Course: Climate Responsive Design (3672) Semester: Spring, 2020

ASSIGNMENT - 1

Q.1 How can we use the Climate Responsive Design to achieve sustainability?
Explain with applicable examples in your context.

1. Introduction

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Climate is the average weather condition of meteorological variables such as temperature,
humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation in a place over long periods of time, the
standard average period being 30 years. The climate of a region is determined by the climate
system consisting of five components namely: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere,
lithosphere, and biosphere. The climate of a location is affected by its latitude, terrain,
altitude and water bodies.
The design of pleasant buildings that ensure physiological comfort of users is achieved only
through an understanding of the climate and environment (the adjacent system) and the
human responsive systems. For instance, in the northern part of Nigeria the climate is
characterized by a long dry season associated with cold and dry harmattan wind, high
temperature range and intense sunlight. The climate calls for design solutions that can vitiate
the cold and biting winds while providing a cool respite from the intense heat of the mid-day
sun. The impact of solar heat is enormous and has to be contended with in achieving
comfortable interiors. Southern Nigeria on the other hand lies within the equatorial and sub-
equatorial rain forests and has the warm-humid climate of the tropics. The climate is
characterized by heavy rainfall and high temperature. In warm-humid conditions two main
requirements are necessary for the physiological comfort of users: these are thermal
insulation and cross ventilation.
Climate change and global warming
Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature,
precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change
may result from human activities (through burning fossil fuels, deforestation, reforestation,
urbanization) and natural factors (changes in the sun's intensity) and processes internal to the
earth (changes in ocean circulation, volcanic eruptions, desertification). Global warming is an
average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the earth's surface which can
contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming can occur from a variety of
causes, both natural and human induced. In common usage, global warming often refers to
the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from
human activities.
Sustainable architecture and housing quality
Sustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally conscious design
techniques. It seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by
enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development of
space. Different terms are used for sustainable design including ‘green architecture’ ‘climate-
responsive architecture’, ‘high - performance architecture’. These have one key objective
which is to apply sustainable principles through the entire life cycle of a building, from
planning to disposal.
Environmental comfort and energy saving procedures constitute the indicators that can be
applied in the conception, construction and use of buildings. Thus light, air, space, health and
efficiency constitute structuring elements in the concept of sustainable construction. Building
functionality, architectural design, accessibility, ergonomics, along with the quality of
materials and constructive features, contribute decisively to the sensitive comfort of people,
influencing the population’s quality of life, and the sociocultural value of the interventions.
The use and organization of space can also play an important role in environmental
conditions.

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The use of low carbon materials and low carbon construction techniques has been in practice
in Nigeria for a long time. Building earth is the traditional material for construction and has
been used for centuries30. Extensive research has been carried out in the country and has
resulted in the use of stabilized bricks for walling which could offer low carbon solutions.
Stabilized earth brick houses are appropriate for a variety of climates in Nigeria and are
ideally suited for passive solar heating and cooling. They are warm in cold seasons and cool
in hot seasons with little or no need for auxiliary or mechanical energy. Stabilized earth brick
houses require substantially less fossil fuel-derived energy to build, than the conventional
sand Crete buildings commonly found in many urban centers in Nigeria. Reduced energy
consumption would provide a wide range of environmental benefits particularly reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions. Design is the first step in achieving sustainable architecture.
Energy-efficient housing design strategies include the following: passive solar design, proper
insulation, day lighting, natural ventilation, landscaping, material selection and use of solar
power.

