Vernacular Architecture & Design Flashcards
What is vernacular architecture?
- “native buildings”
- styles belonging to an environment
- responds to location/climate, without using tech
- same principles (not copying)
Why were buildings traditionally thick compared to now?
old massive structure buildings were used to create thermal mass in order to withstand environmental conditions, new buildings are composes of thinner layers that are individually less able to withstand weather conditions
What are the 3 main methods to reconnect local climate to building design?
- understand the characteristics and challenges of different climatic zones
- study strategies and principles of vernacular/traditional architecture- how passive design principles can be applied in contemporary architecture
How are the world climate zones classified?
using the Köppen-Geiger climate classification
What are the four main climatic zones?
- hot dry and hot arid
- temperate
- cold
- hot humid
What are some of the general principles in terms of passive strategies that can reduce the range of local climate variations?
- to avoid heat gain in hot climates
- to conserve heat in cold climates
- motivate natural ventilation (breeze) when cooling is desired
- avoid severe wind speeds and problems
- admit light in sufficient amounts for task lighting
- keep out excessive or unnecessary light
What are some of the primary design elements we can look at to target different climate characteristics?
- urban form/relation between buildings
- orientation
- form
- air permeability
- openings
- local materials
On an urban scale what principles are used to target different climate characteristics?`
- topography
- orientation
- air movement
- urban fabric form: the arrangement of buildings
- vegetation
On a building scale what principles are used to target different climate characteristics?`
- materials: insulation and use of local materials and Earth materials
- building form, orientation: inward/outwards, compact/linear
- envelope: opaque and glazing (solar radiation and daylighting), shading techniques
- ventilation: for air movement regulation
What are some characteristics of buildings in hot arid zones? (think morocco, Iran, Egypt, Algeria)
- compact buildings for shading
- introvert architecture, they ventilate inwards (courtyard gardens)
- light coloured buildings to reflect light
- use of local materials
- flat roofs
- wind catchers
- openings in the North orientation
- window shading
What are some passive strategies in hot zones?
- minimising solar gains by using orientation, windows, form and shading devices
- allowing for high thermal mass to reduce peak temperatures - using thick walls reduces the temp
- passive cooling/ventilation using courts, wind catchers, stake effect and cross ventilation (using differences in air pressure or temp)
- window shading to decrease solar gain
What is the climate like in tropical zones?
uniform temp
high humidity
copious rainfall all year long
What are some characteristics of buildings in tropical zones?
- orientating the buildings to motivate air movement (ventilation by cooling effect)
- elevated buildings to catch the breeze (on columns usually)
- extended roof to provide shading and protection from rain water
- minimise heat gain and glare by using adjustable sunshades and sun devices (which also help in internal day lighting)
- use of balconies as buffer zones
- lightweight timber structures
- very steep roof for intense rainfall
- use of open plan and minimising interior partitions to allow cross ventilation (they usually have wooden carvings in the windows)
- openings are wide and and north/south orientated
- roof windows enhance the stack effect and provide daylight
What are some design objectives and design principles of buildings in cold & temperate zones? (mostly European countries)
objectives - to resist heat loss and promote solar gain. principles: - building orientation and shape - using vegetation as wind barrier - thicker walls - air locks and lobbies - glazing surfaces to the south - sun spaces/green houses and trombe wall
What are some characteristics of buildings in cold & temperate zones?
- earth sheltered buildings (e.g Iceland)
- thermal storage and mass to promote heat trap
- thick walls
- south facing openings, glazing to increase solar gain
