Shelter for

Composite Climate

Arch 133
Environmental Design
Introduction to Composite Climate
What is Composite Climate?

Composite climate is characterized by a

combination of two or more distinct climatic
conditions within a single region. This climatic type
is often found in transitional zones between major
climate types, and it exhibits characteristics of more
than one climate.
The characteristics of
Composite Climate include:
Seasonal Variations: Composite climates typically
experience significant seasonal variations in temperature
and precipitation. Usually, we see the patterns of warm-
humid or hot-dry climate in a specific region but in this case,
we also see a third season “Winter” which makes it more
challenging for the designer to adapt to its versatility

• Summer temperature: 32-45°C (daytime), 27-32°C (nighttime)

• Winter temperature: 10-25°C (daytime), 4-10 °C (nighttime)
 Precipitation Patterns: Composite climates may have
varying patterns of rainfall, including wet and dry seasons.
Some regions may experience monsoons, which lead to
distinct patterns of heavy rainfall
varies b/w 500–1300mm/year • Relative humidity: 20–25%
in dry periods and 55–95% in wet periods.
.
Human Adaptation: People living in regions with a
composite climate often adapt their lifestyles, clothing, and
housing to cope with the changing weather conditions.
Traditional agricultural practices and building designs may
reflect these adaptations. 5°C
 Ecological Diversity: The combination of different
climatic conditions within a composite climate can
result in a diverse range of ecosystems and
vegetation types. This diversity can support a wide
variety of plant and animal species.

Climate Details: Cloudy days:8-10 days in a month

Clear skies:20-22 days in a month
Average wind speed: 3-5 km/h
The intensity of solar radiation is very high in summer with diffuse radiation
amounting to a small fraction of the total. In monsoons, the intensity is low
with predominantly diffuse radiation. This region receives strong winds during
monsoons from the southeast and dry cold winds from the northeast.
In summer, the winds are hot and dusty
34°C
Geographical Distribution
Composite climates are typically found in transitional
zones between major climate types, where the
characteristics of two or more distinct climates overlap

Situation:
Large land masses near the tropics
of Cancer and Capricorn

Example Cities:
New Delhi, Mandalay, Kano,
Chattogram, Asuncion
Design Criteria
Orientation: The orientation of the houses
should be such that, penetration of the sun
rays is maximum in winter and minimum in
summer. Proper orientation also helps in
receiving natural light and ventilation.

Water Bodies: Water absorbs relatively large

amounts of radiation. It also allows evaporative
cooling. As a result, during the daytime areas
around water bodies are generally cooler. At night,
however, water bodies release relatively large
amounts of heat to the surroundings.
Window Shades: Window shades should cut
off the sun in the summer but allow the sun in
the underheated period. Further, the window
section should enhance air velocity while still
acting as shade. This could be achieved either
by introducing a planter at the window sill or by
adding smaller shades at the glazing.
Projections: Large projecting eaves and
wide verandahs are needed in composite
climates as out-door living areas, to reduce
sky glare, keep out the rain and provide
shade.
Ventilation
Good ventilation ensures ease of movement of air in a space, maintaining
the indoor air quality. For composite climates, reasonably large openings
on opposite walls are suitable, preferably with solid shutters that may be
opened when cross-ventilation is important.

The orientation of the openings is determined by two factors:

To utilize the cooling effects of the breeze prevailing during the warm-
humid season;
To utilise the heat of the sun during the cold season
Openings
To reduce the humidity ventilation openings (i.e. doors, windows, ventilators, and
corridors) are provided large in numbers.
Size of Openings: A small inlet opening with a large outlet provides the largest air velocity.
The best arrangement is full wall openings on both sides, with adjustable sashes or closing
devices which can assist in channeling the airflow in the required direction, following the
change of wind.
Position of Openings: In buildings air movement
must be ensured through the space mostly used by
occupants; through the living zone (up to 2m
height).
Control of openings: A gap between the building
face and canopy would ensure a downward
pressure, thus a flow is directed into the living
zones.
Thermal Insulation
Wall thickness: Walls work as an insulator of
heat so that they don't allow heat to attack the
building in summer and to spread outside from
the inside in winter. That is why the thickness
of walls is more than usual in some places.
Designers tune the thermal characteristics of
buildings so that they can maintain habitable internal
conditions using the minimum number of materials.
An interesting example would be Visvesvaraya
National Institute of Technology Nagpur (VNIT,
Nagpur), Maharashtra, placed in the composite
climatic zone of India. For the design, the architects
chose to keep all walls 230 mm thick, whereas the
west and south façade walls were provided with the
insulator (expanded polystyrene). This helped
prevent heat gain due to thermal mass.
Vegetation:
Delicious trees, creepers, and
vines provide shade when needed
and also allow the sun rays to
penetrate inside in the cool
season when they lose their
foliage.

Courtyard:
Courtyards should be designed
in such a way as to allow sun
penetration during the winter
months but provide shading in
the hot season.
Case Study

RESIDENCE IN PANCHKULA BY
Ar. Anant Mann and Siddhartha Wig

• This small residential unit is

located in these simple, cost-
effective techniques.
• City of Panchkula lies in Lower
Himalayas
• Panchkula experiences very wide
climatic swings over the year -hot
& and dry for two and half months
• Cold Period for shorter duration.
• Demand of the building: to
respond to extremes-Eliminate
heat gain in hot and dry periods,
maximize heat gain in cold periods.
 Conclusion
The composite climates are a culmination of the characteristics of
hot-dry and hot-humid climates. The dominant prevailing climatic
condition analysis helps choose design solution priorities. The
places that experience a composite climate are South Asia,
central South America, and south-eastern North America.

Thank you!
This presentation was done by
Sumaiya Akter Sraboni and Sifat E Noor Sahiba
ID: 2106018 & 2106020