2. Chapter (6 a) Coping with Climate Security Comfort Privacy Individuality Pride Status and Wealth * Micro Climate vs. Climate. * One of the most important functions of dwellings is to create a micro-climate acceptable to their occupants.
3. TAKING THE TEMPERATURE * Comfort: – Comfort can not be described by temperature or humidity levels only. – Comfort values differ widely with cultures: arctic or desert people vs. southern European. Immigrants from the Caribbean or East Africa may take longer time to adjust to the “damp cold” of northern latitudes. – Definition: “That state of mind which expresses satisfaction with thermal environment” .
4. TAKING THE TEMPERATURE * Comfort: – The difference in attitudes to comfort are due to physiological , as well as psychological , and cultural factors. – Comfort can be achieved through: mechanical means (active), or non-mechanical techniques (passive). Active : installation costs, monthly costs, maintenance costs, noisy, pollution, energy consumption. Passive : no running costs, quite, architecturally pleasing.
5. * Climate Elements: – Air Temperature – Temperature swing – Solar Radiation – Relative Humidity – Rainfall – Winds Characteristics of the Deserts 45 o to 51 o (80 o s in the sun) 51 o - 28 o = 23 o Extremely intense (1000 W/m 2 ) 30% at nighttime, and 10% daytime. very little Hot and dusty * Most structures are too permanent: It should respond to particular climate. In this case, a unique architecture is created.
6. * Tent: – Very effective dwelling: Transportable Flexible (under trees, stand alone, etc.) Walls can be raised or removed. Located in any place Climate responsive (shading and cross ventilation)
7. LIVING IN COMFORT * Comfort: * It is a thermal balance between the body and the environment. Biological – metabolic rate – Skin Temperature (29-34 o C) – Perspiration Environment – Temperature – Humidity – Radiation – Wind Movement Clothes + Activities Ideal situation 21 - 27 o C 20 - 80% varies depending on Temp Effective Temperature * Studies show that above an Effective Temperature of 26 o C some discomfort can be felt. Above 40 o C discomfort is experienced
8. – Australian aborigines, trying to cope with climate: a. Clothes: (shed the rain, provide insulation) b. Wiltja c. Activities (open-sided shelter where the breeze passes easily, covered with paper pieces and scrap materials)
9. * Clothing: * It is the first defense against the weather. – In the Africa Sahel, (daytime temperature between 27 - 29 o C) clothing is often minimal to allow for the process of sweating. – In the desert, Bedouin clothing is white “Dishdasha” which reflect solar radiation, and the looseness of the garment assists air circulation.
11. * Factors influencing the world climate: 1. Angle of the earth’s axis to the sun 2. Direction and speed of its rotation 3. The unequal distribution of land masses and oceans 4. Differences of atmospheric pressure 5. The energy received from solar radiation, temperature, etc. 6. The types and density of precipitation 7. The patterns of precipitation 8. Prevailing winds 9. Ocean currents.
12. STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH CLIMATE * Skin: * Clothes: * Dwellings: * Active Systems:
