Heating, Cooling, Lighting as formgivers in Architecture

Question 1

What are the characteristics of a Zero-Energy House? (12)

Answer 1

1. Correct orientation
   2.Form as compact as appropriate for the climate and function
2. Extensive use of white or very light colored surfaces
3. Superinsulated envelope
4. Airtight construction with heat recovery
   High performance, properly oriented windows
5. Windows fully shaded in the summer
6. Passive solar space heating
7. Active solar domestic hot water
   9.High efficiency appliances
8. High efficiency electric heating
   11.High efficiency heating and cooling equipment
   12.Photovoltaics on roof that produce small amount of electricity still needed

Question 2

What are one of the main reasons for differences in vernacular architecture?

Answer 2

climate

Question 3

What are characteristics for buildings in hot and dry climates? (4)

Answer 3

1. massive walls and roofs used for the time lag effect in heat transfer from outside to inside
2. small windows (sun is very intense small windows will adequately light the interior, ventilation largely undesirable due to hot outdoor air, avoiding solar heat gain through large openings)
3. exterior surface color very light to minimize absorption of solar radiation
4. Since there is typically little rain roofs can be flat and used for additional living and sleeping areas during the summer time.
   Outdoor areas cool quickly after the sun sets because of the rapid radiation to the clear night sky. Thus roofs are more comfortable than interiors which are still quite warm from the daytime heat stored in the walls.

Question 4

What are characteristics for buildings in a predominantly cold climate? (4)

Answer 4

1. Compact building form (emphasis is on heat retention, minimizing surface area to volume ratio)
2. Few windows (because they are weak points in the thermal envelope)
3. Use of material with a high thermal resistance (rather wood than stone for example)
4. room height is low, since warm air rises ceiling heights are kept low)
5. Trees and landforms are used to protect agains winter winds

Question 5

What are characteristics for buildings in a hot and humid climate? (6)

Answer 5

1. use of many large windows to maximize ventilation
2. large overhangs and shutters (protect from solar radiation and rain)
3. light colored wall minimize solar heat gain
4. high ceilings to let hot air rise high above the home of occupied space
5. roof monitors or high windows to increase ventilation ( vertical ventilation) but also exhaust the hottest air layer
6. lightweight construction ( since night time temperatures are not much lower than daytime, massive construction is a disadvantage)
7. Buildings are sited as far as possible from each other for maximum access to the cooling breezes.

Question 6

Describe main characteristics of a hot and humid climate.

Answer 6

High relative humidity, Water vapor blocks some of the solar radiation thus air temperatures are lower than in hot and dry climates
high humidity creates discomfort
Night temperatures are not much lower than daytime temperatures