Vernacular architecture refers to traditional local architecture that uses locally available building materials and responds to the climate. It is characterized by simple, functional designs. The document discusses different climate types according to the Köppen climate classification system and provides examples of vernacular architecture and passive design strategies appropriate for each climate type. These include compact forms, solar orientation, natural ventilation, shading, and use of local materials for hot arid, hot humid, temperate, Mediterranean, and continental climates.

1. Climate architypo

2. VERNACULAR
• Vernaculus is a term used to identify the language of the origin. The
word coming from the latin VERNUS, an asian (sanskrit) term, used by
romans to identify a slave and, in particular, the one who, parents
from abroad, has born in the master’s house.
So in latin time, they used to speak about vernacula vocabula as well
as festivitas, to identify slaves’ homeland traditions.

3. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
• It is the traditional, local architecture. Synonim of popular, poor, old
fashion, local materials, climate responsive, also sustainable
Pictures used in wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernacular_architecture

4. After Nomadic -> Permanent dwelling
• The main building materials, naturally available, are STONE, MUD and WOOD
• The main building choices are:
• Let natural light/sun enter/keep it out of the building
• Let natural ventilation go through the buiding (and the envelope)
• Stop/enhance heat transfer from inside to outside
• Stop/enhance heat transfer from outside to inside
• Store heat in the envelope
• Stop/enhance moisture transfer from inside to outside or store it in the
envelope

5. BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE
• Bioclimatic design – combining “biology” and “climate”, started in the
1950 with few architects: James Marston Ficht, Victor and Aladar
Olgyay
• Design choices want to assure physiological and psychological
comfort (and healthy conditions). You can study the (micro)climate
and choose those strategies that works better.
• Climate analysis starts with the Olgyay climatic charts.
Vivian Loftness, Dagmar Haase (eds.), Sustainable Built Environment, ISBN: 978-1-4614-5827-2
You also have CLIMATE RESPONSIVE, CONSCIOUS, … ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHITECTURE

6. The Watson and Labs matrix (1973)
HEAT SOURCES
Main strategies Conduction Ventilation Radiation Moisture transf.
WINTER
(cold season)
Increase heat gain Improve heat storage
when available
Improve indirect gains
from warm soil or sun
Improve solar
gains
-
Reduce heat loss Reduce heat transfer
from inside
Reduce air exchanges
and infiltrations
(*) -
SUMMER
(hot season)
Reduce heat gain Reduce heat transf.
from out to inside
Reduce heat storage.
Reduce air exchanges
and infiltrations of
hotter external air
Reduce solar gains -
Increase heat loss Increase heat transf.
from in. to outside
Improve air exchanges
and infiltrations of
colder external air
Increase radiant
losses (cooling)
Use evaporative
cooling
SOURCES - Atmosphere (+earth) Sun -
SINKS Earth Atmosphere (+earth) Sky vault Atmosphere (+water)
(*) in theory … you could

8. How many different climates we have?
Klima (ancient greek) means inclination. The
sun inclination influences the temperature (of
the air).
Wladimir Köppen (a botanist and geographer)
is the author of the first climate classification,
based on the averages (monthly) of the:
• Rain fall
• Air temperature

9. How many different climates we have?
Klima (ancient greek) means inclination. The
sun inclination influences the temperature (of
the air).
Wladimir Köppen (a botanist and geographer)
is the author of the first climate classification,
based on the averages (monthly) of the:
• Rain fall
• Air temperature

10. How many different climates we have?
Klima (ancient greek) means inclination. The
sun inclination influences the temperature (of
the air).
Wladimir Köppen (a botanist and geographer)
is the author of the first climate classification,
based on the averages (monthly) of the:
• Rain fall
• Air temperature
DalleslidesdiDr.R.B.Schultz

12. PASSIVE + SOLAR ARCHITECTURE
• Passive means non-active, i.e. without plants using non renewable
energy (we may have solar plants, using few NRenergy to work and to
exploit solar sources) … the main renewable source being the SUN.
• End of 80ies the PASSIVHAUS movement become an institution
supporting a building signature and certification
Mazria (1979) The passive solar energy book
Bo Adamson, Sweden
+Wolfgang Feist, Germany

