Climate-Responsive Building Design

Design strategy for the integration of climateresponsive design into dwellings

Subject Climate-responsive building design is about taking advantage of natural energy sources such as sun and wind that affect our built environment. The basic idea is that comfort is provided in close interaction with the dynamic conditions of the environment. Comfort is provided when needed and delivered where needed, while buildings can respond to changes in the internal and external climate and to occupant intervention. Goal The goal is to gather knowledge on climate-responsive building design in the fields of design, performance and process. Their synthesis will form the basis for the development of a design strategy for the appropriate implementation of climate-responsive principles into the design of dwellings. Expected Results A practical tool or manual for architects/designers that will provide them with means for appropriate implementation and application of climate-responsive design principles.

Researcher Supervisor Program/Subprogrm Host University

Remco Looman / r.h.j.looman@tudelft.nl Hans Cauberg / j.j.m.cauberg@tudelft.nl Design Integration of Sustainability & Comfort / Skins Delft University of Technology / Faculty of Architecture

Climate-Responsive Building Design

Design strategy for the integration of climate-responsive design into dwellings

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Building Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, r.h.j.looman@tudelft.nl

Remco Looman, Prof. Hans Cauberg, Dr. Andy van den Dobbelsteen

Subject Climate-responsive building design is about taking advantage of natural energy sources such as sun and wind that affect our built environment. The basic idea is that comfort is provided in close interaction with the dynamic conditions of the building environment. Comfort is provided when needed and delivered where needed, while buildings can respond to changes in the internal and external climate and to occupant intervention. Goals The goal of this research is to benefit from the potential of climate-responsive design principles in building design of dwellings by introducing knowledge and skills to the design process in such a way that it assists architects/designers in their design practice. Research Question How can knowledge on effective implementation of climate-responsive building design principles be made operational to architects/designers for use throughout the entire design process, so they can make performance-based decisions on the application of climate-responsive elements in their design? Strategy A first step is to identify different climate-responsive design concepts suitable for implementation in dwellings, and to formulate a typological model. The next step is to determine the performance potential of climate-responsive concepts on the aspects of energy and comfort by conducting building simulations. These simulations will provide more insights which can help improving existing building concepts as well as finding possible new solutions. Finally the gathered knowledge is dedicated to assist architects/designers in decision-making throughout their entire design process. Expected Results The synthesis of design, performance and design process concerning integrated use of climateresponsive elements can lead to a combined improvement of comfort and energy issues in the design of dwellings. A practical tool or manual for architects/designers will aid them in the appropriate implementation and full beneficial application of climate-responsive design concepts in their design. Preferred Partners Applications / Sponsors Architects/designers/project developers Prime Publication / Prototyping Looman, R.H.J. (2007) Design strategy for the integration of climate-responsive building elements in dwellings, in proceedings of CIB World Building Congress 2007, Cape Town, South Africa. Looman, R.H.J., Cauberg, J.J.M., Van den Dobbelsteen, A.A.J.F., Van Timmeren, A. & Tenpierik, M.J. (2007) Climate-responsiveness of building elements, in proceedings of PLEA 2007 24th international conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Singapore, pp. 105-111. Research Period 2006-2010