CLIMATE RESPONSIVE PRACTICES IN LOCAL

ARCHITECTURE

1. Introduction:
Climate responsive architecture is based on the way a building
form and structure moderates the climate for human good and well
being. This comes from both the timing of the consideration of climatic
issues in the design process and the procedure by which it is synthesized
with other design issues which require of the architect both analytical
and synthesis skills. These buildings which use climate as a form
determinant result in climate responsive architecture. Through out
architectural history, local builders have used great ingenuity in
providing the most comfortable climate conditions possible with the
constraints of the local climate. There had been many local climate
responsive practices both traditional and contemporary. Traditionally
designed buildings are a useful basis for understanding the integration
of culture, climate and building form as they offer holistic models for
the development of climate responsive architecture. Also it is
appropriate to consider the nature of contemporary climate responsive
local buildings and their way of expressing the relationship between the
building and the climate. And as analytical studies of these buildings
need an awareness of the suitable treatments of local climate conditions,
this paper first discusses different treatments needed for hot-arid climate
and their impact on the building form, fabric and elements, followed by
analysis of a group of traditional and contemporary local climate
responsive buildings.

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2. Hot-Arid Climate Strategies for buildings form, fabric
and elements
A main aspect in designing a climatic responsive building is its comfort
criteria, in hot-arid climate, four main climatic factors that need
interrelated and integrated treatments to attain comfort dealing with solar
radiation through appropriate orientation, building shape, shading of
walls and openings, roof treatments special kinds of glazing and using
landscape for evaporative cooling, the temperature can be treated for
cooling or heating by thermal mass, insulation, partial or total embedding
of the building in earth treatments of walls and shading. Ventilation can
be attained through enhancement of air movement and cross ventilation,
wind catchers, courtyards and daylighting can be abundant through
proper positions and sizes of openings and shading. These factors dictate
certain climatic strategies related to the building design at three levels, the
first level of strategies relates to general building and environmental
control characteristics such as mass/materials, plan shape and section, the
second level relates to the specific aspects of building form such as plan
orientation, landscaping and courtyards, and the third level of climate
strategies is related to the main building elements the roof, the walls and
the floor.
2.1 General building and environmental control characteristics
Mass/materials

- Thermal mass can be used to absorb heat from a room during the day
and then be cooled at night with ventilation and it should be thick
enough to store adequate cold. Materials vary greatly in their capacity
for storing heat. Brick, stone and water make excellent thermal mass.
- The technology of thermal storage materials has shown notable signs
of improvement since energy consumption became a matter of
concern. Among the more interesting developments is the use of

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 phase-change materials such as Glauber’s salt, these materials absorb
a large amount of heat in passing from a solid to a liquid state and then
release it when they reverse the change and return to the solid state,
they are packaged in tubes and bags. Admittance and density of
selected construction elements clarified in table (1).

Item Admittance Density

(w/m2 k) (kg/m3)
1. 220mm solid brickwork, unplastered 4.6 1700

2. 335mm solid brickwork, unplastered 4.7 1700

3. 220mm solid brickwork with 16mm 3.4 1700 for brickwork

lightweight plaster 600 for plaster

4. 200mm solid cast concrete 5.4 2100

5. 75mm lightweight concrete block with 1.2 600 for concrete

15mm dense plaster on both sides 600 for plaster

Table (1): Admittance and density of selected construction elements (1)

- Earth edges can be used to shelter buildings from heat extremes. Since
the temperature a few meters below ground level is fairly constant,
underground buildings are able to release heat to the ground through
conduction when their interiors are warmer and draw heat from it
when their interiors are cooler. The earth also acts as an insulation for
temperature extremes. Earth coupled cooling involves partial or full
earth-sheltering of a building, or circulating air through earth tubes
driven into the ground in either closed or open spaces (2). It is
important to design earth sheltered buildings to provide adequate
ventilation in order to remove both moisture and heat. Fig (1) shows
various designs for light and ventilation of different types of earth
sheltering.

