Landscape Shading

One of the easiest ways to reduce solar heat gain and subsequent energy costs is as simple as planting a tree. The
strategic placement of trees, known as landscape shading or tree shading, is a technique used to provide shade from
the warm summer sun. Unobstructed solar heat can significantly increase indoor air temperature, which will frustrate
efforts to keep the house cool.

Solar control and shading can be provided by a wide range of building components including:

1. Landscape features such as mature trees or hedge rows.

2. Exterior elements such as overhangs or vertical fins.
3. Horizontal reflecting surfaces called light shelves.
4. Low shading coefficient (SC) glass.
5. Interior glare control devices such as Venetian blinds or adjustable louvers.
6. Aluminium architectural sunshade, horizontal sun control device, vertical fins

2. Fixed exterior shading devices

such as overhangs are generally most practical for small commercial buildings. The optimal length of an overhang
depends on the size of the window and the relative importance of heating and cooling in the building.

3. Intermediate Light shelves

4. Low shading coefficient (SC) glass

Shading coefficient (SC) is a measure of thermal performance of a glass unit (panel or window) in a building.

It is the ratio of solar gain (due to direct sunlight) passing through a glass unit to the solar energy which passes
through 3 mm Clear Float Glass. It is an indicator of how well the glass is thermally insulating (shading) the interior
when there is direct sunlight on the panel or window.

8 benefits of trees in your landscape

Trees serve as the structure of a landscape and form the walls and ceilings that create outdoor spaces. They can be
used to frame a view, serve as a focal point, form boundaries, act as a privacy screen, or create outdoor rooms.

1. Aesthetics.

Trees are creatures of beauty and grandeur. They offer beauty in each season with their form, bark, foliage, flowers,
fruit, and sometimes fragrance.

2. Shade and wind break.

The shade of trees, placed on the

south side of a house, can
significantly cool a house in the
summer with estimates of 30
percent lower air-conditioning bills
compared to an unshaded house.
In the summer, the temperature
under a tree can be 9 degrees
lower than an adjacent area and
up to 25 degrees lower than air
above nearby blacktop.
3. Architectural elements.

Trees serve as the structure of a landscape and form the walls and ceilings
that create outdoor spaces. They can be used to frame a view, serve as a
focal point, form boundaries, act as a privacy screen, or create outdoor
rooms. A particularly elegant example of an architectural space created by
trees is that formed by a double row (allée) of vase-shaped trees (e.g.,
American elm, American yellowwood). 

4. Noise abatement and pollution reduction.

Trees reduce noise levels, trap particulates, and

absorb carbon dioxide and gaseous pollutants. One
hundred trees can remove five tons of carbon
dioxide and 1,000 pounds of particulates and
gaseous pollutants in a year.

5. Property value.

Research has shown that an attractive landscape can

increase the value of a home by 5 percent to 11
percent.

6. Wildlife habitat.

Trees serve as a shelter, nesting site, food, perch,

and residence for many birds, mammals, and
insects. (Biodiversity)

7. Social and emotional value.

Trees serve as a link to nature, give a sense of well-

being, and are often the site of social events such as
picnics. Of course, children are tantalized by the
sight of a good climbing tree and a rope swing.

8. Erosion prevention and runoff reduction.

Tree canopies reduce the impact of raindrops on the

soil and the network of tree roots helps keep soil in place.

Exterior elements such as overhangs or vertical fins;

Fixed exterior shading devices such as overhangs are generally most practical for small commercial buildings. The
optimal length of an overhang depends on the size of the window and the relative importance of heating and cooling
in the building.

In the summer, peak sun angles occur at the solstice on June 21, but peak temperature and humidity are more likely
to occur in August. Remember that an overhang sized to fully shade a south-facing window in August will also shade
the window in April when some solar heat may be desirable.
The following design recommendations generally hold true:

Use fixed overhangs on south-facing glass to control direct beam solar radiation. Indirect (diffuse) radiation should be
controlled by other measures, such as low-e glazing.

To the greatest extent possible, limit the amount of east and west glass since it is harder to shade than south glass.
Consider the use of landscaping to shade east and west exposures.

Do not worry about shading north-facing glass

Remember that shading affects day-lighting; consider both simultaneously.

Do not expect interior shading devices such as Venetian blinds or vertical louvers to reduce cooling loads since the
solar gain has already been admitted into the work space. However, these interior devices do offer glare control and
can contribute to visual acuity and visual comfort in the work place.

Study sun angles. An understanding of sun angles is critical to various aspects of design including determining basic
building orientation, selecting shading devices, and placing Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels or solar
collectors.

Carefully consider the durability of shading devices. Over time, operable

shading devices can require a considerable amount of maintenance and
repair.

When relying on landscape elements for shading, be sure to consider the

cost of landscape maintenance and upkeep on life-cycle cost.

Shading strategies that work well at one latitude, may be completely

inappropriate for other sites at different latitudes. Be careful when
applying shading ideas from one project to another.

Examples of Shade Structures

Commercial shade sails also enhance the aesthetics of the outdoor area
at any organization, school, community park, pool or restaurant.

Kinetic Shade

Steel Shade Structures

 How Urban Landscapes are saving you and the planet:
5 Benefits of Urban Landscape Architecture

Good planning is crucial in urban landscaping. Multiple factors—including topography, property borders, utility
placements, fences and other structures, existing trees and turf grasses, climate, sun exposure, soil conditions,
irrigation, water drainage and maintenance costs—should influence every design choice.

1. Environmental Benefits
Trees promote sustainability by providing shade that reduces the need for air conditioning and fossil fuel
consumption. Trees also fight air pollution by "catching" and reducing airborne particles such as dust, smoke, pollen,
soot and liquid droplets, and gasses such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Some of these particulates are inhalable and can pass into the lungs and bloodstream, causing a variety of health
problems.

2. Climate Change

reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 50% and 85% by 2050 and limit temperature rise by 2 degrees celsius.

a study conducted by NASA, a 2 degrees increase in temperature would:

Wipe-out the chances of tropical reef recovery

Melt ice sheets and rise sea levels to a point that could wipe cities off the map

Limit the agricultural food supply by inhibiting the production of the actual food in crops such as corn

Limit fresh water supplies

3. Social Integration

Hi-tech gizmos may be fun, but they have a tendency to keep urban dwellers inside, on the couch, in bed, hooked on
social media, playing video games, passively watching others do things. The more time we spend with technology,
the less time we spend connecting with others face to face, nurturing relationships with neighbors and getting
involved in the community.

4. Physical and Mental Health

Green spaces encourage and increase physical activity, leading to numerous health benefits relevant to
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, mood disorders, psychological issues and
overall health. In addition, urban landscapes improve health through its effects on pollution and temperature.

5. Food Security

A hop from urban landscape architecture to urban landscape agriculture provides us with yet another benefit:
sustainability and food self-sufficiency. Food grown close to home through small-scale urban farming has a smaller
carbon footprint than food grown in other states or countries that must be transported thousands of miles. Not to
mention, it’s organic, free of pesticides, preservatives, and questionable GMOs.(genetically modified organism)

Food also brings people together in a community and promotes physical activity, positively affecting the health of
urban gardeners.