Climatic Concepts, Elements

and Factor
Balquin, Barredo, Masculino
 Climate
Integrated whether conditions over several
years is generally referred to as climate. An
analysis of the climate of a particular region
can help in assessing the seasons or periods
during which a person may experience
comfortable or uncomfortable conditions.
 Types of Climates and
Corresponding Characteristics
 Arctic
It is characterized by long, cold winters and
short, cool summers.
Nearly all parts of the Arctic experience long
periods with some form of ice on the
surface
Average January temp. range : −40 to
0 °C (winter)
Average July temp. range : −10 to +10 °C
(summer)
 Temperate
It lies between the tropics and the polar
regions.
Changes in these regions between summer
and winter are generally relatively
moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold.
 Tropical & Subtropical
Are the region of the Earth near the equator.
This area includes all areas of the Earth where
the sun reaches a point directly overhead at
least once a year.
Tropical temperature remains relatively
constant throughout the year.
Seasonal variations are dominated by
precipitation.
 Equatorial
It is a tropical climate usually (but not always)
found along the equator
This climate typically feature tropical
rainforests.
Tropical rainforest climate is a type of tropical
climate in which there is little or no dry
season – all months have
mean precipitation values.
FACTORS AFFECTING
CLIMATE
Both weather and climate are characterized by the certain variables
known as climatic factors. They are as follows:
LOWERN

Lattitude
Ocean currents
Wind
Elevation
Relief
Nearness to Water
 Lattitude

Dependson how close or how far it is to the

equator
 Ocean Currents

Certain ocean currents have different

temperatures.
 Air Humidity
Air Humidity, which represents the amount
of moisture present in the air.
High Humidity accompanied by high
ambient temperature causes a lot of
discomfort.
 Precipitation

Is any form of water - liquid or solid - falling

from the sky.
Precipitation Includes Water in all its forms
rain, snow, hail or dew.
 Wind
Wind is the movement of air due to a
difference in atmospheric pressure.
It is a major design consideration for
architects because it affects indoor comfort
conditions by influencing the convective heat
exchanges of a building envelope, as well as
causing air infiltration into the building.
 Sky condition
Sky condition generally refers to the extent
of cloud cover in the sky or the duration or
sunshine.
Under sky conditions the intensity of solar
radiation increases; whereas it reduces in
monsoon due to cloud cover.
 Vegetation
Plants used for climate control, decidous shade
trees might be used to screen the hot summer sun
or in winter permit the solar radiation to
penetrate to the ground, or to the walls and
windows of a building.
Large shrubs can serve as windbreaks to reduce
wind velocities.
Changes in solar radiation or light levels are also
possible with shading.
Elements of Climate
Needed in Design
• Macro Climate – climate
of a region and/or the entire
country. It provides the
basis upon which micro-
climate can be estimated.
• Micro Climate – climate
of a site and its immediate
environs.
• Dry Bulb
Temperature(DBT) –
measurement of air
temperature measured under
a shade.
• Relative Humidity (RH)
– amount of moisture in the
air.
• Sky – (or celestial dome) is everything that lies
a certain distance above the surface of Earth,
including the atmosphere and the rest of outer
space. It is here defined as only the denser
portions of the atmosphere. Some of the natural
phenomena seen in the sky are clouds, rainbows,
and aurorae. Lightning and precipitation can also
be seen in the sky during storms. Due to human
activities, smog during the day and light
pollution during the night are often seen above
large cities.
 Principles and Strategies
of Climatic Design
In a climate such as ours, cooling is the main
factor affecting building design. Humidity
levels are also quite high along with high
summer temperatures in the high 30’s.
Therefore the control of solar heat gain is the
most important factor to be considered.
 Sources of heat gain
The proper use of shading devices can prevent direct
solar radiation from reaching all or part of the roof, walls
or windows of a building. Natural vegetation,
neighboring buildings or the surrounding landscape can
provide shading - for example on the north-facing slope
of a hill or valley.
Shading devices on the building (fixed or movable, the
latter being manually or automatically controlled) can
prevent radiation from reaching critical parts such as
windows, doors and even roofs.
Control of heat gain
Solar control involves the prevention of
unwanted solar heat gain taking into
consideration the following factors in
design:
Microclimate and site design
Building envelope
Control of internal gains.
Microclimate and site design

Landscaping can improve the microclimate

in both summer and cold/stormy season,
providing shading, evaporative cooling and
wind channelling in summer, or shelter in
cold season.
 Windbreaks can enhance air pressure
difference around buildings and
improve cross ventilation. Hedging, for
example, can allow a gentle breeze to
filter through the foliage, while a
masonry windbreak can create a calm,
sheltered zone behind it.
 Water can also be used effectively for
cooling of internal as well as
surrounding environment. Ponds,
streams, fountains, sprays and cascades
can be used where water is available in
summer. These are particularly
effective in dry conditions where
relative humidity levels are low.
 Orientation to sun and wind the
orientation of the building on site is
very important to achieve reduced
heat gain and improved wind
circulation and ventilation.
 Building shape and Planning the
configuration of the building and the
arrangement of internal spaces
according to function can help to
influence the exposure to incident solar
radiation, the availability of natural
daylight and airflow in and around the
building.
 Natural Ventilation provides
cooling by using air to carry heat
away from the building and from
the human body. Air movement
may be induced either by natural
forces (wind and stack effect) or
mechanical power.
Building envelope
• Design of Openings
• Shading systems
• Glazing
• Fixed shading systems
• Movable shading systems
• Vegetation
• Thermal insulation
• Air infiltration