© 2019 IJRAR January 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 ...ijrar.org/papers/IJRAR1BLP127.pdfIts objective is to study about energy efficiency of buildings and how active as well as passive techniques

© 2019 IJRAR January 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

IJRAR1BLP127 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 858

Bioclimatic Architecture: Improvised Blend of

Tradition and Innovation

Ar. Tavleen Baweja1, Ar. Vivek Sehgal2, Ar. Sanjiv Saini3

1 Alumini, Department of Architecture and Planning, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India. 2 HOD,GNDEC, School of Architecture, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

3 Department of Architecture and Planning, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.

Abstract

India possesses a large variety of climates. The differences of climate from region to region are capable of being

reflected in building design. Due to the difference in the climate and for attaining thermal comfort inside the

building, it is designed climate oriented. This paper’s aim is to discuss and describe traditional and innovative

active and passive techniques for buildings with respect to the climate of that area. Its objective is to study about

energy efficiency of buildings and how active as well as passive techniques blend is very much important. Study

is based on case studies of buildings of three different types of climatic zones of India that are hot and dry,

composite and cold.

Key words- Thermal comfort , Active and Passive techniques

Introduction

Climate plays a significant role in the determination of the design and in construction of buildings. An analysis

of the climate of a particular region can help in assessing the seasons or periods during which a person may

experience comfortable or uncomfortable conditions. It further helps in identifying the climatic elements, as well

as their severity, that cause discomfort. With this information the designer gets help how to build a house that

filters out adverse climatic effects while simultaneously allowing those that are beneficial.

There are various factors that affect the climate –

Solar radiation, Ambient temperature, Air humidity, Precipitation, Wind and Sky condition

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Designing of buildings and spaces on the basis of local climate and making use of proper solar energy. It is

aimed at providing thermal and comfort. Passive systems of design are incorporated into buildings.

Environmental sources are utilized like sun, air, wind, water are used for heating, cooling and lighting the

building. These are taken into account to diminish the environmental footprint.

Design and architectural elements are mainly dealt for building and mechanical systems are totally avoided.

Traditional architectural styles work according to bioclimatic principles. In earlier days also when air

conditioners were rare and very expensive then only passive measures were incorporated in design. Size of

windows and its direction was taken into consideration. Bioclimatic buildings limit the use of materials such as

concrete and aluminium that require a lot of energy to be produced, favouring materials such as stone, wood and

earth.

Now a days scenario has totally changed. Lot of energy is used in the building which is consumed by the people.

In India 33% of electricity is consumed by buildings with commercial and residential sector accounting 8% and

25%. Therefore ECBC ( Energy Conservation Building Code ) was developed as a step to design energy

efficient buildings with taking climate into consideration.

Figure 1: Pie chart depicting energy consumption rate

Source: - Author

Table 1: Typical energy consumption in buildings

Source:- Energy Conservation Building Code




Climatic Zones

For every climatic zone building is designed in a different manner.

Orientation and shape of the building varies with zone and the wind

flow is different. Thus for attaining thermal comfort inside the building

various measures are adopted. In different forms energy is consumed

by the people inside the building. Mechanical systems are used, which

are even available at low cost and consume less energy. Thus it even

results in designing energy efficient building.

Figure 2: Climatic zones of India

Source: - (Majumdar, 2002)

In first section it clarifies the term Bioclimatic Architecture and the energy efficient techniques and

process of design and site development in buildings. Then it explains need of active measures in buildings.

Different techniques of energy efficient buildings are studied for different climatic zones. Then it is proved

that active measures are equally important as passive are.


© 2019 IJRAR January 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-

1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)


2.1. Hot and Dry

The climate is described as dry because the relative humidity is generally very low, ranging

from 25 to 40 % due to low vegetation and surface water bodies. Moreover, the hot and dry

regions receive less rainfall- the annual precipitation being less than 500 mm. In such a

climate, it is imperative to control solar radiation and movement of hot winds.

The design criteria should therefore aim at resisting heat gain by providing shading, reducing

exposed area, controlling and scheduling ventilation, and increasing thermal capacity. The

presence of “water bodies” is desirable as they can help increase the humidity, thereby

leading to lower air temperatures. The ground and surrounding objects emit a lot of heat in

the afternoons and evenings. As far as possible, this heat should be avoided by appropriate

design features.[10]

Table 2: Hot and Dry Climate

Source- Energy Conservation Building Code[8]



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Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur

Architect-Ashok B Lall

Figure 3: Site Plan Figure 4: Faculty court and Typical hostel wing

Source: - Energy Efficient Buildings in India by Mili Majumdar

It is an institutional building. It has been inspired by the traditional arts and craft of the city.

Interlinked courtyards help in increase of heat loss by ventilation, which also form functional

spaces for the facility. Landscape courtyards used as a modifier of microclimate .Most of the

spaces are air cooled using centralized evaporative cooling system which provides a high

level of comfort in hot dry climate at very little cost. Windows are designed to reduce glare

and ensure adequate natural light for the entire room. Use of local materials and skills reduce

costs and also reduces transportation costs. Interconnecting walkways between various

blocks, shaded using natural vegetation cover provides a cooling effect. Innovative window

shading using concrete jail as side fins,provides shading and yet does not impede air

movement. The cooling plant and services core are designed to ensure a noise and draught

free cooling system. The ventilator which is below the window serves a dual purpose. It is an

adjustment outlet for the air that is distributed to each spaces by the evaporative cooling

systems and can also house a window air conditioning unit without blocking out the light and

view.[10]



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PASSIVE SYSTEM ACTIVE SYSTEM

Passive solar system Solar panel

Passive cooling system Solar water heating

Building orientation and placement Wind turbines

Use of vegetation Heat pumps

Table 3: Star label w.r.t EPI

Source- Roadmap for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Bureau of energy efficiency government of India

As lot of passive measures are applied in this building. But still there is need for techniques to

be applied which consume energy. Thus energy efficient building is designed by taking

climate into consideration. Therefore blend of active and passive techniques is very much

important for designing of the building.

