Climate Responsive Architecture - An Overview.
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Present-day architects have been working hard considerably to create structures with relatively lesser impacts on the natural environment.
Architecture has an inherent role to play in the global climate crisis. Buildings and their construction together account for 36 percent of global energy use and 39 percent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Climate had always been a serious factor of thought in the construction industry and climate-responsive architecture is a popular concept validating its crucial role and need.
A climate-responsive building design reflects the weather conditions in the precise area where the building is constructed. This design practice is centered on the primary idea of creating buildings. The major goal of climate-responsive architecture is to create a comfortable interior while reducing the building's reliance on artificial energy.
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Climate change can turn the buildings vulnerable as there can be an increased chance of collapsing, deteriorating health of the constructed structure, reduced lifespan, water encroachment and more.
It affects architecture in a lot many more ways like planning the structure, the roof. For example, temperature conditions permit the use of light structures, the rain and snow of the region decide on the roofing structure, and so on. Adapting to retrofit existing buildings, using carbon-smart buildings, and enhancing the usage of renewable energy are some of the ways in which architects can fight climate change.
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Studies have proved that it is very much important to shift to climate-responsive architecture and the following are the basic ten steps in creating a climate-responsive building:
- Perform a Site Analysis
- Layout the Building on the Site
- Consider Sun while planning
- Window Considerations
- Building for Geographic Area
- Minimize the Building Footprint
- Design for Natural Ventilation
- Relax the Occupants Comfort Standards
- Conduct Modeling and Analysis
- Perform Multiple Iterations
Climate-responsive building elements are responsive to internal and external climatic conditions and to occupant intervention. It also provides a sense of security and increased the life span of the constructed building.
Mentioned below are a few examples of climate-responsive buildings in India:
- Solar Passive Hostel, the University of Jodhpur (Hot and Dry)
- Silent Valley, Kalasa (Warm and Humid)
- TERI SRC Building, Bangalore (Moderate)
- Degree College and Hill Council Complex, Leh (Cold and Sunny)
- Residence of Mohini Mullick, Nainital (Cold and Cloudy)
- Monama House, Hyderabad (Composite)
"I would like my architecture to inspire people to use their own resources, to move into their future".
- Tadao Ando