How Bioclimatic Design strategies can help in safeguarding our own future
Written by: Ar Sharvari Punde
Published on:15 December 2024
Published on:15 December 2024
The United Nations has expected the world’s urban population to reach 68% by 2050[1], a fact that corroborates exponential developmental growth around the globe. As the construction sector expands rapidly, the level of carbon dioxide emissions and global temperature also rises simultaneously, leaving us exposed to the threats of climatic change and catastrophic natural disasters. Globally, the construction of buildings demands 34% energy resources and contributes to 37% of carbon dioxide emissions – quite an eye-opening statistic[2]. We, at Atelier ARBO, believe in creating spaces that react positively with the environment and therefore would like to share our views on ‘Bioclimatic Architecture.’
Bioclimatic architecture, in simple words, is creating structures that practically safeguard the environment by implementing passive design strategies. It involves connecting the built space with nature and forming a harmonious balance that is advantageous to both humans and the sanctity of our environment. However, practically implementing the salient strategies of Bioclimatic design poses quite a few challenges.
Often opting for passive design strategies and making conscious design decisions that are a class apart from the conventional methods, can require increased amount of time, skilled labour, raised financial investments, and a higher patience threshold during the entire process of construction. But the results of incorporating smart techniques and a mindful selection of materials that lower the burden of our built spaces on the environment can prove to be worth the challenges faced.
Bioclimatic architecture, in simple words, is creating structures that practically safeguard the environment by implementing passive design strategies. It involves connecting the built space with nature and forming a harmonious balance that is advantageous to both humans and the sanctity of our environment. However, practically implementing the salient strategies of Bioclimatic design poses quite a few challenges.
Often opting for passive design strategies and making conscious design decisions that are a class apart from the conventional methods, can require increased amount of time, skilled labour, raised financial investments, and a higher patience threshold during the entire process of construction. But the results of incorporating smart techniques and a mindful selection of materials that lower the burden of our built spaces on the environment can prove to be worth the challenges faced.
A Conscious Choice of Materials
The boost of technology and innovation has influenced all sectors globally, including the construction and development field. New materials, proclaiming eco-friendly and environment-safe properties, are emerging rapidly, massively increasing the plethora of options. For example, a single visit to a construction and architecture exhibition (like the Acetech Exhibition held annually in Mumbai, India), opens up a vast array of choices in building materials of different companies and vendors. Experimentation and innovation are happening on an everyday basis leading to newer materials offering lucrative properties and features.
Amidst all this, when we choose materials for a project, we try to completely analyze the specific needs of the project and the surrounding context of the site, to arrive at the right decision. Although new materials seem quite enticing and may also be beneficial for some projects, it becomes important to keep in mind the significance of local, tried-and-tested materials that have been used for over the years. Natural materials, like mud, wood, terracotta, and stone, have gracefully passed the test of time proving their innate integrity and durability.
Every region has its own set of local, vernacular materials that have created structures which can optimally withstand the climatic conditions while blending naturally with the authenticity of the context. A good example of this would be the ‘Bhunga’ houses of Rajasthan, India which have a circular shape and thick walls made of locally-sourced timber and clay mixed with animal dung, to create natural insulation and withstand the extreme weather conditions.
In every project we handle at Atelier ARBO, we believe in selecting the right material palette that is purposeful, reliant, and durable. Newer materials may offer enticing properties, but we thoroughly analyze the product before considering it for a long term use. Bioclimatic architecture is an expansive field that relies on analyzing the environmental parameters of the site. Designing a structure accordingly can help in creating a healthy balance between the built and the unbuilt space.
Amidst all this, when we choose materials for a project, we try to completely analyze the specific needs of the project and the surrounding context of the site, to arrive at the right decision. Although new materials seem quite enticing and may also be beneficial for some projects, it becomes important to keep in mind the significance of local, tried-and-tested materials that have been used for over the years. Natural materials, like mud, wood, terracotta, and stone, have gracefully passed the test of time proving their innate integrity and durability.
Every region has its own set of local, vernacular materials that have created structures which can optimally withstand the climatic conditions while blending naturally with the authenticity of the context. A good example of this would be the ‘Bhunga’ houses of Rajasthan, India which have a circular shape and thick walls made of locally-sourced timber and clay mixed with animal dung, to create natural insulation and withstand the extreme weather conditions.
