The document presents a presentation on environmental design in cold and cloudy zones of India, highlighting climatic characteristics and building design recommendations for energy efficiency. Key features include strategies for heat retention, insulation, and optimal orientation of buildings to maximize solar gain, with examples from Koti Banal architecture and the Himurja office building. The presentation emphasizes the importance of passive solar strategies and the use of renewable energy systems in cold, high-altitude regions.

1. ELECTIVES - II
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
PRESENTATION ON
COLD & CLOUDY ZONE
Guided by- Ar. Deepali Hejib
BY
Rajni Sharma.
Priyal Ajmera.
Divyanshu Verma.
Thakur Prachi.
Yash Agrawal.

2. INTRODUCTION
◆ Based on the type of climate map of India can be divided into 5 major divisions.
Hot & Dry, Warm & Humid, Composite, Temperate & Cold & Cloudy.
◆ Regions that lie in the cold climate zone are situated at high altitudes.
◆ The temperatures range between 20–30 ºC in summers, while in winters, it can range from -3 ºC to 8 ºC,
or less.
The cold region can be further divided into 2 categories
◆ Cold & Sunny - The cold and sunny type of climate is experienced in Leh (Ladakh). The region is
mountainous, has little vegetation, and is considered to as a cold desert.
◆ Cold N Cloudy - Generally, the northern part of India experiences this type of climate. Most cold and
cloudy regions are situated at high altitudes. Shimla, Shillong, Srinagar and Mahabaleshwar are
examples of places belonging to this climatic zone. These are generally highland regions having
abundant vegetation in summer.

3. • State such as J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim & northern parts of UP have cold
and cloudy climate.
• These are generally highland regions having abundant
vegetation in summer.
• Heat Gain is low in winter with a high percentage of diffuse
radiation. Hence, winters are extremely cold.
• In summer, the maximum ambient temperatures is in the
range of 20 – 30 o C during the day and 17 – 27 o C at
night, making summers quite pleasant.
COLD
WARM & HUMID
HOT & DRY
COMPOSITE
TEMPERAE
INTRODUCTION

4. • The relative humidity is generally high and ranges from 70 – 80%.
• Annual total precipitation is about 1000 mm and is disturbed evenly throughout the year.
• This region experiences cold winds in the winter season. Hence, protection from winds is essential
in this type of climate.
• The sky is overcast for most part of the year except during the brief summer.
• In winter, the values range between 4 and 8 o C during the day and -3 to 4 o C at night, making
it quite chilly.
Thus trapping the sun’s heat whenever possible is a major design concern. At the same time, the
buildings in such regions need to be properly insulated so that the internal heat is retained with
minimum loss to the environment. Exposure to cold winds should also be minimized.
CHARACTERISTICS.

5. The main objectives of building design in these zones are -
Resisting heat loss & To resist heat loss, the following measures may be taken into
consideration:
◆ Decrease the exposed surface area of the building.
◆ Using materials that heat up fast but release heat slowly.
◆ Providing buffer spaces between the living area and the outside.
◆ Decreasing the rate of ventilation inside the building.
Heat gain can be promoted by -
◆ Avoiding excessive shading.
◆ Utilising the heat from appliances.
◆ Trapping the heat of the sun.
CHARACTERISTICS.

6. SITE
◆ Landform - In cold climates, heat gain is desirable. Hence, buildings
should be located on the south slope of a hill or mountain for better
access to solar radiation .
◆ Open spaces and built form - Buildings in cold climates should be
clustered together to minimise exposure to cold winds .Open spaces
must be such that they allow maximum south sun. They should be
treated with a hard and reflective surface so that they reflect solar
radiation onto each other.
◆ Street width and orientation - The street orientation should be east-
west to allow for maximum south sun to enter the building. The street
should be wide enough to ensure that the buildings on one side do
not shade those on the other side.
RECOMMENDATION .
The general recommendations for regions with a cold and cloudy, or cold and sunny climate are as follows –

7. ORIENTATION AND PLANFORM
◆ In the cold zones, the buildings must be compact with small S/V
ratios . This is because the lesser the surface area, the lower is the
heat loss from the building.
◆ Windows should preferably face south to encourage direct gain.
◆ The north side of the building should be well-insulated. Living areas
can be located on the southern side while utility areas such as stores
can be on the northern side.
◆ Air-lock lobbies at the entrance and exit points of the building
reduce heat loss.
◆ The heat generated by appliances in rooms such as kitchens may be
recycled to heat the other parts of the building.
RECOMMENDATION .

