DELHI TECHNICAL CAMPUS
KNOWLEDGE PARK III GREATER NOIDA
AP- 405
SEMINAR
REPORT
TOPIC -CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHTECTURE
SUBMITTED BY- SUBMITTED TO-
SAURABH Mohd. Parvez Alam
[Link] 4th Year
7th Sem
03018001622
INDEX
1. Synopsis
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Aim
1.3. Need and scope
1.4. Limitation
1.5. Methodology
2. Literature Study
2.1. Introduction
2.2 Factors affecting climate
2.2.1. Solar radiation
2.2.2. Ambient temperature
2.2.3. Air humidity
2.2.4. Precipitation
2.2.5. Wind
2.2.6. Sky condition
2.2.7. Temperature
2.2.8. Vegetation
2.3. Climate in India
2.3.1. Hot and Dry
2.3.2. Warm and Humid
2.3.3. Composite
2.3.4. Cold and sunny
2.3.5. Moderate
3. Case study (Pearl Academy of fashion Jaipur)
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1. Location
3.1.2. About
3.2. Sun path
3.3. Orientation
3.4. Form optimization morphology
3.5. Passive techniques
3.6. Evaporation cooling
3.7. Courtyard and Stap wall
3.8. Daylight, Ventilation And structure grid
3.9. Material use
3.10. zoning
4. Case study (Indian institute of management Bangalore)
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Location
4.1.2 About
4.2 Orientation
4.3 Form
4.4 Structure
4.5 Green
4.6 Skylight
4.7 Material used
4.8 Site zoning
5. Comparative analysis
6. References
CHAPTER 1
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHTECTURE
[Link]
Climate-Responsive Architecture is a design approach that uses passive
techniques to minimize a building's energy consumption for heating, cooling,
and lighting by adapting to the local climate.
It's an evolution of traditional vernacular architecture, merging ancestral
wisdom with modern scientific knowledge and technology. The goal is to
create comfortable indoor environments with the lowest possible
environmental impact.
2. Aim and Objectives
Aim
To explore and analyses the principles, techniques, and efficacy of
Climate-Responsive Architecture (CRA) in achieving net-zero energy
consumption and enhancing the thermal comfort of buildings across diverse
climatic zones.
Objectives
• To identify and categorize the key climatic factors (solar radiation, wind
patterns, temperature, humidity) that influence building design.
• To detail the passive design strategies (e.g., orientation, shading, thermal
mass, evaporative (cooling) suitable for India's major climate zones (Hot &
Dry, Warm & Humid, Composite, Cold).
• To evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of CRA compared to
conventional air-conditioned buildings.
• To present case studies of successful CRA projects that demonstrate the
practical application of these principles.
3. Need and Scope
Need of CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE
• Mitigating Climate Change: Buildings account for a significant portion of
global energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. CRA drastically
reduces the operational energy demand.
• Energy Security: Decreases reliance on non-renewable energy sources,
lowering peak load demand on the electrical grid.
• Thermal Comfort and Health: Provides superior, non-mechanical thermal
comfort, often leading to better indoor air quality and occupant well-being.
• Rising Temperatures: Essential for future-proofing cities against the
increasing frequency and intensity of Heatwaves
Scope of the Study
• Climate Analysis: Focus on the five major Indian climate zones as
defined by the National Building Code (NBC).
• Passive Techniques: Comprehensive review of strategies like
daylighting, natural ventilation, shading, and the use of appropriate
thermal mass and insulation.
• Materials: Discussion on the use of local and low-embodied energy
materials (e.g., stabilized mud blocks, fly ash bricks).
[Link]
• Technological Limitations: Lack of integration between traditional
passive techniques and modern technologies can limit overall
efficiency.
• Regulatory and Policy Barriers: Building codes or urban
development guidelines may not always support or incentivize
climate-responsive features.
• Lack of Awareness and Expertise: Many architects, builders, and
clients are still not fully aware of or trained in climate-responsive
design principles.
• Time-Consuming Design Process: It requires detailed climatic
analysis, site studies, and modelling, which can extend project
timelines.
5. Methodology
• Literature Review: Synthesize data from academic journals, building
codes (ECBC, NBC), and government reports on sustainable design.
• Parametric Study (Conceptual): Illustrate the impact of changing a
single variable (e.g., window size, orientation) on building
performance using simple diagrams or simulation results (if
available).
• Case Study Analysis: Detailed presentation of 2-3 globally or
nationally recognized buildings that exemplify successful CRA,
detailing the specific passive strategies used for their respective
climates.
• Comparative Analysis: Compare the Energy Performance Index
(EPI) and estimated carbon dioxide emissions of a CRA building
versus a conventional building in the same climate zone.
CHAPTER-2
LITERATURE STUDY
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHTECTURE
[Link]
Climate responsive design considers the impact of building
Design on:
The local micro climate
The effects of wind and rain
Sunlight and shadowing, and reflection and glare
2. FACTORS AFFECING CLIMATE
•Solar radiation
•Ambient temperature
•Air humidity
•Precipitation
•Wind
•Sky condition
•Vegetation
2.1 SOLAR RADIATION
• Solar radiation is the radiant energy received from the sun.
