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Solar Geometry & Building Orientation

Unit 2 of AAR 201 focuses on solar geometry and the design of solar shading devices in architecture. It emphasizes the importance of building orientation, room layout, and massing to optimize solar heat gain and passive cooling, especially in tropical climates. The document also discusses the significance of solar angles and the surface area-to-volume ratio in relation to climate-responsive design.

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37 views5 pages

Solar Geometry & Building Orientation

Unit 2 of AAR 201 focuses on solar geometry and the design of solar shading devices in architecture. It emphasizes the importance of building orientation, room layout, and massing to optimize solar heat gain and passive cooling, especially in tropical climates. The document also discusses the significance of solar angles and the surface area-to-volume ratio in relation to climate-responsive design.

Uploaded by

darshankukreja343
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

AAR 201: CLIMATOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE

UNIT 2: SOLAR GEOMETRY & DESIGN OF SOLAR SHADING DEVICES

CONTENT:
• Apparent movement of the sun, and sun path diagram,
• Solar angles, Shadow angles, Solar shading masks,
• Significance of building orientation,
• Effect of Landscaping on microclimate modification

ORIENTATION OF BUILDINGS
Although solar heat gain is the main consideration in the selection of optimum orientation of buildings,
other factors like:
- The direction of wind,
- Rainfall and site conditions cannot be overlooked in the final choice of the orientation.
Where best orientation is not possible for a building, the next choice for good orientation is to obtain a
compromise amongst solar and climatic data available for the place, site conditions and building
byelaws. The selection of optimum orientation should be based on the summer conditions or, in other
words, the orientation chosen should lead to minimum summer heat into the building.
1. Building Shape - For the practical evaluation of correct orientation for any specific building, it is
necessary to know its shape, the location of various shading devices, and the shaded and
unshaded areas during the day. From this, it is possible to locate the living rooms where other
portions of the building provide shade during summer afternoon. Exposed surf can be shaded
by overhangs or verandah.
2. Room Location -Judicious layout of rooms inside a building is also as important as the choice of
proper orientation. Discomfort due to ingress of excessive solar heat inside rooms can be offset
by favorable breeze during the period of occupancy. Location of window inside the room
should ensure desirable wind speed and requisite ventilation.
3. Evaluation of Best Orientation - The best orientation from solar heat gain point of view requires
that the building as a whole should receive maximum solar radiation in winter. And minimum in
summer. Normally roofs are horizontal and hence these will receive the same solar heat
Irrespective of the building orientation. The total amount of solar radiation incident on different
vertical surfaces may be calculated for all possible orientations of the building, both for proper
orientation on the basis of above criterion.

1
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN:
- While deciding on best orientation, in a tropical
country like India, Safeguard the building against Heat.
- Hot summers with more extreme heat waves are more
frequent.
- Passive cooling will be our focus.
Figure 1: Orientation as per Climate
- Attention to shading of windows & walls (*West).

2
- Exposure to cool breezes & forms of natural cooling are needed
- Shorter side facing East & West to reduce solar exposure.

FORM & MASSING:

- Along with Orientation, massing should be the most important in providing with passive
thermal & visual comfort.
- Orientation & massing should be simultaneously, as neither can be truly optimized without the
other.

Figure 2: Orient longer facades along North for glare free light without shading & winter sun penetration from South

3
PREVAILING WIND ORIENTATION:

Case 1: If a site has multiple buildings, they should be arranged in


ASCENDING order of their height and be built on stilts to allow
ventilation.

In Section
Case 2: Place buildings at 30 degree or 45 degrees angle to the
direction of wind for enhanced ventilation.

In Plan

Case 3: Form can be staggered in the wind facing direction also


to achieve enhanced ventilation.

In Plan

Case 4: Taller forms in the wind direction of prevailing wind can


alter the wind movement pattern for low lying buildings behind
them.
In Section

SURFACE AREA-TO-VOLUME(S/V) RATIO

- In extremely hot & extremely cold


climates, the importance of less day-
time heat gain & less night-time heat
loss respectively in more optimum.
Figure 3: Low S/V Ratio recommended in extreme climate
- More compact the shape, the less heat
is gained/lost.

SOLAR GEOMETRY:

Sun’s position can be determined by two angles:

1. Altitude Angle: Measured upwards from the


horizon.

2. Azimuth Angle: Measured in the horizontal


plane from North.