8. BUILDING ENVELOPE
◆ Roof - False ceilings are a regular roof feature of houses in cold
climates. One can also use internal insulation such as
polyurethane foam (PUF), thermocol, wood wool, etc. A sloping
roof enables quick drainage of rain water and snow.
◆ Walls - Walls should be of low U-value to resist heat loss. The
south-facing walls could be of high thermal capacity to store day
time heat for later use rest of the walls should also be insulated.
Hollow and lightweight concrete blocks are also suitable . On the
windward or north side, a cavity wall can be adopted.
◆ Fenestration - It is advisable to have the maximum window area on
the southern side of the building to facilitate direct heat gain. They
should be sealed and double glazed. Double glazing helps to avoid
heat losses during winter nights
◆ Colour and texture - The external surfaces of the walls should be
dark in colour for high absorptivity to facilitate heat gains.
RECOMMENDATION .

9. TROMBE WALL
A Trombe wall is a system for indirect solar heat gain and,
although not extremely common, is a good example of thermal
mass, solar gain, and glazing properties used together to achieve
human comfort goals passively
It consists of a dark coloured wall of high thermal mass facing
the sun, with glazing spaced in front to leave a small air space.
The glazing traps solar radiation like a small greenhouse.
A successful Trombe wall optimizes heat gain and minimizes
heat loss during cold times, and avoids excess heat gain in hot
times.
TECHNIQES .

10. CASE STUDY 1
KOTI BANAL ARCHITECTURE
UTTARAKHAND AND HIMACHAL PRADESH

11. Introduction
In the Rajgarhi area of Uttarkhashi
district of Uttarakhand, India a large
number of intact buildings of a distinct
earthquake resistant type known as Koti
Banal can be found. This construction type
has been in practice for more than 200 yrs
& it is reported that Koti Banal
architecture withstood & performed well
during many past damaging earthquakes
in the region (e.g. 1991 Uttarkashi quake of
magnitude 6.6 on the Richter scale). The
building are considered as the basics of
modern earthquake- resistant design.
KOTI BANAL ARCHITECTURE

12. DESIGN FEATURES:-
◆Sitting & Orientation:
- Situated on a firm ridge or plane ground having
rock outcrop without any buildings in the
immediate vicinity.
◆Thermal strategy:
- High thermal mass of the building envelope
retains heat.
- Small window opening prevent heat loss and
are south-facing.
- Low floor height (2.2 – 2.5 m) reduces the
internal volume of air to be heated.
- The attic space acts a thermal buffer.
Small window
opening

13. DESIGN FEATURES:-
◆ Earthquake resistance:
-Regular plan and elevation shapes, integration of wooden beam over the
total height of the building , small opening size and arrangement of shear
walls.
- Walls are strengthened against out-of-plane failure by shear key in the form
of a wooden member which runs vertically through the storey and is
structurally connected to the timber framing of the building.

14. DESIGN FEATURES:-
◆ Earthquake resistance:
- For lateral load resistance (horizontal), pair of wooden logs connected to each other by wooden
shear pins/tenons from a wooden frame which is braced by well dressed flat stone masonry.
- The dry stones masonry between the logs enables a certain level of flexibility and allows lateral
deflections of the building without damage effects.

15. KOTI BANAL ARCHITECTURE

16. BUILDING FEATURES :-
1. Typology
Multi-stoned detached structure of height varying between 7 -
12 m above the plinth. They have rectangular plan configurations
with the length and width varying from 4-8m .
2. Structure
The building rest upon a raised dry stone masonry platform over the foundation made in rubble
masonry in the lower part. The walls consists of a configuration with orthogonally arranged wooden
logs interconnected at the junction by wooden pins/tenons. For the two bottom most layers single
wooden logs while for upper layers double wooden logs are used. The infill between the logs is
furnished with well-dressed flat stones which are dry packed or by using A paste of pulses as mortar.
This wooden structure is not used for the upper part of the wall where the dressed stones have a load-
bearing function. The structure is further reinforced by wooden beams which are perpendicular to the
wooden logs at the middle of the walls connecting two parallel outer walls.

17. 4. Wall system
50-60 cm thick timber- reinforced stone masonry. The
thickness of the walls is determined by the thickness of the two
parallel arranged wooden logs.
3. Roof system
Typically, the roofing span is half of the building width . The roof
constructed consists of a wooden frame which is expected to act as a
flexible diaphragm and is clad with slate tiles.
5. Floor
Wooden beams door and planks resting on wooden joists
supported by beams or walls.
BUILDING FEATURES :-

18. 6. Door / windows
A single small door access on the ground
floor and relatively small south facing
windows floors above with wooden frames
and shutters.
7. Semi-outdoor spaces
The upper two floor is have balconies
running around the whole building
cantilevering from the wooden logs of the
flooring system with a wooden railing.
BUILDING FEATURES :-

