MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.

Arch (General) - THESIS 2017

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE INTEGRATED TOWNSHIP

Introduction:

Climate responsive architecture is defined as the architecture that deals with a design of
a building taking into account the relation between climate and environmental conditions to
provide comfort and meet the energy requirements without damaging the environment. It aims at
achieving occupant thermal and visual comfort by incorporating the elements of the local climate
effectively. This architecture blends design and natural elements (sun, wind, rain, water, soil,
vegetation, etc.) for heating, cooling and lighting using appropriate energy efficient systems and
technologies, such as passive systems and techniques. Hence, this reduces the negative impact
on the environment and sustains the ecosystem of which it is a part.

Climate responsive design is based on the way, a building form and structure moderates
the climate for human comfort. It takes into account, the following climatic parameters, which have
direct influence on indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption in buildings.

Climate:

Climate is defined as the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long
period. It can be broadly classified as Macro climate and Micro climate. Macro climate is the
climate of a larger area such as a region or country and Micro climate is the variation in localized
climate around a building. The macro climate and micro climate have a very important effect on
both the energy performance and environmental performance of buildings. The site affects
exposure to the prevailing winds, the solar radiation, pollution levels, and temperature also rain
penetration.

Macroclimate:

Macro climate of an area can help in the design of buildings using the general climatic data
obtained from the Meteorological department. This data gives a general impression of the climate
at the site of a building and the building can be designed accordingly.

Microclimate:

Microclimate is the distinctive climate of a particular area or region, depending upon various
factors, such as, wind, radiation, temperature and humidity. The microclimate of a site is affected
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by the following factors:

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1. Landform
2. Vegetation
3. Water bodies
4. Street width & Orientation
5. Open spaces & Built form.

A knowledge and understanding of the above factors helps in the design and layout of the site
plan as well as building design. The area may have many micro-climates caused by the presence
of hills, valleys, slopes, streams and surrounding structures. Buildings in the surroundings
themselves create microclimate by shading the ground and changing the wind flow pattern.

Climate Responsive Design: Passive strategies

Climate change has been on a rise and is now a global concern and research has shown
that 90% of this change is due to human activities (smith 2005). Thus, to bring down, the rate of
climate change through Sustainable design, designers and architects, have turned to history to
look upon useful examples. Throughout history, people have been building sustainably by the use
of natural materials available, that have had no or very minimal impact on the environment, but
with the introduction of new materials, such as glass, iron and concrete, during the Industrial
Revolution, have made structures undergo several transformations with changing technologies.

Key elements of Climate responsive design are passive systems that can be divided into
the following categories;

1. Passive solar heating systems

2. Passive natural cooling techniques, and
3. Systems and day lighting techniques / natural lighting.

Sustainable and integrated design is the key to ensure, that, structures can be built in an
environmentally friendly way, as well as to respond to the local climate. At a micro scale, passive
design strategies will ensure the well-being of the people living in these areas and at macro scale,
it will help in the reduction of global warming.

Townships: Definition

Townships are the format of the future, as they are self-sustained with residential,
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commercial, retail, institutional as well as industrial areas if required. They are mostly built on the
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periphery of the cities and can be identified as a potential solution to crowded urban areas. Most

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 MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General) - THESIS 2017

of the buildings in a township development are focused on repetitive units for dwellers, without
considering the needs and wants of the individuals, society and the environment. India is
urbanizing with a rapid increase in population, due to the migration of people from villages into
cities. This has resulted in the development of high density towers of repetitive units without taking
into considerations, the needs for human comfort, be it thermal, visual or aural comfort.

In recent times, the dependence on mechanical heating and cooling devices has
increased immensely, bringing about a huge change in the lifestyle of people. India being the
home to diverse climatic conditions and energy availability being scarce, it is necessary that
buildings designed use passive means rather than the mechanical devise for air conditioning.
The term passive refers to the design techniques, which enhance thermal comfort and minimize
on the unfavorable elements of the local climate.

