Climate Responsive Earth-Sheltered Buildings
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Date
1981-03
Authors
Brown, G. Z.
Novitski, B. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Center for Housing Innovation, University of Oregon
Abstract
An understanding of the impact of climate on the built
environment can lead to the' design of more fuel-efficient
buildings. The authors present a methodology for analyzing
climate conditions in terms of the architectural response
required for thermal comfort. They used hourly climate data for
several locations, and from these data determined diurnal and
seasonal climate patterns. Although climate varies widely in
different locations, several patterns - such as cold morning,
comfortable midday, cold night - are common throughout
North America in different seasons. Through proper architectural
and site treatment, buildings can be designed to accommodate
these patterns, effectively increasing the amount of
thermally comfortable time. The authors find that earth-sheltered
buildings can be designed in response to dynamic climate
conditions. In this way, the outside spaces associated with
underground buildings as well as the inside spaces can also be
designed for thermal comfort, thereby increasing the livable
space of the buildings.
Description
7 p.
Keywords
Buildings -- Energy conservation, Architecture and climate
Citation
Underground Space. Vol. 5. pp. 299-305. 1981