comfort to occupants with minimum use of energy.

ASSIGNMENT
• Do a study on the vernacular architecture of Kerala
• Examine and enlist 3 to 5 features and describe their significance
• Provide visual descripton
• Suggest possible adaptations of the vernacular features in todays context
• Put all of the above I 3-4 slides and submit in google classroom
 Vernacular Kerala Architecture:
Analyzing climate responsive architecture

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
• Vernacular architecture is the style of architecture which takes into account all
the needs and requirements of the residents, nature, construction materials
and also mirrors the traditions and culture.
• Traditional building design takes the advantage of natural sources such as sun
and wind to achieve comfort conditions within the building. The basic idea is to
tap the available resources to provide comfort when and where required by
close interaction with the dynamic conditions of the external environment.
• The study and analysis of vernacular architecture will give us an understanding
on how architecture can act as a design response to the prevailing site
condition, climate and culture.

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TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE OF KERALA

• Kerala which spans between 8º18’N to 12º48‘N latitude and 74º52E to 72

º22’E longitude has a warm and humid climate as per the National building
code. Kerala which is on the south west coast of India lies between the Arabian
sea on the west and Western Ghats on the east which makes it fall under the
belt of monsoon zone, and experiences seasonal changes in solar radiation and
wind direction.
• The predominant wind direction is from south-west to north east.
• The temperature of Kerala varies between 21 º C to 33 º C and relative
humidity varies from 65% to 70%.
• Kerala climate can be divided distinctly into two seasons, rainy season and non-
rainy season.
• The rainy season which lasts about six months occurs due to south-west
monsoon from June to August and north-east monsoon from Oct–Nov. The
winters and summers come under non-rainy seasons.

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CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS-WARM AND HUMID CLIMATE

Major considerations for achieving thermal comfort in a warm and humid region
like Kerala involves coping up issues such as:
• High humidity-Presence of excess moisture in the atmosphere
• Intense solar radiation
• High temperature
• Excess rainfall

This can be done by :

1) maximizing the air circulation by providing fenestrations and courtyards and
2) enhancing the stack effect, so that there is constant flow of air into the house
3) minimizing heat gain by providing appropriate shading devices for
fenestrations as well as walls.

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RESIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION

Vernacular residential forms of Kerala can be categorized into four types namely
rectangular I shaped shelter belonging to tribal people, Rectangular single-hall
building (Ekashala) with Granary (Ara), Traditional courtyard house (Nalukettu).

Rectangular hall I shaped shelter

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RESIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION

Ekashala with Ara Ekashala with courtyard like extension

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RESIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION

Nalukettu

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 ANALYSIS OF NALUKETTU FOR CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE

Creteria for analysis

• Site planning and spatial organization
• Materials specifications
• Building envelope

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 Site Planning and Spatial Organization
• Most of the nalukettu are located amidst a large expanse of land which is thickly
vegetated. This allows for unobstructed air flow and the vegetation cover helps in
reducing the heat gain from solar radiation into the buildings
• Spatial planning of a nalukettu revolves around a central courtyard.
• The entrance usually from south or east side.
• The rooms are sandwiched between two verandahs one exterior and one interior.
The external verandah running along the building footprint acts as a buffer space
reducing direct heat entry into the living spaces.
• The internal verandah which is the major circulation spine of the building acts as
buffer space dissipating and distributing light and air coming from courtyard into
the building.
• High plinths are provided to prevent moisture entering from ground.

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 • The rooms which are used during day such the semi open space which functions
as living room and the entrance which also functions as a drawing room are
placed on the south east and southern side respectively. Projected eaves reduce
solar heat gain on southern side.
• Since the prevailing wind direction is from South west to north east, kitchen is
usually located at the north-east corner to avoid the spreading of hot air from
kitchen to other spaces.

• The courtyard acts as a microclimate modifier. During the day due to the heat gain
a low pressure is developed in the courtyard. Due to this an air movement is
induced from outside. This helps in maintaining constant air circulation within the
building thus helps in coping up with the humid conditions and enhancing thermal
comfort.

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 Materials
The materials used for construction vary across the different regions of Kerala. But
the major materials used are laterite, granite stone, wood, clay roof tiles and
bamboo. All these materials are locally available and have low thermal capacity.

Mud mortar is used as a binding element and mud is used for making wall, clay
tiles etc. Red oxide flooring is used for interiors and unfinished granite stone
flooring for exteriors . The roughness of granite stone reduces reflectivity.
These materials as per GRIHA code criteria comes under low environmental
impact materials.
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 Building envelope
Wall: Exposed laterite having a rough surface are used for external walls as these
have self-shading properties, thus reducing the radiation falling on them. The
thermal mass of external wall is increased by using double layer of laterite masonry
with a cavity in between that is filled with sand, which helps in insulating the
interiors. Facades are painted with white or light colors to minimize the heat
absorption.
Roof:
High pitched roofs and large roof
overhangs are used to maximize
pressure difference which in turn
will maximize air flow. The pitched
roof is provided with a an attic acts
as an insulating layer preventing
conduction on external heat
through roof. This air space is
provided with openings to which
creates an escape route for hot air.
These steeped roof and deep eaves
helps in quick rainwater discharge.

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 Fenestration:
In typical nalukettu cross ventilation is enhanced by provision of fenestrations on
opposite walls. Various kinds of fenestrations are used ranging from typical two
paneled casement windows to wooden jaalis, arranged meticulously to cut off glare
and bring in diffused light and improve air movement.
These small perforations increase the velocity of air which passes through them and
allows deeper penetration of air which is very essential for thermal comfort in warm
and humid climate of Kerala.

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 Day lighting
Side lighting and top lighting strategies are
used to bring in daylight
Side lighting strategies are effective only if the
windows are open because the window panes
are made of wood. Heat gain through windows
is reduced as glazed surfaces are bare
minimum and this in turn reduces cooling load.

Shading devices for windows and walls reduce

solar heat gain. The eaves of the roofs are
projected out to act as a shading device for
the walls. For windows the sloping shading
devices matches the roof form.

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