In every project we handle at Atelier ARBO, we believe in selecting the right material palette that is purposeful, reliant, and durable. Newer materials may offer enticing properties, but we thoroughly analyze the product before considering it for a long term use. Bioclimatic architecture is an expansive field that relies on analyzing the environmental parameters of the site. Designing a structure accordingly can help in creating a healthy balance between the built and the unbuilt space.
Understanding Bioclimatic Design Strategies
The essence of bioclimatic design can be well portrayed by planning and implementing passive techniques that focus on energy efficiency. Let’s try to understand few of these key design strategies:
1. Solar Orientation:
The first important step taken, in the design of any given project, is analyzing the site and its specific characteristics. A significant sub part of this process is understanding how the sun traverses around the site throughout the day. The angle at which the sun rays are expected to hit and enter the structure determines the orientation and massing of the built form.
For example, in extremely cold locations, structures can be oriented in a way that they take in abundant amounts of sunlight to keep the interiors warm. Analyzing the sun path of the site, with the help of psychrometric charts and BIM softwares, prove valuable in deciding the orientation and size of the windows and the angle of chhajjas or awnings so as to maximize or minimize the intake of sunlight as per the requirements of the space.
Orienting common areas, like living areas or office rooms, towards the south can make these spaces well-lit and warm, whereas placing bedrooms and rest areas towards the north can keep them cool and pleasant, thus leading to less reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
2. Natural Ventilation and Evaporative Cooling
Understanding the wind flow patterns of the site leads to an informed decision of placing the windows in a way that the space remains pleasant and comfortable through a playful course of wind flowing consistently. The scientific principle dictates that hot air is less dense and rises up whereas cold air is heavier and settles down. Translating this principle into practice, openings and fenestrations can be ideally planned to facilitate the removal of hot air and the even circulation of cool air. Cross-ventilation, that involves providing large windows in adjacent walls of a space, helps significantly in creating a comfortable indoor temperature by maintaining a systematic flow of wind.
Furthermore, the simple act of placing wet reeds, water-saturated pads, or wet wood wool grass pads (khas) in the windows can lead to the evaporation of the water by the air passing inside the space, making the air and subsequently the interior space cooler. This natural technique of evaporative cooling, that requires a simple setup, can make the space naturally cool resulting in reduced dependence on mechanical appliances which further leads to energy efficiency.
3. Exploring different renewable sources of energyThe emission of greenhouse gases is one of the major serious concerns of the construction industry. As discussed earlier, to reduce the staggering statistics of carbon emissions globally, the inclusion and successful implementation of various renewable sources of energy needs to be brought about.
Solar, wind, hydraulic, and geothermal energies are just a few examples of renewable sources that can be extensively used to reduce the carbon footprint of a structure. Many buildings and skyscrapers are actively applying the techniques of solar energy by installing large solar panels on the roof to effectively power the entire structure. Completely switching to renewable energy sources may prove to be daunting, but a balanced system of natural and mechanical energy consumption can considerably reduce the load on the environment.
4. Procuring locally-sourced materials
Although we have discussed this above, the importance of carefully choosing the right materials cannot be stressed enough. Local materials have been subjected to the varied climatic changes and variations of the region for over decades, and are hence seasoned to survive. Optimally using these materials simply reinforces the stability and durability of the structure and considerably increases its lifetime.
Furthermore, the easy availability of these materials near the site can effectively reduce transportation costs. Additionally, local materials benefit the local economy of the region. The creation of a structure that beautifully blends with its context speaks volumes of the cultural origins of the region.
5. Considering Green Roofs
Installing green roofs on top of the buildings can have a wide range of benefits, like mitigation of the urban heat island effect, enhanced stormwater management, healthier air quality, optimized energy consumption, and the creation of an oasis of biodiversity. The implementation of green roofs reduces internal temperatures by around 1-5°C, leading to less use of mechanical ventilation and therefore increased energy efficiency.
To know more about the benefits and diverse applications of green roofing systems, read our article on ‘How Green Roofing Systems can be a Wise Choice’
Bioclimatic architecture is a concept that has diverse perspectives and a vast pool of design strategies that, if considered in the early planning stages and implemented successfully during execution, can lead to structures that are functional, aesthetical, and yet in complete harmony with the surrounding environment. Today we all face the concerning statistics of global warming and climate change, personally experiencing the erratic and sudden weather changes happening around us. As practicing architects, we consider it our responsibility to curb the negative effects of our actions through conscious design decisions.
