This document summarizes a presentation on understanding thermal comfort given by Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, and Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai. It defines thermal comfort as satisfaction with the physical environment, which depends on factors like air temperature, humidity, radiation, air movement, clothing, and activity level. Understanding thermal comfort is important for designing comfortable indoor spaces and buildings that consider the local climate. Strategies for achieving thermal comfort include the PMV/PPD model and adaptive thermal comfort model. Both passive and active design strategies can be used to control heat and ensure comfort.

2. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Understanding of
Thermal Comfort
23rd April, 2023
Presenters
Dr. Shyam Sundar Khadka
Ar. Buddha Shrestha, PhD Scholar
Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai

3. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
What is Thermal Comfort (TC)
The state of mind which feels satisfaction with the physical environment. And this is
assessed by
subjective evaluation (as expressed by the subject person)
• The sensation of thermal comfort is closely related to the heat exchange between the
human body and its environment.
Heat exchange process in a room,
In equation;
Qi +Qs +/- Qc +/-Qv +/-Qm -Qe = 0
(i.e. nearly 20˚C Room temp)
- Comfortable indoor temperature ranges from
15˚C - 26˚C

4. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Factors Affecting TC
The factors that influence the sensation of
thermal comfort does not depends upon air
temperature only. It depends on following
factors:
1. Air temperature
2. Relative humidity
3. Radiation
4. Air movement
5. Clothing
6. Human Activity

5. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Why do we need to know about Thermal Comfort ?
•Design building and built-up environment with thermal comfort in any Climatic
Condition.
•Gives ideas about heat exchange process in a human and building
•Also gives ideas about the heat control techniques (passive and active), materials and
technology.
For
• Comfortable living (indoor spaces), Health and Well being
• Performance of activity

6. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
How to Achieve Thermal Comfort
PMV/ PPD Model
Adaptive Thermal Comfort Model
- Depends on the climatic region where you are designing

7. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Strategies for Thermal Comfort
Active and Passive Strategies

8. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Background
Source://http://archive.nepalitimes.com/cms/ib/data/1/44/11020.jpg
• Population as per census 2078: 29.1
million.
• Composed of diverse ethnicities as a
result of successive migration of
Tibeto-Burman from north-east and
Indo-Aryans from south-west.
• 126 ethnic group and 123 languages
spoken as mother tounge.
• These ethnic groups have been
residing along these geographical
regions in various settlements forms
from several hundreds of years.
Ethnographic map of Nepal

9. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Background
Source://http://archive.nepalitimes.com/cms/ib/data/1/44/11020.jpg
Figure 2: Ethnographic map of Nepal

10. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Background
• These settlements forms are sculpted by the geography, climate of that region
• The culture, tradition and ritual has contributed in settlement pattern, built spaces and
architecture of dwelling units.
• The fundamental unit of the settlement, the dwelling is the result of hundreds of years of
optimization to provide a comfortable shelter in a local climate using available local building
materials and tried and tested construction technologies.

11. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Problem statement
• These mountain region settlements have maintained uninterrupted traditions in their cultural
practices and their built form. But, in recent years these vernacular architecture traditions of the
areas are undergoing rapid change.
• The reasons for the change are various: such as reconstruction after natural disasters, climate
changes, vehicular connectivity due to new road network, availability of new and modern building
materials, the shift from agrarian-based to other occupations results in the transformation and
develop of new built spaces.
• Whatever might be the reasons, it should to be understood and deconstructed in a comprehensive
manner to unfold a holistic view of the issue of the changes.
• Otherwise, the new development would be a completely different alien structure, which results in
the loss of traditional vernacular architectural identity of the area.

12. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Problem statement
Source: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/man-fixing-a-new-roof-on-a-
house-news-photo/566446825?adppopup=true
Laprak village before earthquake A model integrated settlement developed following
the 2015 earthquake in Laprak.
Source: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/integrated-settlements-failed-nepal.html

13. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Problem statement
Barpak village before (left) and after reconstruction (right) of earthquake 2015
https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/lost-in-reconstruction/

14. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Research gap
• There has been some comprehensive research of the vernacular settlements of few ethnic
groups of Nepal.
• Tradition settlement of Kathmandu valley, during Kirat and Lichhavi period gives the
comprehensive knowledge of settlement of that period.
• Another research reveals the socio-cultural aspects of that shaped the traditional settlement of
Thimi.
• Several book about Mustang region also give the comprehensive knowledge of the settlements
and building of Mustang region.
• After the earthquake of 2015, many research was done, which focused mainly on structural
aspects and construction technology of buildings (Castilla et al., 2020), However, fails to address
the social and cultural aspects, that has been shaping their vernacular characteristics.

15. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Research objective
Main objective
• To identify the fundamental principle(s) that contributes in shaping the settlement.
• Tangible component (Spatial plan, characteristics of an individual building unit)
• Intangible component ( Social, cultural and religious principle behind it)
Secondary objective
• To understand the issue and nature of the changes that occurs in settlement and in the building
unit due to change in life style, occupation, climate change, and natural disaster.
• Will attempt to find out if, the physical changes also changed the original principles that
structured them or do they operate within these original principles?

16. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Methodology
Groat and Wang identify seven research strategies for Architectural research
• Interpretative-Historical Research
• Qualitative Research
• Experimental Research,
• Correlational Research
• Simulation and Modeling research
• Logical Argument research
• Case study observations

17. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Methodology
Identify Comprehensive study Understanding Changes
Objective 1 Objective 2
Altitude
(500m-2500m),
Architecture
characteristics
Historic
significance
Social/ cultural
aspects
Tangible
Intangible
Preparation of
base map
Typology
identification
Literature study
Observation/
Interview
Documentation
each typology
Socio cultural /
religious study
Spatial / physical
Study
Type/degree of
change
Issue/ causes of
change
Interview and
Visual observation
In-situ documentation
of changes
Spaces and
structure associated
v v
RESULT 1
Result 2

18. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Expected outcome
• This research will unfold different tangible and intangible forces that shapes the
settlements (of specific ethnic group).
• This research identify the relation of the various social, cultural, religious aspects with
spatial units within dwellings and settlements, and examine the changes.
• This research will recommend the appropriate solution to address the changes (if
necessary)

19. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Research schedule

20. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Contribution
• This outcome of this research will be an do the valuable and meaningful contribution to the Mountain
Architecture program of Kathmandu University.
• It will disclose and record one more vernacular mountain region settlement of specific ethnic group.
• It will also support the SDG 11 "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and
sustainable"

21. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
References
• Bodach, S., Lang, W., & Hamhaber, J. (2014). Climate responsive building design strategies of vernacular architecture
in Nepal. Energy & Buildings, 81, 227–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.06.022
• Chidi, C. L. (2009). Human Settlements in High Altitude Region Nepal. The Geographical Journal of Nepal, 7, 1–6.
• Corneille, J. (2016). Settlements in Dolpo. In Toffin Gerard (Ed.), Man and His House in Himalayas, Ecology of Nepal
(Second, pp. 193–208). Mandala Publication.
• Government of Nepal, M. of F. affairs. (n.d.). Post-Earthquake Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Measures
Government of Nepal. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://mofa.gov.np/post-earthquake-relief-rehabilitation-and-
reconstruction-measures-government-of-nepal/
• Paudel, P. K. (2012). An Overview of Biodiversity of Nepal. In P. Kindlemann (Ed.), Himalayan Biodiversity in changing
world (pp. 1–40). Springer.
• Shankar, P. (2006). Understanding change in Himalayan vernacular houses An appraisal of Uttarkashi in view of global
connectivity and natural disasters. Seminar.
• Shrestha, V. P. (2007). A Consise geography of Nepal. Mandala Publication.
• Upreti, B. . (1999). An overview of the stratigraphy and tectonics of the Nepal Himalaya. Journal of Asian Earth
Sciences, 17(5–6), 577–606. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1367912099000474/

22. Dr. Shyam S. Khadka, Ar. Buddha Shrestha, Ar. Bishwodev Bhattarai
Training of Master Trainers (TOT) for Designers on Energy Efficient Building Design
9/22/2-23
Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN)
Thank you
Any queries?