THESIS SYNOPSIS -Climate Responsive Integrated Township (Revised)

MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General)

- THESIS 2017

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE INTEGRATED TOWNSHIP Introduction: Climate responsive architecture is defined as the architecture that deals with a design of a building taking into account the relation between climate and environmental conditions to provide comfort and meet the energy requirements without damaging the environment. It aims at achieving occupant thermal and visual comfort by incorporating the elements of the local climate effectively. This architecture blends design and natural elements (sun, wind, rain, water, soil, vegetation, etc.) for heating, cooling and lighting using appropriate energy efficient systems and technologies, such as passive systems and techniques. Hence, this reduces the negative impact on the environment and sustains the ecosystem of which it is a part. Climate responsive design is based on the way, a building form and structure moderates the climate for human comfort. It takes into account, the following climatic parameters, which have direct influence on indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption in buildings.

Climate: Climate is defined as the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. It can be broadly classified as Macro climate and Micro climate. Macro climate is the climate of a larger area such as a region or country and Micro climate is the variation in localized climate around a building. The macro climate and micro climate have a very important effect on both the energy performance and environmental performance of buildings. The site affects exposure to the prevailing winds, the solar radiation, pollution levels, and temperature also rain penetration. Macroclimate: Macro climate of an area can help in the design of buildings using the general climatic data obtained from the Meteorological department. This data gives a general impression of the climate at the site of a building and the building can be designed accordingly. Microclimate:

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factors, such as, wind, radiation, temperature and humidity. The microclimate of a site is affected by the following factors:

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Microclimate is the distinctive climate of a particular area or region, depending upon various

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MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General)

- THESIS 2017

1. Landform 2. Vegetation 3. Water bodies 4. Street width & Orientation 5. Open spaces & Built form. A knowledge and understanding of the above factors helps in the design and layout of the site plan as well as building design. The area may have many micro-climates caused by the presence of hills, valleys, slopes, streams and surrounding structures. Buildings in the surroundings themselves create microclimate by shading the ground and changing the wind flow pattern.

Climate Responsive Design: Passive strategies Climate change has been on a rise and is now a global concern and research has shown that 90% of this change is due to human activities (smith 2005). Thus, to bring down, the rate of climate change through ‘Sustainable design’, designers and architects, have turned to history to look upon useful examples. Throughout history, people have been building sustainably by the use of natural materials available, that have had no or very minimal impact on the environment, but with the introduction of new materials, such as glass, iron and concrete, during the Industrial Revolution, have made structures undergo several transformations with changing technologies. Key elements of Climate responsive design are passive systems that can be divided into the following categories; 1. Passive solar heating systems 2. Passive natural cooling techniques, and

3. Systems and day lighting techniques / natural lighting. Sustainable and integrated design is the key to ensure, that, structures can be built in an environmentally friendly way, as well as to respond to the local climate. At a micro scale, passive design strategies will ensure the well-being of the people living in these areas and at macro scale, it will help in the reduction of global warming.

Townships: Definition

periphery of the cities and can be identified as a potential solution to crowded urban areas. Most

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commercial, retail, institutional as well as industrial areas if required. They are mostly built on the

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Townships are the format of the future, as they are self-sustained with residential,

MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General)

- THESIS 2017

of the buildings in a township development are focused on repetitive units for dwellers, without considering the needs and wants of the individuals, society and the environment. India is urbanizing with a rapid increase in population, due to the migration of people from villages into cities. This has resulted in the development of high density towers of repetitive units without taking into considerations, the needs for human comfort, be it thermal, visual or aural comfort. In recent times, the dependence on mechanical heating and cooling devices has increased immensely, bringing about a huge change in the lifestyle of people. India being the home to diverse climatic conditions and energy availability being scarce, it is necessary that buildings designed use ‘passive’ means rather than the mechanical devise for air conditioning. The term ‘passive’ refers to the design techniques, which enhance thermal comfort and minimize on the unfavorable elements of the local climate.

