Renewable Energy and Green Building Impact

The design of buildings, materials, and systems that mimic the efficient principles and strategies found in nature.

A design process that follows a cyclical nature, starting with form and progressing through material, construction, and function, all inspired by natural models.

A range of temperature and humidity conditions that feel comfortable for most people.

A visual tool that helps architects determine the optimal thermal comfort conditions for a building based on its location's climate.

Using natural materials like wood, stone, or bamboo, which are abundant in nature.

Utilizing the sun's energy to passively heat or cool buildings without requiring mechanical equipment.

A strategy that focuses on maximizing the use of natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting and promote energy efficiency.

The degree of heat or cold in the air, impacting how much heat our bodies lose or gain.

The amount of moisture in the air, affecting how easily sweat evaporates and cools us down.

The rate at which air moves, influencing how quickly heat is transferred away from the body.

The amount of heat radiated from surrounding surfaces, contributing to our overall thermal comfort.

A range of air temperatures and humidity levels where most people feel comfortable.

The use of building materials that absorb and release heat slowly, helping to moderate temperature fluctuations.

Structures or features that block direct sunlight, reducing heat gain and keeping spaces cooler.

The natural movement of air within a building, used to cool spaces without mechanical systems.

A design approach that considers climate conditions and uses passive strategies to create comfortable and energy-efficient buildings.

A building design that maximizes solar energy gain during winter and minimizes it during summer.

A building design approach that uses natural sunlight and heat for heating and cooling.

Using sunlight directly through windows to warm interior spaces during colder months.

The amount of glazing (windows) relative to the solid walls of a building.

Reducing solar heat gain in hot climates by using natural ventilation and shading.

Using sunlight to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels.

Tools like Climate Consultant and Ladybug help visualize and calculate the impact of solar radiation on a building throughout different seasons and times of day.

Overhangs, green facades, and roof gardens that provide shade to reduce solar heat gain in the summer.

Buildings can block sunlight for others, reducing solar exposure and natural heating.

The amount of sunlight that reaches a building's interior, influenced by factors like building height and spacing.

The design, form, and layout of cities and buildings play a crucial role in how sunlight affects them.

These angles are important in hot areas to control the amount of sunlight entering a building during the hottest part of the day.

The amount of energy emitted by the sun and reaching Earth's surface.

A tool used to measure the angles at which sunlight enters a building.

Proper orientation of buildings with respect to the sun, ensuring optimal sunlight exposure and shading.

The building's mass helps regulate internal temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night.

Properly designed blocks can ensure each building receives sufficient sunlight while minimizing overshadowing.

A design strategy that optimizes natural lighting and minimizes energy costs.

Methods used to control the amount of sunlight entering a building, such as overhangs, louvers, or trees.

A microclimate is the localized climate of a specific area, differing from the larger regional climate. It's impacted by topography, vegetation, and even nearby buildings.

Airflow is the movement of air through a space, crucial for ventilation and cooling. It can be natural (windows, vents) or created by fans.

The Venturi Effect describes how air speeds up as it passes through a narrow space, creating a pressure difference. Architects use it to pull air through buildings for ventilation.

The Urban Boundary Layer (UBL) is the area of airflow above city buildings, often with more consistent wind flow. It contrasts with the more turbulent Urban Canopy Layer (UCL) below building level.

A shading mask is a tool used to analyze how sunlight will hit a building at different times of the year. It helps architects design effective shading devices to block unwanted heat.