Module 1: Introduction to Building
Science & Environmental Control
EACF/EACE 1257 – Building Science
Introduction
• The built environment is more than just walls, floors, and roofs.
• It is an extension of our need for shelter, health, productivity, and comfort.
• As builders and designers, we are not just constructing buildings; we are
constructing environments.
• Building Science provides us with the framework to understand and
manage the physical forces: such as heat, air, light, moisture, and sound
that influence the way we live, work, and thrive in buildings.
• In East Africa, where climate zones range from humid coastlines to
highland plateaus and arid deserts, the science of building must respond
to environmental extremes and socio-economic realities. This module
introduces the concept of Building Science and its critical role in
environmental control, human comfort, and sustainable construction.
What is Building Science?
• Building Science is the study of how buildings behave under physical
forces especially in relation to environmental control and human comfort.
It integrates knowledge from physics, engineering, biology, and
architecture to ensure that buildings perform well in varying climates and
conditions.
• Key Domains of Building Science:
– Thermal Performance – Managing heat flow and insulation
– Acoustics – Controlling sound behaviour
– Lighting – Designing for daylight and artificial illumination
– Ventilation & Airflow – Maintaining air quality
– Moisture & Condensation – Avoiding dampness and decay
• In essence, building science transforms architectural theory into practical
strategies that enhance comfort and durability in buildings.
What is Environmental Control?
Environmental control refers to the strategic design interventions used to regulate the indoor
environment to meet the comfort needs of occupants. It includes both passive and active
strategies:
• Passive Environmental Control: These rely on natural forces without consuming external
energy:
– Building orientation to maximize shade or sun
– Natural ventilation using wind flow
– Use of thermal mass to absorb and release heat
– Shading devices like overhangs and vegetation
• Active Environmental Control: These require energy input (electricity, gas, etc.):
– Mechanical ventilation
– Air conditioning systems
– Artificial lighting systems
– Humidity control devices
• A well-designed building in East Africa should primarily use passive strategies, especially in
resource-limited settings.
The Concept of Human Comfort
• Comfort is subjective, but certain physiological and psychological factors
consistently influence it. The most important elements include:
– Air Temperature: Generally, between 20–26°C for comfort
– Relative Humidity: Ideally between 40–60%
– Air Movement: A breeze can aid cooling; still air can feel stifling
– Radiant Temperature: Temperature of surrounding surfaces
– Metabolic Rate & Clothing: Activity level and attire affect comfort
• These variables form the Thermal Comfort Equation, used in global
standards such as:
– ASHRAE 55: American standard for environmental conditions
– ISO 7730: International comfort standard
• Adaptive Comfort Model: Reflects how people in naturally ventilated
buildings adapt to climate
Why Building Science Matters
• Building science is not just academic—it’s essential to how we live. In today’s
context, modern construction must go beyond basic shelter. It must respond to:
– Environmental Stress: Climate change is intensifying heatwaves, floods, and
temperature extremes. Buildings that don't consider solar orientation,
ventilation, and material behaviour contribute to heat stress and discomfort,
especially in hot, urban settings.
– Public Health: Poor indoor air quality, dampness, and lack of sunlight can lead
to mold growth and respiratory illnesses. Thoughtless design traps pollutants,
while smart design protects occupant health.
– Energy Inefficiency: Many buildings in East Africa rely on fans, heaters, or AC
to stay comfortable—because they were never designed to regulate
temperature naturally. This drains national energy resources and burdens
households with high bills.
– Resource Scarcity: Construction uses water, energy, and raw materials.
Without efficient design, we overuse these resources. Building science helps
us design buildings that use less, last longer, and work with the
environment—not against it.
Stress, Health & the Built
Environment
• Buildings that fail to regulate the indoor environment contribute to
physical and psychological stress. For example:
– Overheating can cause fatigue, dehydration, and heat stroke.
– Poor ventilation leads to indoor air pollution, asthma, and reduced
focus.
– Noise intrusion can cause irritability, sleep disturbance, and hearing
damage.
– Inadequate lighting may lead to eye strain and low productivity.
• Real-world Example: In Nairobi’s informal settlements, corrugated iron
sheets trap heat and lack ventilation. Temperatures can reach over 35°C
indoors, contributing to illness and reduced quality of life. These are not
just architectural flaws—they are public health hazards.
Local and Environmental Adaptation
• Long before modern building codes and air conditioners, East African communities
were already designing in harmony with their environment. Indigenous
architecture holds invaluable wisdom for passive environmental control:
– Thick Earthen or Stone Walls: Traditional huts and Swahili homes often
feature thick walls made from mud, adobe, coral, or stone. These act as
natural thermal buffers, keeping interiors cool during the day and warm at
night.
– Small Entrances & Openings: Small doorways and windows minimize direct
solar gain, especially on sun-exposed façades, reducing interior overheating.
– Central Courtyards: Many Swahili, Nubian, and coastal homesteads include
courtyards that allow cross-ventilation, daylighting, and cool air pooling—an
ancient form of passive cooling still effective today.
– Local Materials & Orientation: Indigenous builders understood the climate—
orienting homes based on sun and wind patterns, using breathable materials
like thatch or wattle-and-daub to regulate heat and moisture.
• Key Takeaway:
Modern building science should not ignore the ancestral intelligence embedded in
traditional design. These time-tested practices offer low-tech, sustainable
solutions especially relevant in today’s push for climate resilience.
Case Study: Kibera Informal
Settlement (Nairobi)
• Challenge: High-density, poorly ventilated housing
• Observations:
– Overcrowding reduces natural airflow
– Use of low-cost corrugated metal intensifies heat gain
– Poor access to light and ventilation
• Environmental Consequences:
– Daytime indoor temps > 35°C
– High humidity and sweat condensation
– Increased risk of TB and respiratory illness
• Design Opportunities:
– Raise roof height to improve convective airflow
– Use perforated brickwork or timber slats for cross-ventilation
– Introduce shared courtyards for light and circulation
• This case illustrates how building science can directly improve livelihoods
and health outcome
Bridging Science and Design
• Performance and beauty are not opposites—they are partners in
innovation.
• Building science is not an obstacle to creativity, it is a catalyst. A good
designer understands that beauty and performance can co-exist. For
instance:
– Respond to climate with intention, not guesswork. Example: Using
thermal mass in arid zones for comfort.
– Reflect cultural identity through smart material choices. Example:
Earth-based plasters or woven shading inspired by heritage
techniques.
– Shape form with function.
– Example: Façades that filter light and tell a story.