Micro-Climate oriented Building Design

Sachin Prabhu
L. S. Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai, India
[email protected], [email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract: India is a country where we see a lot of architectural versatility from Vedic Period, Rock-cut
Architecture, Blends of different foreign architecture with various Indian regional architecture,
Vernacular Architecture, Contemporary Architecture, Green Architecture, etc. The Vernacular
Architecture in India meaning variety of aspects of climate, materials, local craftsmen and utmost
comfort. In true sense these designs are energy efficient. But in Modern Architecture majority of time
buildings are designed based on passive, mechanical systems to consume more energy. But in
comparative analysis they prove how they are energy efficient. But if these buildings are designed by
understanding proper sun-path, climate and wind directions; these buildings can be more energy
efficient than the former one. This paper is showcasing the different possibilities for building zonings,
orientations, and fragmentation of the building foot-print to get more responsive design with respect to
climate, sun-path and wind flows along with proper landscape to divert wind flows. If at schematic levels
buildings are designed with these strategies energy consumption after building completion is reduced.

Keywords: Sustainability, sun-path, wind-flow, building orientation

1. Introduction
In India right from ancient time buildings are schematically designed based on Vastupurusha Mandala,
Nav-graha Mandala, Nav-Rasa, etc. Kautilya has showcased many town planning modules based on
“Eight Orientations and Vastupurusha Mandala”. But in Modern Era buildings are designed many times
by overlooking the sun-path, climatic aspects, and wind directions. Majority of time such buildings are
relying on mechanical aspects to get comfort.

Revisiting the Role of Architecture for 'Surviving’ Development. 53rd International Conference of the
Architectural Science Association 2019, Avlokita Agrawal and Rajat Gupta (eds), pp. 97–106. © 2019
and published by the Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA).
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2. Reality for Sustainability in India

India is now in intensive development, which will bring with it many new and varied changes,
economically and socially, for the general well being of the population.
On this background there are many choices with the developer and designer:
 Non-sustainable, copying the conventions, fashions, and mistakes of the ‘developed world’.
 Sustainable, developing fresh, original, appropriate patterns of development, responsive to the
need of Indian society and resources, contributing to the ‘New world environmental order’.
India houses about 16% of world’s population (a proportion which is still increasing); China about
21%, and if one looks at all Asia, the region accounts for 59% of the people of the world – and the whole
region is in a greater or lesser state of accelerated development. (Source: Climate responsive
architecture)
If the per capita energy consumption of the Asian region increases to the levels of Europe, global
energy consumption will increase by 115%, (Source: Climate responsive architecture) with almost
unthinkable global environmental consequences. The global environment in future is in danger. So just
copying the planning strategies of developed world is unfair. The Indian architects should think of the
strategies suiting to Indian climate, economy and society. At the planning stage only, they should think
of surrounding, local micro climate, wind flows, sun path, available resources and minimalism. India is
preoccupied with its own problems, will hopefully make some serious efforts to put their own house in
order to follow reduction in possible energy consumption.

3. Sustainable Architecture
How are we going to achieve architectural sustainability? Certainly not through following “conventional”
western design pattern, copying stylistic fashion, or adopting inappropriate technological fixes from
other climates, regions, or cultures. The rigid beaurocratic controls help in achieving this in diverse
country like India. But the real solutions must come from “within”, by following:
 Select diverse and locally adapted solutions for development.
 Use of locally available appropriate resources suitable to local climate response.
 Design for local social customs, conventions and aspirations.
 Use original thinking based on vernacular aspects rather than adopting or copying
readymade ideas.
 Conserve non-renewable energy – limit it to use highly efficient, essential functions, understand
the need of massive consumption.
 Introduce incentives for energy efficiency, climatically responsive developments, by
understanding micro climate, sun-path, wind flows.
 Utilize energy performance equipment’s and systems.
 Micro-Climate oriented Building Design 99

These are just few ideas, approaches and concepts that are fundamental to a sustainable approach to
development of the built environment.

4. Methodology
The following 10 steps can be considered before designing the building:
4.1. Perform a site analysis
Determine the weather patterns, climate, soil types, wind speed and direction, sun path, habitat and
geology of the site. Document all these aspects while zoning the building. This is an approach which
considers the best environmental sustainability practices.

4.2. Layout the building on the site

By understanding the factors of site analysis, use a basic massing of the building layout by
understanding design constrains like access, entrance, circulation, connectivity, design program, etc.

4.3. Orientation of the building based upon cardinal directions (sun path)
By understanding the sun path orient the building to reduce direct heat on the facades of the
building as well as to minimise heat generation due to radiation.

