Climatic zones for architectural design

General design guidelines

Design in the coastal zone
Design in the forest zone
Design in the transitional zone
Design in the highland zone
Design in he savannah zone
Design in the semi-desert zone

INTRODUCTION
Climatic zones for architectural design are defined by boundaries where a
change in the thermal comfort requirements should be reflected h changed
building elements. Six such zones have been defined for Nigeria: the Coastal
Zone, the Forest Zone, the T/ansit/onalZone, the Savannah Zone, the Highland
Zone and the Semi-desert Zone. There are some general design guidelines
common to all these zones. Howevel; site planning, design of openings,
recommended structure and maten as well as need for provision of outdoor
spaces require varying specifications.

l 1.1 CLIMATIC ZONES FOR

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
The form of dwellings, the insulation value of roofs and walls, the orientation, size
of windows and several other design variables are determined by the requirements
for thermal comfort. Requirements for thermal comfort are related directly to the
climate. There is therefore a strong link between the climate and building design,
but this link should not be seen as a direct one. The same condition of thermal
distress or comfort may be created by various combinations of climatic variables.
Climatic variables vary over distance and time in a continuous manner resulting in
variations in thermal comfort conditions that are also continuous. It is however
possible to determine the appropriate boundaries where a change in the climate and
a change in the thermal comfort requirements should be reflected- in changed
building elements. These boundaries will effectively define the climatic zones for
architectural design.

There are several definitions of climatic zones for architectural design in Nigeria.
Recent research by the author has identified six zones in Nigeria (Ref. 18). The
following architectural design zones are recogued for the purposes of our discussion.
See table 11.1.
THE COASTAL ZONE
This includes such cities as Ikeja, Lagos, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Port-Harcourt and
Calabar. The climate is characterised by high humidity and hot discomfort for eleven
or more months in the year. This makes provision of permanent ventilation
essential. The monthly rainfall exceeds 200mm for three or more months making
adequate drainage necessary. There is no need for thermal storage as a high diurnal
temperature range of more than 10 degrees coupled with low humidity is not
experienced for more than one month in the year.

The maximum monthly temperature never falls below the comfort limit, thus no
special precautions need be taken against cold discomfort.

FOREST ZONE
This covers Ibadan and Oshogbo. There is need for permanent provision for
ventilation for ten months of the year as a result of the combination of high humidity
and hot discomfort in the day. The monthly rainfall never exceeds 200m.m. Despite
the hot and humid nature of the climate thermal storage is still needed for two
months of the year as a result of the combination of low humidity and high diurnal
range of more than 10 degrees Celsius. There is no need to provide outdoor living
 Requirements for f hermul comfort (months)
-

Air Air Rairl Ther r n ~ l Oui-door Cold- 4ea5on

move men t movement- protection storage sleeping problems
eseent-ial desirable

Coasfa l
Zone
Forest
zone
Tra ~i t ion41
Zone

Highland
zone

5dva n na h
zone
semi-dewrf
zone

Table 11. 1
Requirements f o r t h e r m a l comfort in t h e design zones
space and protection against cold is not required.

TRANSITIONAL ZONE
This covers Ilorin, Lokoja, Enugu and Makurdi. There is need for cross ventilation
for three to nine months in the year. Buildings should be protected from heavy
rainfall as a result of downpours exceeding 200mm in some months. There is need
for thermal storage for three to five months. High humidity and low diurnal
temperature ranges make external sleeping spaces unworkable. Severe cold does not
constitute a problem.

SAVANNAH ZONE
This zone covers a large portion of the country and it includes towns like Yelwa,
Sokoto, Gusau, Kano, Potiskum, Maiduguri, Yola, Ibi and other slightly wetter towns
like Zaria, Kaduna, Minna, Bida and Abuja. There is need for cross ventilation for
three to nine months in the year due to hot day discomfort. There is need to protect
buildings against rain as a result of the intensity of downpours when they finally
arrive. Cold nights and hot days alternate for six to ten months of the year. This
is accentuated during the harmattan and thermal storage is needed for cooling
interiors in the day and for providing warmth at night. Outdoor sleeping space
should be provided since it is impossible to achieve night comfort during the very hot
period.