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 Fig (1) Supplying light and ventilation for earth sheltered buildings

- The amount of radiation absorbed at the surface of the mass depends

partially on the colour of the surface, lighter colours absorb less and
reflect more of the incident radiation.

Plan Shape:

Buildings can be shaped to allow for maximum exposure to summer

breezes and induce air movement. In single courtyard plans, air flows
from the court to the environment in a short time and multiple courtyards
works as follows, at night cold air accumulates in courtyards forming
bigger temperature gradient in deeper courtyards and during daytime cool
air flows from deep court towards larger courts, fig (2). Permeable
buildings can use open plans for cross-ventilation, stack ventilation or
both. In hot climates at night, air movement is frequently slow, in which
case stack ventilation becomes an important strategy, combined strategies
may also be applied for different rooms in the same building, fig (3). Thin
plan buildings will have daylight available for each space. fig (4) as the
amount of light that reaches the interior of a room lit from one side is a
function of the distance from the window.

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 Fig (2): Fig (3): Fig (4):
Multi-courtyard system Open plans for cross-ventilation Thin plan enhances daylight

Section

Some architectural forms use the principles of interior energy flow to

induce cooling effect which is shown in the section of the building like
cool towers which are large vertical tubes at least 25 ft. above ground, in
top of it is a water soaked air filter that cools air that passes through it.
The heavier cool air flows down and out of the tower through a large
opening to cool the surrounding space, fig. (5). Cool tubes are simply
long tubes 8 to 24 inches in diameter buried in earth and open to the
interior of a structure at one end and to the outside air at the other. As air
moves through the tube, pulled from outside to inside by means of a fan,
the surrounding earth cools it through its relatively constant temperature,
drainage of condensate collecting in the tubes is provided by sloping the
tube downward to the outside end. Sky lights, louvers and clerestorey
windows can provide many low energy solutions including controlling
the heat gain of a building or allowing the escape of hot air during
summer. Wind tower ventilators differ from passive stocks in that they
are larger in diameter and have dividers to allow them to act as wind
driven ventilators(3), they perform both supply and extract, fig (6). A
naturally forced ventilation system is the solar chimney that provides a
draft as the air in it heats and rises and is expelled. The heating efficiency
is improved with a black metal covering that absorbs solar heat and by
lining it with thermal mass materials so that it continues to function after

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sunset. Ventilation occurs even when there is no wind and is very
effective in extracting stale, hot air from within the building.

Fig (5): Evaporative cool towers Fig (6): Wind tower ventilator

When designing a scheme for both cross ventilation and stack ventilation
parts of the section must be kept open to air movement, fig (7), also stack
ventilation through rooms is increased by greater distance between high
and low openings. Wind catchers can capture breezes above roof level for
buildings whose windows have little access to breezes, mean wind
velocity increases with height above the ground, so wind towers can
admit winds of significantly higher speeds and therefore their openings
can be smaller than windows at ground level, wind towers can potentially
admit wind from any direction, fig (8).

Fig (7): Open section for ventilation Fig (8): Wind catcher

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With direct or indirect light, there may be unwanted solar heat gain and
glare. This can be addressed with overhangs and low emissivity glazing.
Light shelves and laser cut glazing minimize heat gain yet enable light to
penetrate. The light levels at the rear of the space can be greatly affected
by reflectors or light shelves at the window wall, it is important that the
surface that first reflects the daylight be light in colour to increase the
amount of light reflected into the space, fig (9). Table (2) shows
recommended finish reflectances.
Surface Recommended
reflectance (%)
Ceilings 70-80
Walls 40-80
Floors 20-40
Table (2) Recommended finish reflectances

Ventilation, light and solar gain may be accommodated with separated or

combined openings. The roof monitors in fig(10) combine the tasks and
change their role seasonally, they provide stack ventilation and day
lighting in summer and solar heating and day lighting in winter. Basic
passive heating systems: direct gain, thermal storage walls, attached sun
space can be adapted by shading and ventilation to store coolth in
summer.

Fig (9): Using reflectors to increase light levels Fig (10): Roof monitor

2.2. Specific Aspects of Building Form

Plan Orientation
Buildings can be oriented to allow for maximum exposure to summer
breezes and cross ventilation can be enhanced by facing the building at an

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oblique angle to the prevailing wind. When openings cannot be oriented
to the prevailing breeze, landscaping or wing walls, fig (11) can be used
to alter the positive and negative pressure zones around the building and
induce flow through windows parallel to the prevailing wind directions.

Fig (11): Wing walls induce wind flow

Courtyards and atria

Cool night air can be captured in enclosed external spaces such as
courtyards. It is most effective in high mass well insulated buildings.
Shady courtyards are tall and narrow and can be used as cold air sinks. In
tall courts, wind blowing over the building won’t disturb the air in the
court, and dust, which is primarily held in air near the ground, will be
kept out of the inner parts of the building. At night, the building’s roof
and the court, especially its floor, radiate heat to the cold night sky
directly overhead. Air that is next to these surfaces’ cools and settles to
the bottom of the court. The cold air in the court cools the surrounding
surfaces. During the day the court remains more comfortable than
exposed out door areas because its surfaces and the ambient air are
relatively cool(4), fig (12). An atrium or light court within a building can
provide light to surrounding rooms. An evaporative strategy is to locate
water sprays at the top of the atrium which serve as a curtain of cooled air

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between the atrium and adjacent balconies, the air then escapes at low
level. (5), fig (13).

Fig (12): Shady courtyards work as cold air sinks Fig(13): Water sprays provide cold air curtain

Landscape

Evaporative cooling involves placing a body of water such as a fountain,

pool or saturated membrane in the path of a breeze. For water to
evaporate, it requires energy that it takes in the form of heat from the air
and thus cools it. Planting trees provide shade and a cooling effect caused
by the evaporation of the water released by the leaves. Deciduous trees
and vines can allow the sun to shine in during winter and block it out in
summer, in fig (14) the vines provide filtered light while blocking
approximately 60% of the solar gain on the wall. In (fig 15) nine sunken
reflecting pools are used to cool air taken in at the basement level. The air
is then drawn into the central hall and exhausted through a vent in the top
of the structure, using fan assistance when required.

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Fig (14): Vines used as sun shade Fig (15): The use of sunken pools in cooling

2.3. Main Building Elements

Roof

Design features like mirror-tube skylights, light wells, light shelves and
up lighter glazing panels are used to distribute light further into internal
spaces by reflecting daylight off the ceiling. In hot climates double roofs
are used in which the outer uninsulated roof reflects the sun’s rays, air
flows between the two roofs to dissipate the heat emanating from the top
roof, and the lower roof (which is insolated) forms a barrier to the warm
air and radiation from the top roof. Night sky radiant cooling utilizes the
fact that the temperature of the sky is lower than the temperature of the
ground surface, resulting in a net radiant transfer to the sky. The simplest
night sky radiant cooling system is a massive roof that is covered with
movable insulating shutters during the day and exposed at night. The
mass needs to be directly exposed to the space below so the roof can
absorb heat from the space. Common systems include roof ponds, where
the thermal mass is water enclosed in plastic bags or under glass,
supported by a flat roof. Spraying the roof mass with water so it can lose
heat by both evaporation and radiation can augment the heat loss.
Circulating air past the underside of the ceiling can cool the building. In

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winter the shutters are removed during the day to collect heat that is then
released into the building through the ceiling at night. Fig. (16), (17)

Fig (16): Nocturnal radiator Fig (17): Ventilated roof ponds

Phase change cooling system draws daytime warm external air by fan
over an array of fluid-filled heat pipes. The pipes conduct heat to storage
modules containing a solid phase change material which, located in the
ceiling void, absorb the heat as they slowly melt during the day providing
cool ventilation air fig (18), during the night the opposite occurs. Shutters
to the outside air are opened and the fan reverses direction to draw the
cool air over the phase change material causing the material to solidify.

Fig (18): Phase change cooling

Walls

Walls and window placement are important for efficient circulation of

summer breezes, sizing the inlet area equal to the outlet area and
horizontally shaped windows work best for ventilation. Protruding wing
walls or open casement windows can act as scoops to enhance wind
capture and can also generate different localized air pressures on the same
side of a building, greatly increasing the air flow through the adjacent

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space. Moveable shading elements can provide more flexible and
responsive control, overhangs that can be extended in summer and
retracted in winter or canopies that can be removed entirely in winter are
most effective. A layer of overhead shades protects the building and
courtyard from the high sun, while a layer of vertical shades can protect
from low sun. Light shelves beyond the exterior surface, evenly distribute
light and reduce glare if extended into the space. At the same time it can
reflect light off its top surface through the upper glazing to the ceiling,
where it is then reflected deeper into the space fig (19). Day light
enhancing shades can protect windows from solar gain while preserving
sky view, reflecting daylight, and reducing glare. The louvers are tightly
spaced near the buildings to shade the high sun and loosely spaced farther
away to shade law sun while allowing air circulation within the shade
itself to reduce heat transfer from it to the interior space fig (20).

Fig (19): The use of light shelves to distribute light Fig (20): Loosely spaced shades

An internal shading layer behind the window or an in-between shading

layer separating two glazing panes can reduce solar heat gain. An
important consideration with insulation is its placement with respect to
the two areas to be thermally separated, the insulation, insulation curtains
or panels would function more effectively on the outside(6). Double skin
materials should be selected to reflect solar heat gain and avoid
transmitting heat to the inner layer, this can be attained through

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absorptivity of outer skin, emissivity of cavity and rate of ventilation in it
fig (21). Thermochromic glass depends on “clear gel” which is a clear
film which when heated above room temperature reflects sunlight by
turning an opaque white, turning clear again when cooled. Electrochromic
glass depends on certain compounds that undergo reversible colour
changes when a small voltage is applied across a thin layer causing a
change in the oxidation state. It changes colour from clear to blue when a
current is passed across it fig (22). Prizamtic glazings are designed to
optimize day lighting by high precision coated plastic components filted
to glazing; they act to redirect light from window areas that are too bright
further into a room through calculation of light angle. Other types can be
used to reject excess sunlight through the same mechanism. Low contrast
between the window frame and adjacent walls will reduce glare and
improve vision fig (23).

Fig (21) Fig (22) Fig (23)

Section of double-skin wall Electrochromic glass panel Low contrast between window & wall

Floor

Ground coupling using air: the system operates by passing air through a
network of pipes set at 2-5m below ground. The soil temperature is
roughly the same as the average yearly ambient temperature. Best results
are obtained when the circuit of pipes is positioned within gravel or sand
and below the water table. The cooled air can be used directly as a
cooling agent or it can provide air for ventilation fig (24).

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 Fig (24): Ground coupling using air

3. Analysis of some local case studies:

3.1 Introduction
The range of cases is based on both traditional and contemporary
buildings, the traditional demonstrate that the climate response
has been optimized over time while the contemporary help
examine the way traditional approaches have been developed to
adapt to the modern context. In hot aid regions, buildings tend to
employ a combination of measures to suit local climatic
characteristics. Historical studies of pharaonic settlements show
that even the ancient civilizations recognized regional climatic
adaptation as an essential principle in architecture that was
obvious in introducing massive thick wall buildings to make use
of the time lag in cooling, using courtyards where cold air
accumulates at night and flows to the spaces during the day and
provide natural light, vaults reduced the area exposed to direct
sun light, wind catchers were used for ventilation, clerestories
were introduced for homogeneous natural light, atriums to
modify lighting and thermal environment as well as earth
sheltered parts of the buildings fig (25).

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 Fig (25): Climate adaptive pharaonic buildings

Islamic buildings used the potentials offered by the climate to

produce dramatic designs that enhance the comfort of the
occupants. High massive walls were used, multiple courtyard
system that accumulates the night cold air and at daytime the
cool air flows from deep courts towards larger courts, cross-
ventilation was provided also through courtyards. Also using
landscape and water in providing evaporative cooling in
buildings and roofing with domes and vaults. Wind catchers,
wind shafts and wind towers were built to cool internal spaces
and latticework screens were used to shade the interior while
allowing sunlight to filter through it fig (26).