Figure 5: Best orientation according to Ecotech Figure 6: Comfort zone according to psychometric chart

Source: - Author



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Aranya Bhawan , Jaipur

Architects: Mathur, Ugam and Associate

Figure 7: Site Plan Figure 8: View of building

Source-Building Energy Efficiency Project- Case study of an ECBC compliant

This building is called Aranya Bhawan because it has all government bodies of Jaipur.[11]

Figure 9: Pie chart depicting energy calculations Figure 10: Heat gain


Detailed energy monitoring was done for two weeks. Annual energy consumption done by

HVAC was found out 53%. Energy Performance Index calculated before charrette was found

out 77KWH/M2, and after it was found out 53KWH/M2. Water cool energy efficient chiller

is used. 5mm clear glass is done. Passive Downdraft Evaporative Cooling is provided in

Stairwells.



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Figure 11: Passive technique applied in designing

Figure 12: Solar energy generation


ECBC approach for designing of energy efficient buildings is firstly using the passive

measures of design, then incorporating other active techniques and integrating renewable

energy system.



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Composite

Generally, composite regions experience higher humidity levels during monsoons than hot

and dry zones. Otherwise most of their characteristics are similar to the latter. Thus, the

design criteria are more or less the same as for hot and dry climate except that maximising

cross ventilation is desirable in the monsoon period.

Table 4: Composite climate[8]

Source-Energy Conservation Building Code

Table 5: Bandwidth more than 50% AC

Source- Roadmap for Energy Efficiency in Buildings Bureau of energy efficiency government of India

EPI(Kwh/sqm/year) Star Label

190-165 1 Star

165-140 2 Star

140-115 3 Star

115-90 4 Star

Below 90 5 Star



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PEDA office complex, Chandigarh

Architect – Arvind Krishan and Kunal Jain

Figure 13: Site Plan Figure 14: A sectional elevation showing integration of passive and active

Source: - Energy Efficient Buildings in India by Mili Majumdar

PEDA (Punjab Energy Development Agency)is an office complex located in Chandigarh. In

this building there are overlapping floors at different levels in space floating in large volume

of air. Floors interconnected volumetrically to enable passive space conditioning of the entire

volume of the building. Large cut outs for light and ventilation wells. Building integrated

solar photo voltaic and solar water heating. Summer cooling through wind tower. Thermal

mass of floor slabs moderates diurnal swings.[10]

Figure 15: South elevation showing domical roofs and vertical roof glazing systems for daylight integration

and ventilation

Source- Energy Efficient Buildings in India by Milli Majumdar



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Cold and Cloudy

The northern part of India experiences this type of climate. Most cold and cloudy regions are

situated at high altitudes. Ootacamund, Shimla, Shillong, Srinagar and Mahabaleshwar are

examples of places belonging to this climatic zone. These are generally highland regions

having abundant vegetation in summer. The intensity of solar radiation is low in winter with a

high percentage of diffuse radiation. Hence, winters are extremely cold.

Table 6: Cold Climate Zone

Source – Energy Conservation Building Code[8]



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2.2. Himurja Office Building, Shimla

Architect – Arvind Krishnan and Kunal Jain

Figure 16:South west view of the office building

Showing sunspaces Figure 17:Section showing solar access through solarium

Source:- Energy Efficient Buildings in India by Mili Majumdar

Double glazed windows with proper sealing to minimize infiltration. Insulated RCC

diaphragm walls on the north to prevent heat loss. Careful integration of windows and light

shelves ensures effective daylight distribution. Air heating panels designed as an integral part

of the south wall provide effective heat gain. Distribution of heat gain in the building through

a connective loop that utilizes the stair well as a means of distributing heated air.[10]



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Conclusion

Climate plays a very important role in designing the building. By considering the local

climate to attain thermal comfort, building is designed. Building should be designed in such a

manner such that it consumes very less energy. This is not only attained by using only

passive measures, therefore active measures are to be used which consumes very less amount

of energy. Innovation and traditional techniques must be implemented in design

simultaneously for designing energy efficient building. Buildings which use only passive

techniques still require energy to properly run. Therefore active measures are equally

important for the building which uses less energy for its working. So blend of traditional and

innovation is very good for the building.



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Reference

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3. Cell, E. (n.d.). ECBC Implementation Experience- A Case Study.

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10. Majumdar, M. (2002). Energy Efficient Buildings in India. New Delhi: Tata Energy

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11. Raghav, C. R. (n.d.). Aranya Bhawan. Retrieved November Saturday , 2017, from

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© 2019 IJRAR January 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 ...ijrar.org/papers/IJRAR1BLP127.pdfIts objective is to study about energy efficiency of buildings and how active as well as passive techniques