13. GREEN and SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
• Climate change perception (not only energy security or saving)
• More complex approach: life cycle impact (embodied energy, disposal
after end of life …)

14. 14
Wladimir Peter Köppen
1846, St.Petersburg
1940, Gratz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen
Köppen classification is based on the
relationship between climate and vegetation
Five main climate areas:
A Tropical Moist (Hot-humid)
B Dry (Hot-Mild-Cold arid or semiarid climate)
C Moist-Temperate (Warm-humid, middle-latitude, mild winters),
D Continental (Cold-humid, middle-latitude, severe winters)
E Polar
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Tropical_climate_%28K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification%29.svg

15. 15
Wladimir Peter Köppen
1846, St.Petersburg
1940, Gratz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen
Köppen classification is based on the
relationship between climate and vegetation
Five main climate areas:
A Tropical Moist (Hot-humid)
B Dry (Hot-Mild-Cold arid or semiarid climate)
C Moist-Temperate (Warm-humid, middle-latitude, mild winters),
D Continental (Cold-humid, middle-latitude, severe winters)
E Polar
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Koppen_World_Map_B.png/1024px-Koppen_World_Map_B.png

16. 16
Wladimir Peter Köppen
1846, St.Petersburg
1940, Gratz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen
Köppen classification is based on the
relationship between climate and vegetation
Five main climate areas:
A Tropical Moist (Hot-humid)
B Dry (Hot-Mild-Cold arid or semiarid climate)
C Moist-Temperate (Warm-humid, middle-latitude, mild winters),
D Continental (Cold-humid, middle-latitude, severe winters)
E Polar
Dry-summer subtropical or Mediterranean climates

17. 17
Wladimir Peter Köppen
1846, St.Petersburg
1940, Gratz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen
Köppen classification is based on the
relationship between climate and vegetation
Five main climate areas:
A Tropical Moist (Hot-humid)
B Dry (Hot-Mild-Cold arid or semiarid climate)
C Moist-Temperate (Warm-humid, middle-latitude, mild winters),
D Continental (Cold-humid, middle-latitude, severe winters)
E Polar
Humid subtropical climates

18. 18
Wladimir Peter Köppen
1846, St.Petersburg
1940, Gratz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen
Köppen classification is based on the
relationship between climate and vegetation
Five main climate areas:
A Tropical Moist (Hot-humid)
B Dry (Hot-Mild-Cold arid or semiarid climate)
C Moist-Temperate (Warm-humid, middle-latitude, mild winters),
D Continental (Cold-humid, middle-latitude, severe winters)
E Polar
Oceanic climates

19. 19
Wladimir Peter Köppen
1846, St.Petersburg
1940, Gratz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_K%C3%B6ppen
Köppen classification is based on the
relationship between climate and vegetation
Five main climate areas:
A Tropical Moist (Hot-humid)
B Dry (Hot-Mild-Cold arid or semiarid climate)
C Moist-Temperate (Warm-humid, middle-latitude, mild winters),
D Continental (Cold-humid, middle-latitude, severe winters)
E Polar
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koppen_World_Map_D.png

22. L’europa
http://sunbird.jrc.it/pvgis/pv/solres/solres.htm

23. L’europa
http://sunbird.jrc.it/pvgis/pv/solres/solres.htm

24. Design/operation choices
• Urban form/relation between buildings
• Orientation
• Form
• Air permeability
• Solar openings
• Colours
• Materials
• Use of the building

25. DRY ClimatesDry, Arid, and Semiarid Climates

26. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Low-Latitude Hot Desert
(BWh)
Figure 6.21

27. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Low-Latitude Hot Steppe
(BSh)
Figure 6.23

28. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Midlatitude Cold Desert
(BWk)
Figure 6.22

29. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Midlatitude Cold Steppe
Figure 6.24