Fig (26): The use of courtyard, wind shafts and domes for cooling purposes in Sultan Hassan
Mosque

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 The following case studies are being analyzed according to the
previous criteria illustrated in part 2.

3.2 Market place at the village of New Bariz Egypt

In his design, the architect decided to employ a system of
internal courtyards as a primary means of climate control along
with shading. He stressed that thermal comfort in the design he
proposed depended on the natural control of air temperature, air
movement, relative humidity and radiation fig (27).

Mass/ material
Massive ground coupled buildings of mud brick walls with paraffin
and bitumen emulsions used as stabilizers.
Plan shape
Rectangular shape with internal courtyard as means of cooling
ventilation and natural light fig (28).

Fig (27): Layout of New Bariz village Fig (28): Plan of the market place

Section
A serious of unidirectional wind catchers were designed. The shops
on the windward direction of the courtyard can be cross-ventilated,
but they would block much of the wind to shops on the leeward
side of the courtyard. To solve this, wind is captured high and
directed down to two levels, one below ground for storage of food.
Air can then exit out an updraft stack ventilation tower that is
capped with slated metal louvers to increase suction. To add to

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 their cooling capacity, the windward towers had straw mats
hanging inside them which were dampened by a hand pump at
regular intervals during the day. fig (29)
Courtyards
The courtyard reduces diffused light and glare and contains cooled
air from evaporative cooling.
Roof
Vault and dome system in stabilized mud brick offers the
maximum radiant surface. Fig (30)

Fig (29): Section clarifying ventilation system Fig (30): Roofscape of New Bariz market

Walls
Solid walls were made of mud brick with paraffin and bitumen
emulsions used as stabilizers, small openings admitted night time
ventilation.

3.3 Showrooms at Harraneya Arts Center

The project is adapted to the environment, enhancing the role of
earth as a building material and demonstrating organization of
volumes and the subtle use of light.
Mass/materials
Barrel-vaulted block with a series of small domed spaces alongside
it. Building material is mud brick laid in mortar, providing time lag
insulation fig (31), (32).

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 Fig (31): Harraneya Arts Center Fig(32): Plan of showrooms

Section
The showrooms are lit by shafts of sunlight from oculi in the
vaulting roof, fig (33).
Orientation
The east-west orientation of the main axis enables catching northerly
winds. With the main axis in the shade all day, there is a reservoir of
relatively cool air on which the south-facing workshops can draw.
Roofs
Barrel vaults and small domes are pierced by small circular openings
to admit shafts of sun light. Roofs are sealed with a cement, lime and
gypsum rendering to improve insulation, any rain water is thrown
clear of the walls by pipes through the parapets. Fig (34).

Fig (33): Daylight shafts. Fig (34): Oculi in the vaulting roof

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Walls
Seventy cm thick walls were used, perforated brickwork filters the
light, interior walls of workshops are white washed to increase light
reflectivity and those of showrooms kept their natural earth colour.
Floors
Natural materials were used, mainly compacted earth, the main axis
being set with rough-hewn lime stone.

3.4 Residential house in Cairo

Mass
High massive building with thick walls.
Plan Shape
Rectangular in shape with almost half of the building foot print used
for an outdoor room that is an open courtyard. Fig (35), (36).

Fig (35): Half of the building footprint is an open courtyard Fig(36): Screen on openings

Courtyard
The main part of the sunken courtyard is open to the sky developing
cold air flow and provides natural ventilation and offer range of
options from full shade to sun.
Landscape
A sunken fountain in the courtyard provides evaporative cooling.
Roof
Vaults and domes were used offering maximum radiant heat surface.

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Walls
High walls that shade the court during summer mornings and
afternoons. Windows in walls allow enough air to move through for
night cooling, while screens help to provide turbulence and remove
dust from the air.