Fig 1: Shading of the building.

(Source: https://fairconditioning.org/knowledge/passive-design/form-and)orientation/)

4.4. Select the appropriate window areas and glazing types based on orientation
The window openings on the wall can be planned by understanding figure no. 2. Avoid massive
openings on south facades. If not possible south facing facades should utilize a window area
appropriate to its orientation and glazing should utilize a double or triple paned glass with a low e-
coating.

4.5. Design building envelope by understanding sun path

When designing the envelope of the building, especially southern façade inclined it by understanding
altitudes and azimuth for critical conditions. The opacity, transparency and openings can be
determined by understanding surroundings.
100 Prabhu

Fig 2: Window locations and wind flow.

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4.6. Minimize the building foot print

Fig 3: Design of foot print of building

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By minimizing the building foot print the cost on massive excavation can be saved. Facades will be
more in area to get sufficient light and cross ventilation. Desired space will be available for
plantation to cool down surrounding and to divert desired wind flows.
 Micro-Climate oriented Building Design 101

4.7. Design for natural ventilation

By understanding natural wind flows and diverted wind flows design inlets of appropriate sizes and
design outlets to escape warm air at higher locations compare to inlets. It can cut down the
consumption of electrical devices indoor.

Fig 4: Design of natural ventilation different types

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4.8. Design for occupants comfort

By using natural systems i.e. sun and wind, reduce the amount of energy used to cool and heat the
building can result in using natural systems, meaning the sun and the wind. The window openings
are operatable to adjust comfort condition indoor as per occupant’s whim.

4.9. Energy modeling and analysis

Energy modeling, lighting models, day lighting studies, computational fluid dynamics are other
different tools that designers can use while designing by understanding the local climate and micro-
climate features specific to the site.

4.10. Perform multiple iterations

If you are not successful in desired results, then utilize above constrain with other alternatives
repeatedly and arrive at the best solution with comparative analysis.

5. Sun path with eight orientations

By considering four main orientations and four sub orientations, building can be divided into 9 parts.
The four sub orientations are having their own significance. Being in Northern hemisphere of the world
India has geographical significance. North-East (Ishanya – God) is very significant orientation.
102 Prabhu

India gets secured from the freezing winds of north flowing from China due to Himalayan Ranges.
The rising sun enters the Indian continent from this orientation only. India got many perennial rivers
originating from the Himalayan Ranges. From north-east side we get rich D vitamin from rising sun.
Hence with respect to Indian context this orientation is having divine nature, hence termed as God.
Because of Himalayan Ranges India has got tropical climate. The building at north-east side can be
opened more to get ample morning sun rays, the orientation of the doors and entrances of the building
are preferred the most at north-east side.
The South-East orientation is termed as Agneya (Agni – Fire), depicting fire element. Hence functions
like Kitchens, Toilets, and Gardens are placed here. Generally massive openings are minimized here to
stop heat radiation creeping indoor of the building, happening from South-East and South direction.
South-East side may be cooled down by growing lush Green trees, bushes and lawns in the
surroundings. The building elevations at North-East side can be inclined properly by understanding sun-
path for critical span of time. Due to inclined surface the requirement of surface treatment in such cases
can be minimized. The boxes, fins, heavy chhajjas, pergolas can be avoided to save extra cost of
material, labour and supervision. Hence lot of energy is saved.
The South-West orientation is termed as Nairutya (Neer – Water) depicting water element. But for
tropical India monsoon arrives from this side only for an average 4 months. This orientation is termed as
“Earth Element.”
The fourth orientation North-West i.e. Vayavya (Vayu – Wind), is depicting “Wind Element.” In the
context of India, the wind flowing to this direction is coming from Afghanistan and Pakistan, with warm
air. This warm air can be avoided with various aspects. So, in design criteria while zoning these are the
strong elements which can be considered. For sun-path with respect to India, sun rises at East, move

Fig 5: Orientation of longer facades towards north

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towards South and sets at West. From January to July sun is more vertical and days are bigger than
nights. For this period the heat due to sun is more and critical. From August to December sun is more
 Micro-Climate oriented Building Design 103

inclined and the days are smaller compare to the nights. When the sun is vertical the heat generated is
more and in Indian context the heat spread indoor due to heat radiation happens from the south
direction. To control the heat creeping indoors, we can design weather protections or inclined the
Southern Facade by considering altitude and azimuth for that date. From north we are getting diffuse
sun light throughout the year.
At the time of design if these points are considered then the typologies utilized after construction is
over to cool down the façade can be eliminated; to save the energy, material and labour cost in future.