31. Hot and dry climates: mainly summer,
with few winter care
HEAT SOURCES
Main strategies Conduction Ventilation Radiation Moisture transf.
WINTER
(cold season)
Increase heat gain Improve heat storage
when available
Improve indirect gains
from warm soil or sun
Improve solar
gains
-
Reduce heat loss Reduce heat transfer
from inside
Reduce air exchanges
and infiltrations
(*) -
SUMMER
(hot season)
Reduce heat gain Reduce heat transf.
from out to inside
Reduce heat storage.
Reduce air exchanges
and infiltrations of
hotter external air
Reduce solar gains -
Increase heat loss Increase heat transf.
from in. to outside
Improve air exchanges
and infiltrations of
colder external air
Increase radiant
losses (cooling)
Use evaporative
cooling
SOURCES - Atmosphere (+earth) Sun -
SINKS Earth Atmosphere (+earth) Sky vault Atmosphere (+water)

32. Design/operation choices
• Urban form
• Building Form
• Orientation
• Air permeability
• Solar openings
• Colours
• Materials
• Use of the building
http://www.brindisitime.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ostuni-Centro-Storico.jpg

33. Design/operation choices
• Urban form
• Building Form
• Orientation
• Air permeability
• Solar openings
• Colours
• Materials
• Use of the building

34. Design/operation choices
• Urban form: Compact, with vegetation (if possible)
• Building Form: Compact (if w/low internal gains)
• Orientation: Avoid west (and east), consider winds
• Air permeability: modifiable
• Solar openings: small and with mobile shadows
• Colours: Clear/white
• Materials: depends on the temperature cycle (annual and daily)
• Use of the building: close when too warm, open when cooler

35. Design/operation choices
• Roof: Pitched if double, flat but as clear as possible or shadowed or
green
• Wall: thick high conductivity to reduce the temperature variability
• Windows: Little, size to have enough winter solar gains and to
minimize summers. Openable, with movable shade. If possible south
facing, other orientations to catch wind during night and days.
• Water: If any water, courtyard gardens and patio fountains
(evapotranspiration), street trees, evaporation sprays …
• Balconies: may work to give shade on south facing walls
• Internal walls and doors: if acoustical privacy is not so important, with
openings to let transverse ventilation take actions

36. https://misfitsarchitecture.com/2015/04/11/its-not-rocket-science-12-getting-some-rays/#jp-carousel-72511
• The
a co
• Inter
cool
• Mo
exte
Cour

37. o u td o o r p la n n in g
Outdoor spaces:
• Asmost day-to-day activitiestake place outside, it is
important to treat the external spacesjust ascarefully as
the indoors.
• Adjacent buildings, pavements, roadsheat up quickly and
cause a glare onto the building during the day and
at night, they radiate the heat stored during the day.
• One way to avoid thisisto place wallsprotecting external
spaces, to keep out dust and winds.
• Also, landscaping like trees, plantsand water in enclosed
spaceswill cool the air by evaporation.
• But the best solution iscourtyards. In these a pool of night
air isretained, asthisisheavier than surrounding warmair
• A small courtyard isexcellent asa thermal regulator.
Courtyard design with evaporative cooling
e courtyard isprovided with water and plants, it actsas
cooling source.
ernal courtyardsprovidescrossventilation& natural
urtyard

38. Vernacular examples – Yemen mud high rise houses
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibam#/media/File:Shibam2.JPG

39. Vernacular examples – Yemen mud high rise houses
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibam#/media/File:Shibam_Wadi_Hadhramaut_Yemen.jpg

40. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibam#/media/File:Old_Walled_City_of_Shibam-109044.jpg

42. Al Bahr Towers
2,000 intelligent, controlled, shading
components that automatically open and
close depending on the intensity of sunlight

44. http://www.ritebook.in/2014/09/matmata-troglodyte-houses-in-tunisia.html

45. http://www.ritebook.in/2014/09/matmata-troglodyte-houses-in-tunisia.html

47. Tropical, warm-humidTropical Climates
daily temperature change
is greater than annual

48. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Tropical Rain Forest
(Tropical Wet)
(Af)

49. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Tropical Monsoon
(Am)
Figure 6.7

50. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Figure 6.8
Tropical Savanna
(Tropical Wet-Dry)
(AW)

51. Design/operation choices
• Urban form: sprawl to enhance ventilation cooling, with vegetation
• Building Form: diffused
• Orientation: not significant all sun must be shadeed
• Air permeability: the highest and through a double envelope
• Solar openings: the least
• Colours: Clear/white
• Materials: light
• Use of the building: as close as possible to light as open as possible to
natural ventiliation