3.5 University of Helwan, New Campus

Mass
Contiguous massive buildings capture and store the cooler night
temperatures for natural ventilation. Fig (37)
Plan Shape
Concentrated, compact building strategy with contiguous grouping
of courtyard buildings providing cross-ventilation. By placing
buildings closely together, the surface area exposed to solar radiation
is minimized.
Section
Wind shafts oriented to the prevailing wind for ventilation.
Orientation
The group of buildings are properly oriented to the sun and
prevailing wind to moderate the microclimate conditions to eliminate
costly air conditioning and heating systems.
Landscape
Compact exterior spaces tend to channel air flow and ensure
sufficient protection from the climate so that trees and vegetation
survive for evaporative cooling and shading purposes, fig (38).

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 Fig (37): Compact building strategy Fig (38): Grouping of courtyard buildings.

Courtyards
Courtyards provide cross-ventilation shaded areas and uniform
lighting.
Roof
Solid to reflect sun radiation.
Walls
Massive walls with well shaded windows to the outside & intensive
openings on the courtyard to provide cross ventilation and natural
light.

3.6 Egyptian University for Science & Technology

The building comprises and integral environmental system which
provides a balance between natural and built environment. The
environmental design system developed traditional climatic
strategies into a modern dimension. Fig (39), (40)

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 Fig (39): The use of multiple courtyards Fig (40): Building elevation

The use of multiple courtyards in the campus resulted in the

variability in the volumes of cold air stored during right and in the
variation of shaded areas during day time producing differences in
air movement from courts with low air temperature to those with
higher air temperature through internal spaces.

The Research Center Building

Plan Shape
Rectangular with an atrium to modify natural lighting and thermal
environment by developing a cool core.
Section
The building has 4 wind catching shafts serving 4 equal zones. The
shafts are high enough to scoop cold air coming from the north
direction and directs it to different spaces of the building through the
corridors to the rooms. The original design of the roof was intended
to be double roofing for heat insulation but was cancelled due to
budget constraints. Fig (41)
Orientation
The building is oriented towards the prevailing wind direction to
allow air from north in summer and prevent the dusty southerly wind
in spring and provide uniform daylighting.

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Atrium
An atrium was located in the center of the building surrounded by all
building zones. It is covered by a series of pyramidal shapes, the
three tilted surfaces of the pyramids are concrete slabs and the fourth
glazed vertical surface is oriented towards the north to provide
uniform day light and prevent the penetration of direct sun light and
thus glare. Fig (42)

Fig (41): Section revealing atrium and wind shafts Fig (42): Atrium distributes daylight to building zones

Roof
Flat, light in colour roof to reflect solar radiation, with the exception
of the atrium roof covered by pyramidal shapes.
Walls
Walls act as separating units between the inner and the outer
environment. Opening were treated by two methods, horizontal
louvers for the southern facades and vertical for eastern and western
facades. Windows were deeply set surrounded by storage units
which act as heat and noise insulation. Area of openings in the
northern facade were twice those in the southern facade and four
times the openings in the eastern and western facades.

The University Central Library Building

Plan Shape
There are two parts with an atrium designed between to provide a
cool core over the main entrance hall. Fig (43), (44).

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 Fig (43): The Central Library Building Fig (44): Ground Floor Plan

Section
The atrium is covered with glass domes to provide homogeneous
daylighting and chimney effect where it courages the movement of
hot air upwards and out of the space and the hot air is replaced by
cold air from northern openings. Book stacks are located south for
heat insulation. Fig (45)
Roof
The roof of the reading hall is inclined towards north and is covered
with pyramidal shapes, three sides concrete and the fourth tinted
glazing open towards north for ventilation and homogeneous
daylight. In summer, cool air entering the reading areas through the
roof will finally exit the building through openings in the glass dome
covering the atrium, in winter, air heated by the chimney effect of
the glass domes covering the atrium is used to heat the buildings, fig
(46).

Fig (45): Section of atrium and inclined roof Fig (46): Pyramidal roof shapes

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Walls
Eastern and western facades have vertical louvers to prevent direct
sun radiation and provide northern orientation to eastern and western
facades.

