Catergorization of concepts

All proposed concepts have be categorized into three.

1. Concepts for bringing up the specification from a low level to the normal level. Concepts
include providing a 9-inch thick brick wall instead of 4.5-inch wall for an external wall.
2. Concets for improving thermal performance of the buildings.
3. Concepts to enhance the lifestyle of the inhabitants.

Energy-saaving features:

An attempt has been made to lower the amount of conventional energy being used in running the
building. Since, cooling is not really a requirement, most of the suggestions are for heating or
daylighting.

Fundamentally, the concepts kept in mind were

 Orientation
 Compact planning
 Solar gain and heat storage
 Insulation, mass & colour
 Heat distribution
 Air movement
 Use of energy-efficient
 Renewable energy devices.

Passive solar details

For cold & cloudy climate, the design has to cater to the difficult winter months. Keeping this in mind
a passive heating strategy has been derived. Use of certain energy-efficient and renewable energy
devices has also been suggested because they increase the overall efficiency of the building and add
to its character as an energy- conscious building.

Revised layout – The building are oriented due to south for direct solar gain. They are spaced apart
so as to eliminate shadows of one building falling over the other, even for the longer winter
shadows. It was proposed that all bedrooms be south-facing to avail of the benefit of south
exposure.

SEPARATE AIR-LOCK AFTER STAIRCASE LANDING – Separate air-lock would have prevented heat loss,
and decreased the rate of infiltration. This suggestion could not be followed for lack of space at the
entrance.

Thickness of external wall – The existing external wall was changed to at least 9-inch brick wall or 12-
inch stone wall as the existing 4.5-inch brick wall (Block 1) was inadequate for weather proofing.
Overlapping curtains – Well-sealed heavy curtains were used to act as thermal mass and to prevent
heat loss.

Carpeted floors – Carpeted floor provide insulation and improve the general level of comfort. They
should preferably be of dark colours when adjacent to south windows.

Small overhangs – Small overhangs helped to increase the amount of sun-shine entering the
building, while ensuring that no summer overheating took place. The primary purpose of the
shades was rain protection. A 23 cm overhang can adequate protect a 1.2 m high south-
facing window in peak summer while providing adequate rain protection.

Roof insulation – Roof insulation helped to preserve temperature inside the building and prevented
heat loss from the top floor. Rockwool insulation was provided above false ceiling.

Wall insulation – Wall insulation could be either insulation or a cavity wall and would help as in roof
insulation. The rockwool blanket/thermocole sheet was used in walls behind panelling.
Insulation was suggested on all walls expect south because it was found out that the north,
east, and west walls are net losers of heat.

Sunspace – The existing balcony can be made into a sunspace resulting in increased heating
especially during winter months. This suggestion could not be incorporated in blocks 1 and 2
because of prior structural limitations, but has been introduced in blocks 3 and 4.

Reduction of north glazing – Since solar heat gain through north facing window is negligible, glazing
on the north increases heat loss to the ambient. This is rectified by reducing the amount of
glazing in the north and providing double glazing in the essential windows.

Double glazing – There is a inherent problem of condensation in badly executed doublr glazing,
which can be seen in some earlier buildings in Shimla. This is overcome by providing two
separate sets of shutters with glazing that allow cleaning. Alternatively, hermetically-sealed
double glazing with a desiccant strip or vaccum-sealed windows can be used but they are
expensive.

Plastic/timber frames – Since plastic and timber have a lower conductivity than steel it is aadvisable
to use them for joinery to reduce conductive heat loss to the outside. Steel would aid heat
transfer and would work against attempts to retain heat inside the building.

Glazed atrium over staircase – Since the staircase is on the north side this would have helped to
improve the general level of lighting in the staircase well. This could not be incorporated
because of lack of space on the ground adjacent to the staircase (block 1 and 2)

Remote heating of north bedroom – This idea was proposed to tap heat on the south wall and
transport it to the north bedroom. Small Tromble walls below and on the sides of the
kitchen window trap the heat, which is conveyed through a duct to the north bedroom. A
small fan can be used to assist air movement.

Better weather proofing – These measures at the openings helped to reduce infiltration. Rubber
stripping at the junctions of shutters and frames and below doors helped in sealing of all
 crackes. Keeping windows closed, and immediately replacing broken panes especially during
winter months would help to considerably reduce infilteration.

Food warmer in kitchen – This is a feature to use solar heat to keep food in the kitchen warm. Food
warmer has been provided outside the window of kitchen towards southern side.

Renewable energy system

Solar water heaters – These can be mounted on the roof and used tap the sun to heat water. The
solar water heaters are now in the process of installation.

Low wattage electrical radiating panels – These can be used to augment the available heat during
peak winter. Also they would form an integral part of the heating strategy in the apartments
that do not receive any sunlight (Block4) where some nutual shading takes place. This is not
a building – related suggestion and can be done by the inhabitants themselves.