INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATIC

DESIGN

THE ATMOSPHERE
The Earth's atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the
Earth. It is composed of 99% nitrogen and oxygen, and 1% of
other gases. It is divided into layers as you can see in the picture.

THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE

2. Stratosphere.(1050km) The earth's ozone
layer is located in the
stratosphere. This layer
absorbs a lot of
ultraviolet rays which are
dangerous for human
beings. Because of that
temperature increases at
this layer
1. Troposphere.(0-10
km). The troposphere is
the lowest region in the
Earth's atmosphere. The
weather and clouds occur
in the troposphere. The
temperature decreases as
altitude increases.

located=situado / absorb=absorber / ray=rayo / increase=aumentar /

decrease=disminuir / layer=capa

5. Exosphere. (500-1,280km). It is the last

layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It separates
the Earth from the outer space

4. Thermosphere: (80500km). Temperatures rise

again and it can exceed
1,000C

3. Mesosphere. (50-80 km).

Temperatures quickly
decrease as height increases
(about 90C).

THE LAYERS OF THE

ATMOSPHERE II

 WEATHER is the day to day condition of the

atmosphere. This includes temperature, rainfall and
wind.
CLIMATE is the average weather conditions of a place,
usually measured over one year. This includes
temperature and rainfall

BASIC CONCEPT
"Weather" is the set of atmospheric conditions
prevailing at a given place and time.
"Climate" can be defined as the integration in time
of weather conditions, characteristics of a certain
geographical location.
At the global level climates are formed by the
differential solar heat input and the uniform heat
emission over the earth's surface.

Climatic Elements
1. Temperature - dry-bulb temperature.
2. Humidity - expressed as relative humidity or absolute humidity, or the webbulb temperature or dew-point temperature may be stated, from which the
humidity can be deduced.
3. Air movement - both wind speed and direction are indicated.
4. Precipitation - the total amount of rain, hail, snow, dew, measured in rain
gauges and expressed in mm per unit time (day, month, year).
5. Cloud cover - based on visual observation and expressed as a fraction of the
sky hemisphere (tenths, or 'octas' = eights) covered by clouds.
6. Sunshine duration - the period of clear sunshine (when a sharp shadow is
cast), measured by a sunshine recorder which burns a trace on a paper strip,
expressed as hours per day or month.
7. Solar radiation - measured by a pyranometer, on an unobstructed horizontal
surface and recorded either as the continuously varying irradiance (W/m2), or
through an electronic integrator as irradiance over the hour or day.

Common climatic elements for building

design

Factors Affecting Climatic Design

Topography - elevation, slopes, hills and valleys, ground
surface conditions.
Vegetation - height, mass, silhouette, texture, location, growth
patterns.
Built forms - nearby buildings, surface conditions.
Major thermal design factors to be studied include: solar heat
gain, conduction heat flow and ventilation heat flow. The design
variables in architectural expression that are important will
include:
Shape - surface-to-volume ratio; orientation; building height.
Building fabric - materials and construction; thermal insulation;
surface qualities; shading and sun control.
Fenestration - the size, position and orientation of windows;
window glass materials; external and internal shading devices.
Ventilation - air-tightness; outdoor fresh air; cross ventilation
and natural ventilation.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT CLIMATE?

There are 4 factors which affect

temperature:

1. Latitude
Temperatures decrease as you move away from the equator. This is
because the Suns rays are dispersed over a larger area of land than in the
equator. In addition, polar regions are colder because the Suns rays have
further to travel than on the equator. Sun rays go directly over the Equator
areas, temperatures are higher there.

2. Water Currents

3. Altitude

Another important factor is the

circulation of water and air. Warm air
and water are transported up
towards the poles, while cool air and
water are transported down towards
the equator.

Temperatures decrease
with height. The air is
less dense and cannot
hold heat as easily.
Temperatures rise 6C
every 1,000 m high.

4. Distance from the sea

Land heats and cools faster than the sea. Coastal areas have
a lower temperature than inland areas. On the coast winters
are mild and summers are cool. In inland areas temperatures
are high in the summer and cold in the winter.
What is the
Greenhouse Effect?
The greenhouse effect is the
rise in temperature that the
Earth experiences because
certain gases in the
atmosphere like water vapor,
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide,
and methane trap energy from
the sun.