3.7 New and Renewable energy Authority Building

The building was designed as an application of passive cooling
methods of double walls, heat insulation, ventilation pipes. Passive
cooling proved effective in reducing temperature inside the building
10°C as long as the outside temperature does not exceed 35°C where
central air conditioning is applied.
Mass/material
Earth coupled mass, well shaded by corbel and insulated by double
roof and cavity walls the external of cement aggregate and the
internal of gypsum blocks and polyurethane insulating sheet in
between, fig (47).
Plan Shape
U shaped building of thin plan depths to facilitate ventilation,fig (48)
Section
The double roof system formed tunnels in the north south direction.
Electric fans are used on the north end of the tunnels to enhance air
movement and thus cool the air inside the tunnels at night. In the
morning these fans are closed by shutters to keep cool air inside.
The eastern and western facades have openings in the external part
of the double wall covered by aluminum louvers beneath and above
the window. This facilitates the movement of the cold air from the
louver opening to ventilate the double wall and then goes out as hot
air from the upper openings, fig (49), (50).
The space system used in the ground floor is composed of a series of
air ducts under ground floor to get fresh air through electric fans to

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 force the air from the air inlet through an air filter to remove dust
and small particles then the air passes through a series of air ducts of
C.S.A of 40x40cm2 by the whole length of the building. These ducts
reach vertical shafts to transfer air to the different rooms in different
levels of the building. This system makes use of the low constant
temperature of the ground so that the air loses temperature during its
movement through the long ducts in the ground floor to earth by
conduction. The courtyard attracts the air through its location in
north direction towards air electric fan which takes the cooled air
from lower level of the courtyard through an air filter to remove the
dust and then supply cold fresh air to laboratories in the ground
floor. The hot air which accumulates in the laboratories is sucked
through openings in the suspended ceiling to outside the building by
means of electric fans.

Plan Orientation
The U shaped building is located towards prevailing wind direction.

Landscape
Planted areas around the building and in the courtyard together with
the fountain lose a part of its temperature as a result of evaporation
caused by northern and north-western winds, thus cooling the air in
the courtyard and the spaces around it.

Courtyard
The courtyard is located towards the north direction to make use of
the cold air to ventilate this part of the building through lower
openings in the wall to attract the air by means of an electric fan.
Fountains and green areas are used to enhance evaporative cooling.

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Roof
A double roof was used, the lower part is a structural concrete slab
while the upper one is made of precast units settled on brick masonry
walls of height 80cm forming tunnels in the north-south direction,
fig (51).

Fig (47): Corbel and protruding concrete shades Fig (48): Thin plan depths

Fig (49): Window Isometric Fig (50): Window Section

Fig (51): Roof detail

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 Fig (52): Northern-southern wall Fig (53): Eastern-western wall

Fig (54): Floor air space system

Walls
External walls differ in thickness and material according to the
orientation and to the thermal load. East and west walls were
designed as cavity walls of total thickness 35cm with an insulation
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 sheet of polyurethane panel of thickness 5cm in between. Air
movement through the cavity is provided by means of an air inlet in
the walls under the windows and outlets above them. All windows
have precast concrete sheds protruding 30cm from all sides. Corridor
windows are covered by an aluminum grid of thickness 6cm to
prevent direct sun radiation, fig (52).
Northern and southern double walls consist of cement aggregate
external wall and internal solid gypsum blocks with insulation of
5cm polyurethane between them. The total thickness of the wall is
30cm, fig (53).
Floor
Ground floor air space system was used, fig (54).

3.8 Indoor Climate Central Practice in Toshky Region

Toshky region is a desert region located to the southeast of the
Egyptian western desert. Features that characterizes the climate
there is aridity, high summer daytime temperatures, large diurnal
temperature variations, low relative humidity and high solar
radiation. The target was to keep indoor climate within control
level passively by using materials with high heat resistance
coefficient.

Mass/Material
A light coloured ground coupled high mass built of Leka cement
insulating blocks (40x30x20cm). Insulating materials have been
added to sandstone blocks to improve its thermal characterization,
fig (55), (56).

