Cities and environmental factors Flashcards
What are the impacts of climate change on building design?
-Wetter winters and sudden, heavy downpours
▪️direct rainwater away from houses/roads
▪️higher water levels and risk of storms=need for safeguarding buildings against seepage/flooding
- Milder climate/Warmer summers
▪️reduces durability of building materials and affects indoor climate of buildings
▪️greater need for cooling
- Risk of storms/snow/stronger weather
▪️collapsing buildings (also due to earthquakes)
What are the features within buildings in cities?
- elements connect within structure
- functions within intended use (e.g. music centre not collapsing from noise)
- transmit the total loads
- spread the load evenly
- resist ground movements- earthquakes
- resists external elements
- design statements based on vision and materials at that period (using materials available at that time)
What is construction technology?
Choosing the way buildings are put together
How are materials and methods chosen for the design process?
Human comfort considerations + technology
materials and methods chosen for the design process
What external factors need to be considered?
- temperature
- wind speed/direction
- sun paths
- topography
- risk of flooding
What are some examples of primary materials?
- wood
- steel
- glazing
What are some examples of secondary materials?
- insulation
- plaster
- textiles
What are direct impacts from the change in climate?
- reinforcement of design strength (wind, thermal stress, snow)
- change of heating and cooling loads, and water demand
- deterioration of the indoor thermal environment
- increase in energy consumption
What effect does climate have on buildings?
- similar structures
- sealed buildings consume a great deal of energy
- climate responsive buildings can have much less environmental impact
Why do Dubai’s buildings not fit their location?
- architectural statements
- not suitable for location (bling)
- greater demands on resources
What effect does topography have on solar access?
Slope not only affects the sun angle, it also affects the amount of exposure to the sun at different times of the year.
What effect do buildings have on solar access?
- location of buildings in relation to each other can also affect solar access
- both summer and winter sun needs to be taken into account
Summer- higher sun
Winter-lower sun
What was wrong with the Walkie-talkie skyscraper in London?
External shading was not considered so objects in the path of reflected light were melting
How was the shape of the Walkie-talkie building a problem?
The concave shape of the skyscraper means that a large amount of sunlight is reflected into a small area
the effect lasts for 2 hours per day and is present for approx. 3 weeks due to the changing position of the sun
What is the definition of hue?
Hue is actually the colour we see- such as red.