6. Wind Flow
Another important criterion is the “Wind Direction.” Generally, wind direction for any plot is changing in
a day many times. By considering the possible wind directions for the particular plot there are different
remedies to follow. In general, when obstacles are coming in the way of wind direction, they cause wind
shaded areas on the opposite side of the obstacle. If buildings are becoming the obstacle for wind flow,
then they are creating wind shadow regions at the opposite side of the building, causing problems. In
this shadow area if dwarfed buildings are placed with proper openings, such dwarfed buildings get
surprisingly good cross ventilation as illustrated below in the figure 6.

Fig 6: Tall buildings and wind Fig 7: Variable height buildings and wind flow
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centre/passive-design/form-orientation) centre/passive-design/form-orientation)

While designing the buildings in big layout we designed variable height buildings. The placement and
zoning of the buildings can be decided by understanding wind flow. The building can be stilted and
placed in ascending order of heights along the win direction to achieve maximum cross ventilation in all
buildings. This is illustrated in figure 7.
When the buildings are zoned perpendicular to the wind flow, wind shadow effect occurs at the
opposite side of buildings creating uncomfortable conditions. To overcome these buildings can be
104 Prabhu

placed in angular way i.e. to an angle of 30 or 45 degree to get ample wind flow and cross ventilation
(figure 8). Even the buildings can be staggered to divert the wind flow within the buildings (figure 9).

Fig 8: Angular placement of buildings and wind flow (Source: http://www.nzeb.in/knowledge-

centre/passive-design/form-orientation/)

Fig 9: wind flow and staggered buildings (Source: http://www.nzeb.in/knowledge-centre/passive-

design/form-orientation/)
Many times as per the microclimate site gets good wind flow. But if it is not captured well it just
blows around the building but cannot flow inside the building if it is not managed well in design. The
following example illustrates how wind can be forced to flow inside the building with proper openings
and plantation of trees.
The fragmentation of building or staggering the rooms give ample cross ventilation and even
enhance the aesthetics of the building. This is achieved by providing tree plantation at require places.
Due to desirable cross ventilation the comfort level of the building is as well enhance and additional
sources for mechanical ventilation can be omitted. (Fig. 10)
 Micro-Climate oriented Building Design 105

Fig 10: wind flow and Design (Source: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation)

7. Design strategy for existing building

One of the existing educational buildings in Mumbai is now consuming more electrical energy to provide
comfort level for the occupants. The building site is having great wind flow from east to west for entire
year. At the time of building design this wind flow was not considered. At present the comfort level of
occupants is not good even after running many fans. If the building is provided generation of negative
pressure with industrial exhaust fan at west end of the passage, this cool breeze can be diverted within
the building. With plantation of few trees at north-west end, the flowing wind is blocked and diverted
within the building. The schematic diagram in figure 12 is illustrating the remedy can be used to solve
the problem.

Fig 11: plan of existing educational building from Mumbai

The adjoining building at south side is causing the shadow on the educational building in the
afternoon. So the building is not heated from south side due to sun rays as well as heat radiations.
Hence south side can be designed with glass wall to get more light. Entire longer northern facade can be
designed with glass wrapping to get ample day light into the educational building. The room walls at the
southern side of passage can be designed with louvers or trellis work to allow wind in. The room walls at
106 Prabhu

northern side of the passage can be designed with ventilators to allow cross ventilation. Now the
comfort level of the occupants is increases much more than the previous state.

Fig 12: plan of existing educational building from Mumbai after treatment

7. Conclusion
In developing country like India, the architectural designs can be made very sensible at planning stage
only by understanding sun path, micro climate of the site, wind directions, locally available material and
vernacular aspects like culture, social and economical impacts of the society, to conserve energy for
every development.
How much energy is being saved in such cases? Further research can be done to calculate amount of
energy saved with comparative analysis of various methods adopted for mechanical ventilation.

Bibliography
Arvind Krishnan, Nick Baker, Simos Yannas, S. V. Szokolay, Climate Responsive Architecture, a design
hand book for energy efficient buildings, Tata McGraw – Hill publishing company ltd., New Delhi, 2001.
Vellard Gerd Hatje, Architecture and the Sun, Thames and Hudson, London.
Sergi Costa Duran, Architecture and Energy Efficiency, Loft Publication, Barcelona, Spain, 2011.
https://fairconditioning.org/knowledge/passive-design/form-and)orientation
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