Study: The study of this thesis shall focus on the Microclimate of the site, taking into account the following off-site and on-site features, such as; Off – site features

On – site features

Area and local climate

Location of organized open spaces

Site surroundings – in terms of building and land

Form and height of existing buildings (if any)

use Tree cover – wind breakers

Location of the site Topographic

features

including

vegetation,

Abandoned structures, swamps, water bodies

water body, channels, rivers, etc.

within the site.

Surrounding buildings and their impact on the

Surrounding surfaces (paving grass etc) /

site.

Ground profiling

Aim & Objective:  To do a detail study on micro climate, emphasizing its role and its relation to climate responsive design.  Passive techniques, such as Passive down draft evaporative cooling system (PDEC)

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Wind towers / Wind catchers

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Earth tunnel cooling

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MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General) o

Roofing and wall insulation systems

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Thermal mass construction

- THESIS 2017

to be studied for their effective integration into building design and achieve a comfortable thermal environment.  The aim of this project is to architecturally create an innovative integrated township design in a warm – humid climate, by incorporating passive design techniques and strategies, throughout its structure, circulation and design so as to achieve thermal comfortable environment.

Research Questions:  Is there a relation between micro climate of a region and climate responsive architectural design?  Can the implementation of climate responsive building design principles and elements lead to a combined improvement of comfort and energy issues in the building design?  Can it serve as a practical tool or manual to aid in appropriate implementation and application of climate responsive design concepts for architects / designers?  What are the Passive Design Strategies, which can be incorporated in building design of residential and non-residential buildings to achieve a comfortable internal thermal environment?  What passive design principles have been successfully used on buildings and how effective are they?

Scope & Constraints: The study of this thesis is to understand the climate responsive concepts with focus on passive heating and cooling techniques to be incorporated in design with suitable case studies. This thesis shall address climate responsive design using passive strategies focused only towards dwelling structures in a warm – humid climate of an industrial integrated township. The scope is

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limited to residential and commercial buildings in a warm – humid climate.

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311313866001

MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General)

- THESIS 2017

Site:

Palathandalam Site

The site identified for the project, is flat land without any major undulations and is covered with an even patch of greenery with very little clumps of shurbs and trees and the major portion of the site is nearly barren. The site is around 1metre lower than the existing road level, so during rains, this poses a problem on the site.

Selection of site:  Climatic conditions in the area differ from the climatic conditions within city limits.  The development of Outer Ring road along the periphery of Chennai Metropolitan Area for relieving the congestion within city and also for catalyzing the even dispersal of urban growth.  Spaces have been marked for residential, commercial and non-polluting industries to come up along the ORR’s extent and it closely follows the boundaries of the Greater Chennai Metropolitan Area.  SIDCO nearby and other smaller industries are located nearby.

Case Studies:

1) Nanded City, Pune

1) Vikas Apatrments, Auroville

2) Margarpettah, Pune

2) Torrent Research Centre, Ahmedabad

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Passive Design Strategies:

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Integrated Townships:

MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General)

- THESIS 2017

Methodology: Case Studies Literature

Case Studies Live

Scope and special study

Study on the microclimate of the region - on site & off site features

Study on the passive strategies

Site Analysis - soil conditions, water table l etc.

Passive evaporative cooling system

Study of buildings and surrounding areas around the site

Study on the topography and vegetation of site

Wind towers & Earth Tunnel Cooling

Thermal mass construction

Framing of requirements

Design development

Analysis of the design using relevant software – Revit / Ecotect/GBS

Bibliography: 1) Climate Responsive Architecture, A Design Handbook for Energy Efficiency Buildings –

3) Architecture in a Climate of Change, A Guide to Sustainable Design – Peter F Smith.

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2) Bioclimatic Housing, Innovative Designs for Warm Climates – Richard Hyde.

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Arvind Krishnan, Nick Baker, SV Szokolay