WORLD CLIMATE ZONES

According to latitude, the temperature
of the air changes and we have
different climate zones on earth:
polar, temperate and tropical.
POLAR. Average
temperature 0 C all year.
Lat (60-90 N or S)
TEMPERATE. Cold
winters and mild summers
(0-20 C)
Lat (30-60 N or S)
TROPICAL.Hot:dry or wet
all year (on average over
20C)
Lat (0-30 N or S)

PRECIPITATION. It is the water which falls to the earth in different

forms: rain, snow, sleet or hail
Precipitation occurs
when water vapour
cools. When the air
reaches condensation
point: the water vapour
condenses and forms
tiny droplets of water.
These tiny droplets of
water form clouds.
Complex forces make
the water droplets fall
as rainfall.
fall=caer / water vapour=vapor de agua / cool=enfriarse /
reach=alcanzar / condense=condensarse / tiny
droplets=gotitas / forces=fuerzas

The following examples show three different ways

air is cooled causing rainfall

Warm wet air is forced to rise over high

land. As the air rises it cools and
condenses. Clouds form and precipitation
occurs

The sun heats the ground and warm air

rises. As the air rises it cools and water
vapour condenses to form clouds

An area of warm air meets an area of cold air. The

warm air is forced over the cold air. The warm air is
cooled and water vapour condenses. Clouds form
and precipitation occurs.

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air on the earth's surface.
You can see pressure on a weather map with lines called isobars.
Low pressure occurs when air
becomes warmer. The air becomes
lighter and it rises forming clouds and
rain. Areas of low pressure are called
depressions
High pressure occurs when air
becomes colder. The air becomes
heavier and it sinks. Areas of high
pressures are called anticyclones, as
a result, we have cold clear days in
winter and hot and sunny days in
summer

A barometer measures
air pressure

Wind is the movement of air masses from high pressure areas

(highs) to low pressure areas (lows).
A weather vane indicates the wind
direction and an anemometer
measures its speed in km/h.

Anticyclones send out winds and

they are attracted by depressions

weather vane

anemometer

masses=masas / speed=velocidad / send

out=enviar / attracted by=atrados por

ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA
Moisture or water in the atmosphere causes clouds,
fog, rain, snow, hail and sleet.
Storms are temporary. A storm can bring winds,
precipitation, and electricity through thunders and
lightning.
Movements of air masses bring winds and breezes.
Optical illusions, such as, rainbows.
Smoke and dust particles cause haze or mist

WEATHER HAZARDS AND CATASTROPHIES

Caused by heavy winds:
hurricane

tornado

Caused by high temperatures

Caused by heavy rains or by the absence of rain

floods

drought

Forest fire

There are 3 main areas of climate, and 11 areas within the three
regions. The three main climates areas are tropical, temperate
and polar.
TROPICAL OR WARM CLIMATES
Tropical rainforest (Ecuatorial). High temperatures all year, on
average 25C. Abundant rainfalls all year, on average, 1,500 mm.
Examples: Singapore, Blem (Brazil)

Tropical monsoon climate (Tropical lluvioso). Most common in

southern Asia and West Africa, results from the monsoon winds.
Average temperature over 20C all year, abundant precipitation: a bit
less than 1,500 mm a year.
Tropical dry climate (Tropical seco). Temperatures are mild in
winter and warm in summer, on average 18C. Scarce precipitation,
on average, 250 mm a year. Examples: Veracruz (Mexico), Darwin
(Australia)

 Arid and semiarid climate

(Desert). Annual
precipitation: less than 250
mm (scarce rainfalls). Annual
average temperature over 20
C, big difference between day
and night temperatures.
Example: Cairo.
Tropical areas world map

rainforest
Arid and semiarid areas world map

desert

TEMPERATE CLIMATES

Mediterranean climate.
Temperatures are mild in winter
and hot in summer: annual average
temperature between 10C and
20C. Average yearly precipitation
between 300 mm and 1,000 mm,
with a dry season in summer.
Humid subtropical climate
(Chino). Annual average
precipitations are over 1,000 mm
but it rains mostly in summer.
Temperatures are very similar to
the Mediterranean areas.
Examples: Guadalajara (Mexico)
or Luodian in southeastern China.

TEMPERATE CLIMATES

Oceanic climate
world map

Oceanic climate. Usually on

western latitudes 45- 55.
Summers are cool but winters are
mild. Annual average temperature
between 10C and 18C.
Precipitation is over 1,000 mm
and it is all year round. Examples:
Limoges (France) or Seattle
(USA).
Continental climate.
Temperatures are very cold in
winter and hot in summer.
Average temperature is between
0C to 10C. Rainfalls are usually
in summer and they are between
300 mm and 1,000 mm a year.
Examples: Chicago (USA),
Stockholm (Sweden)

POLAR CLIMATES

Tundra climate (Polar).