Study:

The study of this thesis shall focus on the Microclimate of the site, taking into account
the following off-site and on-site features, such as;

Off site features On site features

Area and local climate Location of organized open spaces
Site surroundings in terms of building and land Form and height of existing buildings (if any)
use
Location of the site Tree cover wind breakers
Topographic features including vegetation, Abandoned structures, swamps, water bodies
water body, channels, rivers, etc. within the site.
Surrounding buildings and their impact on the Surrounding surfaces (paving grass etc) /
site. Ground profiling

Aim & Objective:

To do a detail study on micro climate, emphasizing its role and its relation to climate
responsive design.
Passive techniques, such as
o Passive down draft evaporative cooling system (PDEC)
o Wind towers / Wind catchers
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o Earth tunnel cooling

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 MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General) - THESIS 2017

o Roofing and wall insulation systems

o Thermal mass construction
to be studied for their effective integration into building design and achieve a comfortable
thermal environment.
The aim of this project is to architecturally create an innovative integrated township design
in a warm humid climate, by incorporating passive design techniques and strategies,
throughout its structure, circulation and design so as to achieve thermal comfortable
environment.

Research Questions:

Is there a relation between micro climate of a region and climate responsive architectural
design?
Can the implementation of climate responsive building design principles and elements
lead to a combined improvement of comfort and energy issues in the building design?
Can it serve as a practical tool or manual to aid in appropriate implementation and
application of climate responsive design concepts for architects / designers?
What are the Passive Design Strategies, which can be incorporated in building design of
residential and non-residential buildings to achieve a comfortable internal thermal
environment?
What passive design principles have been successfully used on buildings and how
effective are they?

Scope & Constraints:

The study of this thesis is to understand the climate responsive concepts with focus on
passive heating and cooling techniques to be incorporated in design with suitable case studies.
This thesis shall address climate responsive design using passive strategies focused only towards
dwelling structures in a warm humid climate of an industrial integrated township. The scope is
limited to residential and commercial buildings in a warm humid climate.
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 MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General) - THESIS 2017

Site:

Palathandalam Site

The site identified for the project, is flat land without any major undulations and is covered
with an even patch of greenery with very little clumps of shurbs and trees and the major portion
of the site is nearly barren. The site is around 1metre lower than the existing road level, so during
rains, this poses a problem on the site.

Selection of site:

Climatic conditions in the area differ from the climatic conditions within city limits.
The development of Outer Ring road along the periphery of Chennai Metropolitan Area
for relieving the congestion within city and also for catalyzing the even dispersal of urban
growth.
Spaces have been marked for residential, commercial and non-polluting industries to
come up along the ORRs extent and it closely follows the boundaries of the Greater
Chennai Metropolitan Area.
SIDCO nearby and other smaller industries are located nearby.

Case Studies:

Integrated Townships: Passive Design Strategies:

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1) Nanded City, Pune 1) Vikas Apatrments, Auroville

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2) Margarpettah, Pune 2) Torrent Research Centre, Ahmedabad

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 MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE - M.Arch (General) - THESIS 2017

Methodology:

Case Studies - Case Studies -

Literature Live

Scope and special study

Study on the microclimate of the region

Study on the passive strategies
- on site & off site features

Site Analysis - soil conditions, Passive evaporative

water table l etc. cooling system

Study of buildings and Wind towers & Earth Tunnel

surrounding areas around the site Cooling

Study on the topography and Thermal mass construction

vegetation of site

Framing of requirements

Design development

Analysis of the design

using relevant software
Revit / Ecotect/GBS

Bibliography:

1) Climate Responsive Architecture, A Design Handbook for Energy Efficiency Buildings

Arvind Krishnan, Nick Baker, SV Szokolay
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2) Bioclimatic Housing, Innovative Designs for Warm Climates Richard Hyde.

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3) Architecture in a Climate of Change, A Guide to Sustainable Design Peter F Smith.

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