4
Altitude Angle:

The altitude angle is the vertical angle between the ground (horizon) and the sun (or any other
object in the sky). It shows how high the sun is above the horizon at a specific time.

Azimuth Angle:

The azimuth angle is the horizontal angle measured clockwise from a reference direction (usually true
north) to the direction of the sun (or any other object) along the horizon. It tells you which direction
the sun appears in the sky (for example, east, south, west).

These angles are important in architecture for designing buildings that respond to sunlight and to
design the horizontal and vertical shading device.

Common questions

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When ideal building orientation is not feasible, strategies such as using shading devices, adjusting building shape, and landscape integration can compensate. Shading devices like overhangs and verandahs can limit solar gain on non-ideal facades. The building shape can be designed to provide self-shading or utilize adjacent structures for shade. Landscaping can serve as an additional barrier against unwanted solar radiation and influence microclimates around the building. These strategies combined can create a balance that approximates the benefits of optimal orientation .

Landscaping can modify the microclimate by providing shade, influencing wind patterns, and affecting humidity and temperature levels. Trees and vegetation can block or filter intense solar radiation, thereby reducing temperatures around the building. They can also direct or block wind, enhancing or reducing ventilation based on seasonal needs. Additionally, vegetation releases moisture into the air, increasing humidity and contributing to evaporative cooling, which can further help in moderating temperature extremes .

The azimuth angle is essential in designing shading devices as it determines the direction of sunlight throughout the day. By understanding the azimuth angle, architects can design devices that block direct sunlight from entering the building when it is most intense, especially from east and west directions. This helps in minimizing glare and overheating while allowing sufficient daylight during other times of the day .

The selection of building shape affects how sunlight and wind interact with the structure, impacting temperature regulation and daylighting within rooms. By strategically placing rooms that require cooling or heating and aligning windows for optimal wind capture, architectural design can greatly improve indoor climate comfort and reduce energy use for artificial climate control. Proper room location uses natural sources for temperature control, reducing reliance on HVAC systems. Adjusting the layout for advantageous wind and light exposure enhances ventilation, thus optimizing energy use efficiency .

Considering the prevailing wind direction in the layout of multiple buildings is crucial for optimizing natural ventilation and overall indoor climate. Arranging buildings at angles (such as 30 or 45 degrees) to the prevailing wind can enhance airflow and reduce heat accumulation. This layout facilitates wind movement between buildings, which cools them naturally and reduces the need for mechanical ventilation .

A low surface area-to-volume (S/V) ratio is beneficial in extreme climates as it minimizes the exposure to harsh environmental conditions. In hot climates, it reduces heat gain by limiting the surface area exposed to direct sunlight. Conversely, in cold climates, it minimizes heat loss, keeping the interior warmer. Thus, buildings with a low S/V ratio require less energy for heating and cooling, leading to greater energy efficiency and sustainable comfort levels .

For passive cooling in hot summer climates, considerations should include orientation to minimize solar exposure, building massing to utilize natural ventilation, and the integration of shading devices to reduce heat gain. Additionally, choosing materials with high thermal mass can help stabilize indoor temperatures. Landscaping, such as strategic planting of trees and vegetation, can provide shade and increase humidity for cooling effects. These factors combined create a building design that reduces the need for mechanical cooling, leveraging natural elements for thermal comfort .

Building massing contributes to passive thermal comfort by influencing how buildings interact with solar radiation and prevailing winds. Compact shapes reduce surface area exposed to extreme temperatures, thus minimizing heat gain and loss. The arrangement and form of massing can also facilitate wind flow, enhancing natural ventilation and cooling. Effective massing, when combined with orientation, can drastically lessen the reliance on artificial climate control, providing thermal comfort .

In tropical climates, the orientation of a building significantly influences its energy efficiency by reducing solar heat gain and optimizing natural ventilation. A proper orientation ensures that the longer facades face north to minimize solar exposure, especially during the hot summer months, while allowing winter sun penetration from the south. This reduces the need for artificial cooling and heating, thus improving energy efficiency. Additionally, buildings should be protected against hot summer winds and high solar exposure, with considerations for sun path diagrams and solar angle measurements .

The sun path diagram is significant as it helps architects understand the apparent movement of the sun throughout the year and design buildings that utilize or mitigate solar heat gain. It aids in determining the solar angles at different times of the day and year for a given location, facilitating the strategic placement of windows, shading devices, and structures. This ensures optimal daylight, minimizes overheating, and enhances energy efficiency .

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