HIGHLAND ZONE
This is a cool climate to be found at high altitudes. This climate is associated with
Jos on the Jos Plateau but it can also be found on the Mambilla plateau and other
mountainous regions along the Cameroonian border. There is need for cross
ventilation only during one month of the year though good ventilation is desirable
during other months. Monthly rainfall exceeding 200 mm for three or more months
in the year dictates the need for protection against heavy downpours. T h e w
storage is needed for six to ten months in the year to dampen fluctuations in indoor
temperatures. Outdoor sleeping spaces are not required and special provision for
winter are unnecessary.
SEMI -DESERT ZONE
This covers Katsina and Nguru. Ventilation is essential for one or two months in the
year. It is characterised by low rainfall with monthly readings of more than 200 mm
occurring only during one or two months in the year. Hot and humid conditions are
experienced during one or two months and thermal storage is needed for more than
six months in the year. There should be provision of outdoor sleeping space.
Extreme winter conditions are however non4xistent.

GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

There are some design recommendations that are applicable all over the count@.
Mosquitoes and flies are a common problem and protective screens should always
be used. Curtains provide privacy and help regulate ventilation. Whenever good
ventilation is needed it is advisable to design some internal openings withrout
doors, subject however to user's consent. Security bars and screens are installed
for security reasons. Screens reduce the ventilation and daylighting and must be
compensated for in window design. The type of windows used depend on require-
ments for permanent ventilation. Louvres always permit infiltration anid help direct
the flow of air, while casement windows eliminate rain penetration and draughts.
Rain protection is needed in all parts of the country, even in the supposedly dry mew
in the Savannah and Semi-desert Zones. This is because it is not only the annual
rainfall but also the intensity of rainfall that matters. Flats roofs should never be
used since they will certainly leak unless adequate waterproofing is properly done.
The roof slope should not be less than 10 degrees, preferably mare in very wet zoges.
There is a common belief that high ceilings considerably improve comfort conditions.
Research has shown that the improvement is minimal and not commensurate with
the additional costs. A ceiling height of 2.5-3 m has been recommended.
 DESIGN IN THE COASTAL ZONE
Site Planning The layout of buildings should be north-south with the longer axis
facing east-west. There should be large spaces between buildings to allow breeze
penetration. Buildings should be single banked to enable cross ventilation. The
house form should reduce exposure to solar radiation. See table 11.2.

Openings should be large and situated preferably in north and south walls.
Permanent ventilation should be provided. Their position should encourage body
cooling. Sun-shading devices must exclude the sun throughout the year. Rain
penetration through windows is a problem that needs to be solved.

Structure and materials: Walls and floors should ideally be light and of low
thermal capacity. This requirement is difficult to satisfy for floors but walls can be
made of louvred shutters and lightweight materials of minimal thermal storage
capacities. Roofs should be light, with a reflective surface and cavity for ventilation.
The reflective surface of roofs reduces solar heat gain by the roof. The fmishing of
walls and roofs should be light to reflect solar heat. These finishes should protect
against driving rain.

Outdoor spaces: Overhangs and verandas should be used for sun- protection.
Balconies should.be provided in high rise buildings, so that occupants can enjoy the
evening breeze. Courtyards help in achieving cross ventilation in bigger buildings.

DESIGN IN THE FOREST ZONE

Site planning: The layout of buildings should expose as little of the building
surface to the western sun as possible. The spacing of buildings should allow breeze
penetration and single banking should be used. There is however need to use trees
and shrubs for protection against hot and cold winds. Trees should provide adequate
shading.
Openings: Medium size openings of approximately 25 to 40% of the wall area should
be situated in north and south walls. Permanent ventilation should be provided.
These openings should provide adequate body cooling and they must be shaded
throughout the year from the sun and driving rain.

Structure and materials: Walls and floors should be of lightweight materials of

low thermal capacity and short time lag. Roofs should be light, with a reflective
surface and cavity. Wall and roof finishes should be light in colour. Walls should be
protected against driving rain.

Outdoor spaces: Overhangs, verandas and balconies should be provided. Courtyard

design should be used to improve cross ventilation.

DESIGN IN THE TRANSITIONAL ZONE

Site planning: Buildings should be protected against solar gain by exposing minimal
surfaces to the sun. This is achieved by laying out buildings with their longer axes
facing east-west. The space between buildings should enable breeze penetration but
trees should be used to protect from hot and cold winds. Buildings should be single
banked.