19. CASE STUDY 2
ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING

20. HIMURJA OFFICE BUILDING,SHIMLA
The Himurja building is a multi-storeyed office that is located on a sharply
sloping site and employs a number of passive solar strategies well suited
for the Cold and Cloudy climate of Shimla. It is also a good example of
how to integrate renewable energy systems into the design of a building.
Climate of Shimla
◆ Solar Radiation: Low in winter with high percentage of diffuse
radiation
◆ Temperature :Summer Midday- 20-30 deg. C ; Summer night-17-21
deg. C; Winter Midday-4-8 deg. C; Winter night: -3 to -4 de. C
◆ Relative humidity: Varies between 70% to 80%
◆ Precipitation: Moderate, distributed evenly throughout year. Annual
total around 1000 mm
◆ Winds: Generally intense, especially during rainfall. Mainly
dependent on topography.
◆ Sky Condition: Overcast for most part of the year.
◆ Vegetation: Highland regions with abundant vegetation in summer

21. Building Feature Description
Typology 4 storeyed building of built up area 635 sq. m terraced
with an existing building. The ground and first floor are
coupled with the earth.
Structure RCC Structure
Roof System Well insulated sloping roof clad with metal sheets and
ideally oriented solar panel
Wall System Stone masonry in exposed walls, while insulated RCC
diaphragm walls coupled with the earth. All external
walls have good insulation of 5 cm thick glass wool.
Door/Windows South facing openings of double glazed panels and
hard plastic windows in some faces.
Buffer Spaces South facing solarium
Section demonstrating various passive solar features integrated inn the building
HIMURJA OFFICE BUILDING,FEATURES

22. HIMURJA OFFICE BUILDING,SHIMLA
Floor Plan of Himurja Office Building
A south west view o the office building showing
specially designed sunspaces for maximizing
solar gains in winter
Sunspaces can be used to
collect the suns heat, store it
centrally and distribute it to
other rooms. The wind is pre-
heated in the sunspace
before entering the building.
A sunspace, unlike direct
gain and tromba wall
system, adds a room to the
building.
Winter Section: Two openings
are provided on the wall
dividing the sunspace and
room. The air in the sunspace
rises when heated by
radiation, and is drawn inside
the room and cool air in the
room which is at a lower level
is let back in sunspace. This
forms a cycle of passive
heating air flow.
Summer section: Low inlets and high outlets can
be used in a "stack effect" which can be in the
form of wind catchers. Since warn air will rise. A
wind catcher placed with an opening exposed
to the prevailing wind direction forces the air
inside and warm air inside the room is drawn out
due to negative pressure formed inside the
room. Sunspace can be ventilated to the
outside to avoid heating.
Schematic Section for Winters Schematic Section for Summers

23. ROCKBED
Rock beds are a means of enlarging the
thermal mass of the building and thereby
increasing the ability to store energy. Air is
drawn from the sunspace and through bed
of rocks. Heat is given off to the rocks and
air is recirculated to a location in the hot
space to collect more heat.
AT night when heat is needed, air from the
occupied space is drawn through the rock
bed, where it picks up heat and distributed
back to the occupied space. The rock bed
can be located under a concrete slab that
will be heated by bed.
Schematic Section of Rockbed

24. DAYLIGHT, SOLARIUM, SOLAR CHIMNEY, AIR HEATING PANELS
Sitting and Orientation:
• The building is set into the slope of the site and the
orientation provides maximum exposure to the south
side
Daylight design:
• Distribution of daylight in spaces is achieved through
careful integration of window and light shelves
• Light reflected off the light shelves is distributed into
the deep plan of the building .by designing a ceiling
profile that provides effective reflectivity.
• Artificial lighting is seldom required in the south
oriented spaces, which are well-lit during working
hours
Insulation:
• Good insulation of 5cm thick glass wool in RCC
diaphragm walls prevents heat loss.
• Infiltration losses are minimized through weather-
proofed hard plastic windows.
• Double glazing helps control heat loss from glazing
without creating any internal condensation.

25. Design Features
Thermal Strategy:
• Coupling the ground and first floor with the earth prevents
heat loss to a great extent.
• With the openings on the south and west facades, the
building maximizes solar gain.
• The plan of the building and its three dimensional form
allow maximum penetration of sun maximizing both solar
heat gain and daylight.
• The judiciously designed thermal mass absorbs and provide
heat in the spaces throughout the day.
• Air heating panels designed as an integral part of the
southern well panels provide effective heat gain.
Distribution of heat gain in the entire building is achieved
through a connective loop
Ventilation:
• To optimize ventilation during summer, the contraceptive
loop is coupled with solar chimneys designed as an integral
part of the roof.
Buffer spaces:
• A solarium or sunspace is built as an integral part of the
southern wall maximizing heat gain.
Renewable energy systems:
• The photovoltaic system of 1.5kWp meets the energy
demand for lighting whenever required. Roof-mounted
solar water system (1000 litre per day) has been used in the
building. The water is circulated through radiators for space
heating especially in the northern spaces
A view of curved ceiling with glass blocks to distribute
daylight and roof-mounted solar water heating system

26. Thankyou!