1. Solar Orientation:
The first important step taken, in the design of any given project, is analyzing the site and its specific characteristics. A significant sub part of this process is understanding how the sun traverses around the site throughout the day. The angle at which the sun rays are expected to hit and enter the structure determines the orientation and massing of the built form.
For example, in extremely cold locations, structures can be oriented in a way that they take in abundant amounts of sunlight to keep the interiors warm. Analyzing the sun path of the site, with the help of psychrometric charts and BIM softwares, prove valuable in deciding the orientation and size of the windows and the angle of chhajjas or awnings so as to maximize or minimize the intake of sunlight as per the requirements of the space.
Orienting common areas, like living areas or office rooms, towards the south can make these spaces well-lit and warm, whereas placing bedrooms and rest areas towards the north can keep them cool and pleasant, thus leading to less reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
2. Natural Ventilation and Evaporative Cooling
Understanding the wind flow patterns of the site leads to an informed decision of placing the windows in a way that the space remains pleasant and comfortable through a playful course of wind flowing consistently. The scientific principle dictates that hot air is less dense and rises up whereas cold air is heavier and settles down. Translating this principle into practice, openings and fenestrations can be ideally planned to facilitate the removal of hot air and the even circulation of cool air. Cross-ventilation, that involves providing large windows in adjacent walls of a space, helps significantly in creating a comfortable indoor temperature by maintaining a systematic flow of wind.
Furthermore, the simple act of placing wet reeds, water-saturated pads, or wet wood wool grass pads (khas) in the windows can lead to the evaporation of the water by the air passing inside the space, making the air and subsequently the interior space cooler. This natural technique of evaporative cooling, that requires a simple setup, can make the space naturally cool resulting in reduced dependence on mechanical appliances which further leads to energy efficiency.
3. Exploring different renewable sources of energyThe emission of greenhouse gases is one of the major serious concerns of the construction industry. As discussed earlier, to reduce the staggering statistics of carbon emissions globally, the inclusion and successful implementation of various renewable sources of energy needs to be brought about.
Solar, wind, hydraulic, and geothermal energies are just a few examples of renewable sources that can be extensively used to reduce the carbon footprint of a structure. Many buildings and skyscrapers are actively applying the techniques of solar energy by installing large solar panels on the roof to effectively power the entire structure. Completely switching to renewable energy sources may prove to be daunting, but a balanced system of natural and mechanical energy consumption can considerably reduce the load on the environment.
4. Procuring locally-sourced materials
Although we have discussed this above, the importance of carefully choosing the right materials cannot be stressed enough. Local materials have been subjected to the varied climatic changes and variations of the region for over decades, and are hence seasoned to survive. Optimally using these materials simply reinforces the stability and durability of the structure and considerably increases its lifetime.
Furthermore, the easy availability of these materials near the site can effectively reduce transportation costs. Additionally, local materials benefit the local economy of the region. The creation of a structure that beautifully blends with its context speaks volumes of the cultural origins of the region.
5. Considering Green Roofs
Installing green roofs on top of the buildings can have a wide range of benefits, like mitigation of the urban heat island effect, enhanced stormwater management, healthier air quality, optimized energy consumption, and the creation of an oasis of biodiversity. The implementation of green roofs reduces internal temperatures by around 1-5°C, leading to less use of mechanical ventilation and therefore increased energy efficiency.
To know more about the benefits and diverse applications of green roofing systems, read our article on ‘How Green Roofing Systems can be a Wise Choice’
Bioclimatic architecture is a concept that has diverse perspectives and a vast pool of design strategies that, if considered in the early planning stages and implemented successfully during execution, can lead to structures that are functional, aesthetical, and yet in complete harmony with the surrounding environment. Today we all face the concerning statistics of global warming and climate change, personally experiencing the erratic and sudden weather changes happening around us. As practicing architects, we consider it our responsibility to curb the negative effects of our actions through conscious design decisions.
[1] United Nations - https://www.un.org/sw/desa/68-world-population-projected-live-urban-areas-2050-says-un#:~:text=Today%2C%2055%25%20of%20the%20world's,and%20Africa%20with%2013%25%20each.
[2] 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction
Source - https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/co2-emissions-buildings-and-construction-hit-new-high-leaving-sector
[2] 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction
Source - https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/co2-emissions-buildings-and-construction-hit-new-high-leaving-sector