ARCH324 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS 1
Assignment 02: Architectural Climate Adaptation
Assignment #2.Part 1 - Climate / Resource Site Analysis Exercise
Climate Analysis Exercise
Understanding the climate of a given location is the first step to provide a relevant and adequate design solution.
Understanding the available resources, opportunities and constraints is crucial to develop a responsible design.
Using one of the free climate analysis software from the US Department of Energy (DoE) – Building Energy Software Tools Directory
perform a thorough climate analysis for your groups project location below and compare it to the climate in New York.
Groups:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Mumbai, India
Anchorage, AK
Cairo, Egypt,
Rome, Italy
Hilo, HI
Quebec City, QC, Canada
Managua, Nicaragua `
Las Vegas, NV
Bilbao, Spain
Kathmandu, Nepal
Salvador, Brazil
(Hot-Humid)
(Cold)
(Hot-Arid)
(Temperate)
(Hot-Humid)
(Cold)
(Hot Humid)
(Hot-Arid)
(Temperate)
(Temperate)
(Hot-Humid)
In graphical form present, at a minimum, the following data:
- World Map and Country Map indication location of site.
-
Global Solar Radiation (Average per month in W/m2)
Wind Resources (prevailing direction for each season in hours/ year, average wind speeds in m/s, analyze with
Beaufort Wind Scale)
Monthly and Annual Total Rainfall (compare with NYC)
Temperature (Maximum, minimum and averages by month)
Relative Humidity (Monthly averages)
Passive Strategy Analysis (Assess benefits of thermal mass/ passive solar heating/ super insulation, solar
shading, natural ventilation, evaporative cooling, etc) ( diagrams of the 8 most important design strategies, as per
Climate Consultant recommendation)
Format this information on 11x17 multipage pdf. 4 diagrams per page, and upload to dropbox by next Monday
11pm. Max. Filesize 10MB.
Step 1 – download software (Climate Consultant is a good one)
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/subjects.cfm/pagename=subjects/pagename_menu=other_applications/pagena
me_submenu=solar_climate_analysis
Step 2 – download climate data (from Energy Plus download the epw file for your location, NASA and wunderground for additional
data if needed)
NASA http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/sse/sse.cgi?+s01#s01
(click on either ‘Click on a desired map location’ or ‘Enter latitude and longitude’ – need to create an account)
Wunderground http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/DisplayIntlNORMS.asp
Energy Plus http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/cfm/weather_data.cfm
Step 3 – open the weather file in the climate analysis software you downloaded
Part 2
A generic design for a small building is given to all groups. Each group is assigned one of the climates above. After
the climate analysis, you will research the basic environmental attributes of the site and climate zone and learning
about climate responsive design. Then each team will propose envelope modifications to the generic design in order
to reduce its heating and/or cooling loads (passive design). Possible modifications are of course dependent on the
climate zone and include but are not limited to building orientation, form, wall construction, fixed and movable
shading devices, windows/skylights, vegetation.
In addition to these general principles each team is required to adopt and appropriately size at least one specific
passive design strategy from the options listed below (please note that strategies can and should be combined, but
sizing and calculation will only be required for one strategy)
Cold: a) Direct Gain b) Indirect Gain c) Isolated Gain Solar Heating Systems
Temperate: a) Direct Gain b) Indirect Gain c) Isolated Gain Solar Heating Systems or d) Cross Ventilation Passive
Cooling System
Hot Arid: a) Evaporative Cool Tower, b) Stack Ventilation Passive Cooling Systems
Hot Humid: a) Cross Ventilation, b) Stack Ventilation Passive Cooling Systems
Deliverables
Site and Climate Data as per previous presentation
Drawings:
(drawings to be dimensioned)
Site Plan and Section
Floorplan, 2 Sections, 4 Elevations, 2 Exterior axonometric or perspective drawings
scale ¼”=1’-0”
Typical Wall Section, Roof Section and Floor Section
scale 3”=1’-0”
Diagrams:
(explaining each climate adaptation strategy)
all climate data, drawings and diagrams to be formatted on 11x17 landscape format, all pages to include title block
(group number, names of group members, north arrow, graphic scale)
Timeline and Deadline
see Class Syllabus