52. Design/operation choices
• Roof and wall: double, light envelope external shadow + internal
permeable. No significative insulation
• Windows: wide and distributed (best if north and some south), with
shade, roof windows in particular are important (stack effect+best
lighti), to catch wind during night and days.
• First floor: where there is a flood risk (but not only) … elevated
• Balconies: yes everywhere
• Internal walls and doors: if acoustical privacy is not so important, with
openings to let transverse ventilation take actions

53. Temperate (mesothermal) climateMesothermal Climates

54. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Figure 6.9
Humid Subtropical
Hot-Summer
(Cfa)

55. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Figure 6.11
Marine West Coast
(Cfb, Cfc)

56. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Figure 6.12
Marine West Coast
(Cfc)

57. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification Mediterranean Climates
(Csa, Csb)
Figure 6.14

59. Continental Climate
Microthermal Climates

60. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Humid Continental Hot-Summer (Dfa, Dwa)

61. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Humid Continental Mild-Summer (Dfb, Dwb)
Figure 6.16

62. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Subarctic (Dfc, Dwc)
Figure 6.17

63. https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
Subarctic (Dfd, Dwd)
Figure 6.18

64. Continental climate: both winters and summers
HEAT SOURCES
Main strategies Conduction Ventilation Radiation Moisture transf.
WINTER
(cold season)
Increase heat gain Improve heat storage
when available
Improve indirect gains
from warm soil or sun
Improve solar
gains
-
Reduce heat loss Reduce heat transfer
from inside
Reduce air exchanges
and infiltrations
(*) -
SUMMER
(hot season)
Reduce heat gain Reduce heat transf.
from out to inside
Reduce heat storage.
Reduce air exchanges
and infiltrations of
hotter external air
Reduce solar gains -
Increase heat loss Increase heat transf.
from in. to outside
Improve air exchanges
and infiltrations of
colder external air
Increase radiant
losses (cooling)
Use evaporative
cooling
SOURCES - Atmosphere (+earth) Sun -
SINKS Earth Atmosphere (+earth) Sky vault Atmosphere (+water)

65. Solar is power
http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/congress/powerpoints/clericia0904.pps

66. Solar energy through windows and walls
DIRECT GAIN

67. Solar energy through windows and walls
DIRECT GAIN
Take care of OVERHEATING … consider ventilation

68. Solar energy through windows and walls
DIRECT GAIN
Take care of OVERHEATING … consider ventilation

69. What happens during the night?

70. Form and geometry

71. Form and geometry

72. Form and geometry

73. Form and geometry

74. INDIRECT GAIN
• Thermal storage and Mass
A passive solar heating system consisting of a south facing heavy (high
heat capacity) wall:
• heavy masonry (Trombe Wall)
• water filled containers (water wall)
• The outside south facing surface is glazed to admit sunlight and reduce heat
losses.
• Trombe-Michel Wall -- a dark, south facing masonry wall protected by
a glass (lower convection/radiation) + ventilation
• Water Wall -- a water filled containers behind the same glass, south
facing of course.

75. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

76. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

77. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

78. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

79. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

80. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

82. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN

83. Thermal storage and Mass
INDIRECT GAIN
Is this a living space?

84. Solar Fabrique - Friburgo

85. Solar Fabrique - Friburgo

89. TIM

90. PCM Phase Change Materials

91. Puits canadiens

92. Puits canadiens

93. Some wiki-pages and other open (not always) resources:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_average_yearly_temperature
• https://www.slideshare.net/rmsimpson/climate-classification
• Vivian Loftness, Dagmar Haase (eds), Sustainable Built Environments, Springer, 2013
• http://www.solaripedia.com/
• National design handbook prototype on passive solar heating and natural cooling of
buildings, UN Centre for Human Settlements, Nairobi, 1990, available here
• Paul Gut, Dieter Ackerknecht, Climate responsive building. Appropriate Building
Construction in Tropical and Subtropical Regions, SKAT 1993, available here
• Hassan Fathy, Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture: Principles and Examples
with Reference to Hot Arid Climates (1986), available here.