Sustainable Design Strategies Flashcards
What is the angle that locates the sun VERTICALLY, above the horizon? That changes throughout the day as the sun rises and falls?
SOLAR ALTITUDE
What is the angle that locates the sun north or south from the EAST-WEST AXIS? That changes throughout the day as the sun moves from EAST TO WEST?
AZIMUTH
What are some best practices for SHADING at the SOUTH facade?
- Overhangs to block direct solar heat gain.
- The use of deciduous trees to block solar heat gain in the summer, while allowing heat gain in the winter.
What are some best practices for SHADING at the EAST AND WEST facades?
- Vertical sun baffles to control glare and heat gain from low sun angles.
- Use of EVERGREEN trees to provide shading year round and block undesirable low angle sun.
What day in the Northern Hemisphere the is sun angle its lowest?
DECEMBER 21 (Winter Solstice)
What day in the Northern Hemisphere the is sun angle its highest?
JUNE 21 (Summer Solstice)
Where is the best location to place ENTRIES in COLD CLIMATES to melt ice and snow?
SOUTH
What is the best way to understand SUMMER AND WINTER WINDS?
Wind Analysis
What are some examples of natural / man-made WIND BREAKS?
- Vegetation
- Buildings
- Screens or Fences
What are the 4 CLIMATE REGIONS in the United States?
- Cool: Midwest
- Temperate: Northwest & Northeast
- Hot-Humid: Southeast
- Hot-Arid: Southwest
How many CLIMATE ZONES are in the United States?
8 Zones
The minimization of surface area to volume ratio or use of underground building to reduce heat-loss through the building’s enclosure, is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DEIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The use of large southern windows to allow for solar heat gain, and small eastern and western windows to minimize heat loss, is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The avoidance of the use of northern windows that do not provide solar heat gain, is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The use of high thermal mass materials, can be used in which kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The use of summer shading for glazed areas with trees and overhangs, can be used in what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The use of air locks for entries can be used at what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The use of darker colors on the building’s exterior to absorb solar radiation is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD
The use of cube or spheres can be best used in which kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
COLD or HOT-ARID
The use of rectangular buildings with their long direction facing south (along the east-west axis) to maximize heat gain, is an example of which kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
TEMPERATE
The use of summer shading for glazed areas with trees and overhangs, to allow sun to fall on glazing in the winter, is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
TEMPERATE
The use of planning for cooling winds in the summer, and blocking of winds in the winter, is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
TEMPERATE
The use of medium colors for the exterior of a building, is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
TEMPERATE
The use of mechanical cooling and the maximization of natural ventilation with narrow floor plans, large openings, high ceilings, and cross ventilation, is an example of which kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
HOT-HUMID
Providing shade for ALL openings, is an example for which kind of CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
HOT-HUMID
The minimization of thermal mass in order to prevent heat absorption is an example of what kind of CLIMATE DESIGN?
HOT-HUMID
The implementation of light colors on the building’s exterior in order to prevent heat absorption, is an example for which kind of CLIMATE DESIGN?
HOT-HUMID
Shading from direct sunlight, is used in which CLIMATE DESIGN STRATEGY?
HOT-ARID