Bioclimatic Architecture
One of the sustainable solutions nowadays is the use of bioclimatic architecture in the design of buildings and infrastructure. It is defined as the manner of designing buildings that is adapted to the local climate with the purpose of delivering comfort, energy efficiency and to ensure that the wellbeing of the occupants is prioritized at the same time respecting the environmental resources, conserving them and by improving the sustainable habits. This type of architecture is crucial in the battle against climate change.
Climate responsive designs have been incorporated since ancient times. The Greeks and Romans have done this through their builts and it has continually evolved and changed over times. Mainly the focus of bioclimatic architecture is to deliver occupant’s comfort, energy efficiency and sustainability with the minimal take from the environment. It is about preserving the limited resources while providing the comfort for the occupants of the structure.
Here are some of the strategies of bioclimatic architecture
1. Natural Ventilation: The smart use of louver windows in order to air out the space by removing CO2, odors, moisture from the interior areas. This is to guarantee that there are frequent air exchanges and optimizes the oxygen CO2 ratio concentration in a particular space. When the CO2 is too high, it can affect the well-being of the people within the indoor environment resulting in poor productivity and malaise. Too much moisture contained in a closed space can result in the growth of biological contaminants that threaten the health and safety of the occupants.
2. Thermal Mass: The adoption and usage of high thermal mass like stones, bricks and concrete in the design and builds would result in these materials absorbing heat during the day, storing them and releasing them at night if use incorrectly. In humid and hot weather conditions like the Philippines, it is recommended to use high thermal mass materials by blocking the heat from reaching these materials through proper shading. The materials instead would absorb the heat from the interior of the structure, storing and drawing out the stored heat as the cool night air passes through these materials while radiating the dispersed heat out the windows. This process maintains the comfortable indoor temperature naturally and is the proper way of using thermal mass.
3. Insulation: Preventing the ingress of heat in a structure is one of the main objectives of bioclimatic architecture. With the vast choices of insulation materials available to insulate roofs, ceilings, ducts, floorings and walls, it is imperative that the selected materials are specified properly for the intended purpose. The chosen materials must also be high-performing, effective, long-lasting and sustainable. Patsum Insulation has been in the forefront in the fight against climate change. We intend to continue doing so by supplying high-grade insulation materials to our clients at the right price.