Figure 1: Weather effects

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Figure 2: Humidity impacts on climate

Figure 3: Precipitation Effects

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2.Innovative Examples of Sustainable Design
Sustainability is the latest buzz word. Anyone can help prevent global warming by
incorporating some sort of renewable energy in their home. See how these famous sustainable
structures operate with renewable energy and in turn, cut their energy bills and reduce carbon
emissions.
2.1. Bahrain World Trade Centre
The Bahrain World Trade Centre is a revolutionary structure. It is the first commercial
building to use wind turbines on a horizontal axis, attached to the actual building for
electricity. The wind powers a generator resulting in electricity. The Bahrain World Trade
Centre has just over 15% of its entire energy needs powered by the 675 kW (kilowatt)
turbines.
The Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC) has received multiple awards in the area of
sustainability. This is Kingdom’s first intelligent building which features an array of
sophisticated SMART features.
BWTC serves as a revolutionary model for innovation in green design as the first skyscraper
in the world to integrate large-scale wind turbines within its building’s structure. The Bahrain
World Trade Centre is a 50-story complex which has the height of over 240 meter (787ft). It
also ranks as the second-tallest building in Bahrain.
The towers are linked via three 30-meter sky bridges, each holding a 225kW wind turbine,
totalling to 675 kW of wind power capacity. The three 29-meter (95 ft) diameter wind
turbines are expected to provide around 10-15% of the power for both towers, representing
about 3.5% of the total cost of the project.
Wing-like shape and curvature of the two towers act as a wing of an airplane and funnel sea
breeze from the Arabian Gulf between them. They create a negative pressure zone behind the
buildings that draws more air through the gap like the wings of an airplane. This suction
effect raises wind speed by up to 30% at each of the rotors to boost electricity production.
BWTC stands as a twin tower complex in the city of Manama. The building offers
spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and Manama’s cityscape.

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 Figure 4: Bahrain-World-Trade-Center-Wind-Turbines

2.2.  Kurilpa Bridge

In Brisbane Australia, the Kurilpa Bridge holds the title of the largest foot bridge powered by
solar panels. Solar photovoltaic systems are the easiest and most common form of renewable
energy within residential homes, and now in public structures as well. The Kurilpa bridge
save 37.8 tonnes of carbon emissions yearly as its LED lighting system is powered solely by
the sun.

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 Figure 5: Kurilpa Bridge

Imagine having your entire home’s electric system reliant on the sun; you’ll never have to
pay an electricity bill again – hot water heaters, appliances and lights; every electrical
function in your home can be powered by the sun.

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2.3. Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Devil’s Thumb Ranch was one of the first resorts to start collecting surrounding solid waste
and regenerate it for various functions. This process is fundamental to the ranch’s sustainable
practices as it is in rocky, forest-rich Colorado. The environment is extremely important to its
residents and the eco ranch uses recycled products wherever possible and recycle everything
they can on the resort. This is an economical and easy energy solution to follow in your
home. Plastic, paper, glass and tin can all be recycled – divide them into separate garbage
containers and take them down to your nearest recycling branch. You’ll even get some cash
back for doing your part.

Figure 6: Devil’s Thumb Ranch

2.4. Robert Redford Building

A prime example of wastewater management is the Robert Redford Building located just
outside of Los Angeles. By using low-water fixtures, waterless urinals, efficient subsurface
irrigation, a grey water system for toilets and irrigation, and an effective rain harvesting
system, this building sets the bar for sustainable design and function. If your budget allows,
you too can install modern irrigation and grey water systems, these will dramatically cut your
water bill and decrease pressure on our natural resources.

If large structures can save carbon emissions on such a big scale, you too can follow suit by
making small changes to your home. It may not seem like much, but collectively, it can make
a huge difference.

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 Figure 7: Robert Redford Building

Reference:
1. https://www.imedpub.com/articles/climateresponsive-architecture-and-sustainable-
housing-in-nigeria.pdf
2. https://www.seradesign.com/climate-responsive-design/
3. https://www.architecturelab.net/innovative-examples-of-sustainable-design/
4. https://www.industrytap.com/bahrains-sustainable-architecture-helps-power-gigantic-
wind-turbines/17814#:~:text=Bahrain's%20Sustainable%20Architecture%20Helps
%20Power%20Itself%20with%20Gigantic%20Wind%20Turbines,-By%3A%20Nidhi
%20Goyal&text=The%20Bahrain%20World%20Trade%20Center,in%20the%20area
%20of%20sustainability.&text=The%20towers%20are%20linked%20via,kW%20of
%20wind%20power%20capacity.
5. Class Lectures

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