passive solar design

Buildings represent the major energy consuming sector in India. Sustainable and climate responsive architecture offers possible solutions to this high energy demand. Vernacular buildings, in contrast to modern 20th century buildings, are more climate receptive to the environment and are based on principles evolved over many generations. The traditional architecture of housing in Chettinadu, Tamil Nadu, India is known for its use of natural and passive methods for a comfortable indoor environment. However, it has not been proved by a detailed and quantitative evaluation method so far.

In the framework of SOLVENT project, work was carried out to develop strategies and dissemination material to assist the efficient application of solar and passive ventilation in urban buildings. The information gathered during the project is synthesized in a website designed for the 'informed' architect and also useful to HVAC engineers in their discussions with their clients.

This paper outlines work in progress to develop dissemination material to assist the appropriate application of solar and passive ventilation in urban buildings.

A course which implemented a computer tool •As/CL/MA", as an aid in passive solar design, was taught in the School of Architecture of the University of Zulia, in Maracaibo, Venezuela. AS/CL/MA was designed by the author and used by students for the simulation of thermal conditions inside buildings. The students applied their creativity to generate ideas and the computer program to evaluate them, with the benefit of increased speed and precision over manual methods.

This paper describes the methodology used in the Design and Evaluation Group in the project OFFICE - Passive Retrofitting of Office Buildings to Improve their Energy Performance and Indoor Working Conditions' funded by the European Commission under the JOULE III Programme. The objectives of the OFFICE project are to promote passive solar and energy efficient retrofitting measures in office buildings.