Temperatures are very low,
even in summer. Annual
average temperature is under
0C. Precipitation is scarce
and in the form of snow(less
than 250 mm a year).
Example: Alaska

Highland climate (De alta

montaa). Temperatures
decrease with altitude. Winters
are very cold and summers are
cool. Precipitation increases
with altitude and depends on
the latitude of the mountains.
Example: The Alps (Austria)

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: PHYSICAL FACTORS

Climate influences natural environment and affects the development of

living beings.
Winds, river waters and floods cause a lot of erosion.

The characteristics of the soil depend on the composition of the rocks,

on the climate and on the living beings.
Rich soils produce vegetation which is scarce in poor soils.

The type of climate, the presence of water, the relief and the types of
vegetation determine the fauna, or animal life, of an environment.

Use of Climatic Data

Climate analysis carried out at initial design stage may
be used for:
1. develop design strategies
2. check condensation problems in some cases
3. optimization of insulation
4. Load and energy calculation carried out at outline
and detail design stages will require weather data
for:
5. calculation of cooling and heating requirements
6. design of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning
(HVAC) systems
7. energy estimation of buildings

Sunshade Analysis

1.
2.
3.
4.

Solar paths requiring shade

Sunshade analysis (vertical and horizontal)
Insolation
Sun requirements during winter

Wind Analysis

Humidity, Rainfall and Seasonal Variations

Influences on Built Form

1.
2.
3.
4.

Zoning for transitional spaces

Zoning for solar gain
Use of atrium
Potential of roof/ground floor as useable exterior space

1.

2.

Form
tropical zone - 1:3
arid zone - 1:2
temperate zone - 1: 1.6
cool zone - 1:1
Orientation
Zone Building's main orientations
Tropical
On an axis 5o north of east
Arid
On an axis 25o north of east
Temperate
On an axis 18o north of east
Cool
On an axis facing south

3.

Vertical cores and structure

Directional emphasis
north-south
south-east
south-south-east
facing south

URBAN CLIMATE

Factors of Urban microclimates

1.
2.
3.
4.

Solar radiation
Temperature
wind condition
layout density can provide further constraints:
the precise plot division, the need for access
and privacy, and the noise and impact of
atmospheric pollution must all be taken into
account.

PASSIVE DESIGN IN HOT CLIMATES

One should attempt to perform the control task by passive controls (i.e.
by the building itself), and resort to active controls (i.e. by energybased heating or cooling systems) only when the passive controls
cannot ensure comfort.
This approach is suggested for three main reasons:
1. Economic - the installation of mechanical equipment means a capital cost and also
the recurrent cost of energy consumed and system maintenance.

2. Ecological/environmental - passive buildings impose the least load on the

ecosystem, consume less energy and produce less amount of waste.

3. Aesthetic - passive buildings are more likely to be in sympathy with their

environment, and more likely to increase diversity and interest.

General Climate Control Strategies

Passive vs Active Controls

passive means would reduce the active control requirements

In a cold climate
passive solar heating
good insulation
careful control of air infiltration

In a hot-dry climate

the massive building

evaporative cooling
and good shading

the warm-humid climate

be as open as possible to ensure the maximum possible cross-ventilation
If the building is to be air-conditioned, a completely different design approach must be
adopted.
the building would be closed, sealed and well insulated. In such a climate therefore an early decision
must be made whether passive or active controls would be used, whether cross-ventilation would be
relied on, or air-conditioning.

Design Strategy in Warm-humid Climates

ensure that the indoor temperature does not

become higher than the outdoor.
Undue increase of ceiling temperature may be
prevented by:
using a reflective roof surface
having a separate ceiling
ensuring adequate ventilation of the attic space
using reflective surfaces both for the underside of
the roof and for the top of the ceiling
using some resistive insulation for or on the ceiling

Design Strategy in Warm-humid Climates

The whole building should be lightweight to allow rapid cooling down
at night.

East and west walls should have minimum or no windows in order to

exclude the low angle east and west sun.
North and south walls should be as open as possible, to allow for cross
ventilation.
The spacing of buildings should be carefully considered to avoid
obstruction of the wind.
The openings require protection from the sun and driving rain but also
from mosquitoes and other insects which abound in these climates.

Design Strategy in Warm-humid Climates

At times orientation for wind and for sun give conflicting
requirements, solar orientation should take precedence, as there are
ways of deflecting wind, but no ways of altering the suns movement.
With oblique wind incidence a projecting wing wall at the downwind
end of the building would create a positive pressure zone.

On the leeward side a similar wing wall at the upwind end would help
to create a negative pressure zone.
The combined effect of these may ensure a better cross ventilation than
that given by wind with normal incidence.

END