Openings: Medium openings occupying 25 to 40% of the wall area should be used
and permanent provision made for ventilation. The positioning of openings should
help catch breezes which will be directed at the living level to provide body cooling.
Sunshading devices should be used and openings protected from driving rain.

Structure and materials: Walls and floors should be heavy with high thermal
capacity and a time lag of over 8 hours. Roofs should be light and well insulated to
prevent heat loss and heat gain. Surfaces should be reflective and water resistant.

Outdoor spaces: Courtyards and verandas help improve ventilation.

FZ = forest . z o n e

TZ = ixansifional zone

HZ = highland zone

5Z = 5 d v a n n ~ hzone

T4ble 11.2
Guideliner for d&gn in the zones
 DESIGN IN THE HIGHLAND ZONE
Site .p
-l Compact courtyard planning should be used to enclose private and
semiprivate outdoor spaces. Air movement is not a prerequisite for comfort so
compact planning will economize land usage and help consepe heat. For the same
reason double banking should be used with temporary provision for air movement.
It v- important to provide shade trees. The orientation of buildings should
minimize solar gain but orientation plays a minor role in this climate.

Openings: Composite openings occupying 20 to 35%of the wall area should be used.
Internal walls should possess adequate openings for air flow through the building for
ventilation purposes. Openings should be protected against sun and rain penetration.

Structure and materials: Walls and floors should be heavy with a time lag of over
8 hours. Roofs should also be heavy with a time lag of over 8 hours. Light and
reflective finishes are essential when light or medium weight materials are used.

Outdoor spaces: Courtyards are desirable but the total building surface should be
minimized. These courtyards should be shaded and verandas and patios are also
desirable.

DESIGN IN THE SAVANNAH ZONE

Site Planning: The surface of buildings should be protected from solar gains by
placing their long axis east-west. Open spacing should be used for ventilation but
there must be protection from hot and cold winds. Rooms should be single banked
and permanent provision made for air movement.

Openings: Should be composite and occupy 20 to 35% of the wall area. These
+openings should be able to catch the breeze and improve body cooling, with
 permanently open ventilation vents. These openings must be protected against sun
and rain penetration. See figure 11.1.

Structure and materials: Walls, floors and roofs should be heavy with high
thermal capacity and a time lag of over 8 hours.

Outdoor spaces: Shaded and partly enclosed outdoor living spaces should be
provided in the form of courtyards and verandas. These spaces can be used for
outdoor sleeping when conditions indoors become unbearable.

wirrgw~ll5can MOLK DV). sufi at

certain time5 of the C(4y 11.8 DESIGN IN THE SEMI-DESERT ZONE
Site Planning. Compact courtyard planning should be used with double banked
rooms and temporary provision for air movement. Trees should be used to provide
hang ref lect5
shade.
5vmmtr bun
Openings: Openings should be small or composite, occupying 15 to 35%of the wall
area. These openings should also be provided on internal walls and positioned in a
way that will improve body cooling. They should be protected from sun and rain
penetration.
but allow, havmtbin VII
Structure and materials: Walls, floors and roofs should be heavy with a time lag
of over 8 hours.

Outdoor spaces: Outdoor living space must be provided in the form of courtyards.
Section These must be shaded by trees and boundary walls and 'designed in a way that
enables outdoor sleeping. This means security and privacy must be provided.

Figure 1 1 . 1
window treat ~ e n t
11.1 With the aid of sketches, discuss the choice of building materials, construction
methods and the type of architectural planning in:
a. hot dry climates
b. warm humid climates
Explain the 'thermal system' of a small courtyard house in a hot arid tropical
climate.
11.2 Discuss how the climate af'fects architectural planning and design in.
a. Kano - hot and dry climate
b. Lagos - warm and humid climate.
11.3 Prepare a site analysis and site plan for 20 bungalows forming part of Ahmadu
Bello Univetsity Intermediate and Junior Staff Quarters (site attached) with
special consideration of:
a. orient ation
b. environmental use of planting
c. type of construction and building materials
d. ventilation requirements, size and position of openings
e. landscaping.

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