Figure 3.34 Temperate climate building design guidelines

Building type - This climate permits the most flexible arrangement and free forms of the buildings.

Form - Free forms are possible, however, elongation to the east-west is preferable with an optimum shape of 1:1.6. The volume effect is not too important.

 Orientation - The optimum orientation of the building is 17.5° east of south. The orientation of high buildings should be correlated with wind exposure.

Building envelope - Well-insulated building envelope is needed. Thermal mass coupled with balanced ventilation with heat recovery is beneficial. Operable shading systems are required to prevent summer over-heating;

Windows - The glazing should be energy efficient with very low to low U-value, moderate to high SHGC. South facing windows should be the largest with small openings on the west side. Windows should be positioned to provide cross ventilation and nocturnal ventilation.

 Roof - Eave and gable ventilation is needed which might be closed in winter.  Materials - Well insulated. The west wall materials can have 6 hour time lag balances the internal heat distribution.  Shading devices - Shading is needed from solar insolation in the overheated periods.

Horizontal shading is recommended to the south, Eggcrate sunshade on the east and west sides while on the north side vertical fins are beneficial.  Color - Medium colors are advantageous, light colors on roof surfaces and dark colors possible on recessed surfaces.

Figure 3.34Temperate climate building design guidelines

Hot-arid climate building design guidelines

This climate is characterized with summers which are hot and dry, due to the domination of the subtropical high pressure systems, except in the immediate coastal areas, where summers are milder due to the nearby presence of cold ocean currents that may bring fog but prevent rain (Mediterranean climate). It is classified as Csa according to the Köppen classification. Some European cities in this zone are: Madrid, Rome, Lisbon, Seville, Skopje, Athens etc. Recommendations for buildings` design in this climate are:

Building type - Proffered types are compact "patio" house type, row houses and other group arrangements with an east-west axis, which create a volume effect. High massive buildings are preferable.

Form and layout - Compact form is preferred with somewhat elongation to the east-west with an optimum shape of 1:1.3. In the layout, on the west side non-inhabited spaces should be placed to baffle the sun impact. Walled-in house arrangement can benefit from cool air pool effects. The layout should be efficient and stimulate natural ventilation.

 Orientation - The optimum orientation of the building is 25-35° east of south. For bilateral buildings with cross ventilation 12° south of west is preferred.

Building envelope - Well-insulated building envelope is required with limited glazed area.The thermal mass and lower night-time temperatures provide comfortable indoor conditions after sunset (nocturnal ventilation). Natural ventilation should be provided for cooling during the day and night time.

Windows - Windows should have very low SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient). Also, they need to be protected from direct solar radiation and external shades are preferred. The openings should be located on the south and north, and to a lesser degree on the east side. Windows should be positioned to provide cross ventilation.

 Roof - Well insulated and possibly ventilated roof. High solar reflectivity is required to prevent overheating.  Materials - Well insulated facade. The thermal heat capacity of the walls can vary, such as: east - 0 hours while the south, east and west walls - 10 hours.

Shading devices - Shading should be designed to prevent direct sunlight in summer. It is recommended that the devices should be separate from the structure and stimulate air convection.

Color - Reflective or cool colors exterior envelope surfaces (colors with low heat absorption to reduce the solar load during the summer period). White colors are recommended on sun exposed surfaces. Dark colors possible on recessed surfaces intended for winter solar radiation absorption.