Air movements for passive cooling:

It is needed that the flow of air into the interiors of buildings bee
directed toward the occupancy zones of internal spaces to
improve thermal comfort.

Three basic principles that characterize air movement as a physical

phenomenon:
1.) Air flows from a high-pressure to a low-pressure area.
2.) Air possesses inertia once set in motion.
3.) Airflows through the path of least resistance.
AIR MOVEMENT is the most important elements of passive cooling
COOLING BREEZES an essential component of passive design
-

Coastal breezes from an onshore direction

Mountainous & hilly areas cool breezes flow down valleys in

late evening & early morning as night cooling creates cool air
Thermal Currents common in flatter, inland areas, created by
diurnal heating & cooling.

Design to maximize beneficial cooling breezes by:

-

Providing multiple flow paths and minimize potential barriers

Design windows to deflect breezes from varying angles
Locate windows on walls with best exposure to common cooling

breezes & design for effective cross flow of air through building
Direct airflow at levels suitable for the activity proposed for the

room
Design planting to funnel breezes into and through the building.

CONVECTIVE AIR MOVEMENT

-

it relies on hot air rising and exiting ath the highest point,

drawing in cool air from shaded external areas

clerestory windows, vented riges, eaves and ceuling allow heat

to exit the building.

FANS mechanical fans are required to supplement breezes.
Maximum useful air speed for comfort 7.5 meters per second

AIR INTAKES located in the center of the house and are used to
draw cooler outside air into building through multiple rooms
when condition are suitable.

EVAPORATIVE COOLING
-

Evaporation is an effective passive cooling method especially

when relative humidity is lower (70% or less during hottest

periods) and air has a greater capacity to take up water vapor

Passive Evaporative Cooling design solution use of pools, ponds
and water features immediately outside windows or in courtyard

to pre-cool air entering the house.

Active evaporative cooling systems wind scoop
Mechanical evaporative coolers common in low humidity
climates.

Research
Case study about using active evaporative cooling systems and
mechanical evaporative coolers. To be Submitted in march 8
EFFECT OF LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
Hedges and shrubs deflect air away from inlets and cause a
reduction in air motion indoors.
-

Should not be planted at a distance of more than 2 or 3 meters

from the building.

Air movement in the leeward part of the building can be enhanced by

planting a low hedge at a distance of 2 meters from the building.
Trees with a large foliage mass, deflect the outdoor wind downward
and promote air motion in the habitable zones of building interiors
LANDSCAPING
Plants and trees most effective and desirable elements that can be
used to direct air flow
-

Hedge between a tree and a building obstructs wind flow and

reduces indoor air motion.

Tree between a hedge and abuilding intensifies air motion in the

leeward portion of a room.

Trees and shrubs channel air laterally into close corners or
secluded pockets and create high and low pressure areas.

WIND SHADOW of a well-foliaged tree is approximately two (2) times

the height of the tree.
A row of closely spaced tree whose row is four (4) times its height
can have a wind shadow of three (3) times the height of the tree.
If the length of the tree row is eight (8) times the height, the wind
shadow will be six (6) times the height.
EARTH MOUNDS
-

Improved air motion indoors side of the mound slope of less

than 20 degrees and building greater than 2 meters from

windward edge of the mound

Slope of 10 degrees on windward side accelerates air motion in
building.

Passive cooling through orientation

-

Finding the optimal relationship between the buildings shape,

location within the site, orientation in relation to the suns path

and prevailing wind condition ( Yeang, 2000)

In tropical climates, building should ideally be RECTANGULA
ALONG THE EAST-WEST AXIS.
o SUNRISE
EAST
o SUNSET
WEST
o MID-DAY
SOUTH FLANK

Passive cooling through site layout

-

a diligent assessment of the site must be done

existing site elements may be significant engouhg so as to
produce differernt microclimatic conditions such as:
o time of day
o vegetation and soil type
o man-made structures
o topography
o proximity to bodies of water