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 Fig (55): Single courtyard plan Fig (56): Final view of the new building

Section
Wind catchers were supplied with water reservoirs to enhance
evaporative cooling inside the building.
Landscape
Plants were used in the courtyard provide evaporative cooling.
Courtyard
The parapet of the courtyard was elevated one meter off the flat parts
of the roof so as to allow the movement of hot air upwards which
provides a constant supply of cold air in the courtyard which is
covered by a wooden pergola to reduce direct sunlight.
Roof
Vaults and domes were used to reduce the area exposed to direct
sunlight. It was built of 25cm thick hollow blocks and covered with
7cm heat insulation and then the finishing layer. Vaults and domes
were supplied with small openings which open at night to get rid of
hot air.
Walls
Walls are made of (40x30x20cm) Leka blocks insulated with
polystyrene. During daytime the external layer of Leka and plaster
absorbs and stores heat and at night the temperature of this layer is
higher than the outside air so heat is directed outwards.

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3.9 The National Pottery Center In Fustat
Mass
Well shaded ground coupled mass by means of compact composition
light in colour to reflect more of incident radiation, fig (57).

Fig (57): Domes and vaults provide radiant heat surface

Plan Shape
Thin plan depths (to facilitate ventilation) around a single courtyard.
Section
Open section to maximize ventilation vaults and domes were used
with high openings to provide homogenous day lighting and prevent
glare, fig (58).

Fig (58): Plan and section of the building

Courtyard
Provides diffused light and reduces glare, contains cold air from
evaporative cooling.

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Roof
Vaults and domes as maximum radiant heat surface.

Walls
Small well-shaded recessed windows and some large openings
covered with perforated surfaces to filter light and remove dust from
the air.

3.10 New AUC Campus

The design approach aimed an integration between natural systems
and built features using innovative technology, fig (59), (60).

Fig (59): Fig (60):

Compact structures & series of courtyards Landscape providing evaporative cooling & shading possibilities

Mass
The campus is designed around a series of courtyards, one leading to
another, compact scale of structures helps to minimize sun exposure
on facades.
Landscape
Plants, trees, water pools and fountains provide evaporative cooling
and shading possibilities.
Orientation
The whole complex faces north east orientation.

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4. Conclusion:
Climatic responsive design is considered one of the elements of the
ongoing sustainable development adopted now in Egypt: The government
started to encourage this approach for its positive environmental impact,
this comes after the vast increase since 1985 in both research and
applications of climatic design, especially in the areas of passive cooling
and daylighting. The timing of the consideration of climatic issues in the
design process is very important. Most decisions that affect building’s
energy use occur during the schematic design stage of the project. The
designer has to think about cooling, ventilation and daylighting within the
context of thinking about architectural elements and their relationships
and that helps the designer to fit the forms generated by energy concerns
with forms generated by other architectural issues. For the effectiveness
of climatic treatments the architect has to ensure that the building
envelope should be capable of constant adjustment to accommodate
climatic changes through the flexibility of the systems used.

References:
Books:
1) Randall Thomas, Max Fordham Partners, Environmental Design, St.
Edmunsburg Press, Great Britain, 1999.
2) Craig A. Langston and Grace K.C. Ding, Sustainable Practices in the
Built Environment, Reed Educational and Professional Publishing
Ltd., London, 2001.
3) Tom Woolley and Sam Kimmins, Green Building Handbook, St.
Edmundsbury Press, Great Britain, 2000.

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4) G.Z. Brown and Mark Kekay, Sun, Wind & Light, John Wiley &
Sons. INC., Canada, 2001.
5) Peter.F.Smith, Sustainability At The Cutting Edge, Gray Publishing,
Kent, 2003.
6) John Tillman Lyle, Regenerative Design For Sustainable
Development, John Wiley, Canada, 1994.
7) James Steele, Sustainable Architecture, Mc Graw Hill, 1997.
8) Richard Hyde, Climate Responsive Design, E. Et FN Spon, London,
2000.
9) David Lloyd Jones, Architecture and The Environment, The Overlook
Press, New York 1998.

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