• It is the intensity of sunrays falling per unit time per unit area and is
usually expressed in Watts per square metre (W/m2)
.
The radiation incident depends
on the basis of geographic,
location, orientation, season,
time of day and atmospheric
condition
Effect of Sky cover
Effect of orientation
2.2 AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
The temperature of air in a shaded (but well ventilated) enclosure is known
as the ambient temperature.
It is generally expressed in degree Celsius (°C).
Temperature at a given site depends on wind as well as local factors such
as shading, presence of water body, sunny condition,
2.3 AIR HUMIDITY
Air humidity, which represents the amount of moisture present in the air.
High humidity accompanied by high ambient temperature causes lot of
discomfort.
2.4 PRECIPITATION
The definition of precipitation is any form of water liquid or solid falling
from the sky.
Precipitation includes water in all its forms rain, snow, hail or dew.
It is usually measured in millimeters (mm) by using a rain gauge
[Link]
Wind is the movement of air due to a difference in atmospheric
pressure.
Wind speed can be measured by an anemometer and is usually
expressed in metres per second (m/s).
It is a major design consideration for architects because it affects
indoor comfort conditions by influencing the convective heat
exchanges of a building envelope, as well as causing air infiltration into
the building
2.5 SKY CONDITION
Sky condition generally refers to the extent of cloud cover in the sky or the
duration of sunshine.
Under clear sky conditions, the intensity of solar radiation increases.
whereas it reduces in monsoon due to cloud cover
2.6 TEMPERATURE
Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses the subjective
perceptions of hot and cold.
Temperature is measured with a thermometer, historically calibrated
in various temperature scales and units of measurement.
The most commonly used scales are the Celsius scale, denoted in
°C the Fahrenheit scale (°F), and the Kelvin scale.
2.7 VEGETATION
3. CLIMATES OF INDIA
-HOT AND DRY
-WARM AND HUMID
-COMPOSITE
-COLD AND SUNNY
-COLD AND CLOUDY
-MODERATE
3.1 HOT AND DRY
Flat roof is used because of sandstorms not
obstruct the wind flow.
Pitch roof should be built as double layers.
Small windows- to prevent sand and dust from
entering the house
Thick wall - the entering of heat into the house
during daytime become slower and at night the
cold air push the warm air to flow outside and the
building is maintained cold
Concrete houses are built. Colors of the
buildings light / bright.
Materials - crack and break up cause by high
daytime temperature
and rapid cooling at night
3.2 WARM AND HUMID
-Wall is still warm at night because of the high solar radiation during
the day
-Pitch roof is used act as a buffer to reduce the entering of heat into
the house
-Gutters are built
-Plastered single layer wall to prevent heat captured in the house
-Window hoods and balcony to reduce the entering of solar radiation
and daylight into the house
-More windows and the opening are wide
-Aprons to prevent dirt on the wall
-Wide doors wind shaft is built to enable heated air go outside
-Ceiling (high ceiling) to prevent direct heat into the house
3.3 COMPOSITE
-Courtyard type buildings are very suitable
-A moderate dense, lowrise development
-Large projecting eaves and wide verandas are
needed in the warm-humid season as out
door living areas to reduce sky glare,
keep out the rain and provide shade
-Shading devices should preferably be of low
thermal capacity
-Roof and external walls constructed of solid
masonry and concrete.
-Resistance insulation placed at the outside
surfaces of external walls or roofs.
-Large openings in opposite walls preferably
with
3.4 COLD AND SUNNY
Providing roof insulation and east and west wall
insulation.
Increase shading on east and west walls by
overhangs, fins and trees.
Increase surface reflectivity by using light-
coloured textures.
Encourage ventilation by locating windows
properly.
Increase air exchange rate with the help of
courtyard and Arrangement of openings.
3.5 COLD AND CLOUDY
Exposed surface areas are reduced by
careful orientation and shape of building.
Wall and roof insulation and double
glazing Thicker walls. Providing air locks
and lobbies, darker colours inside as well
as outsides.
Reduce shading on walls and glazed
portions.
3.6 MODERATE
Natural lighting is extensively used in the north-east and north-west by
hollowing out courtyards.
Roof insulation was provided by using a roof system of precast hollow
terracotta curved panels with nominal G I reinforcement. The hollow
terracotta layer works as heat-resisting layer.
A thick 'wall' on the southern/south-western side, which comprised
largely masonry surface within which were located the services such as
toilets, pantry, kitchen work space.
The depth of the south-west wall was used to shield the heat and
provide pockets for openings located on this 'wall' to pull in south-west
breeze.
CHAPTER -3
CASE STUDY-1
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHTECTURE
PEARL ACADEMY OF FASHION (JAIPUR)
1. INTRODUCTION
Form optimization, morphology
The site was excavated to a depth of 4m to create an underbelly and two
stories of classrooms, studios and offices were raised on pilots above this
void.
Orthogonal perimeter offices frame a biomorphic configuration of classrooms
and studios, drawing in natural light from all sides.
Open and glass walled walkways surround these undulating blocks which
define openings to the lower level.
The first and the second floors are clad in fretted panels, attached to a metal
frame.
Passive techniques
Double-skinned wall
The traditional building element used in most of the arid and semi-arid regions
called 'Jaali' has been incorporated.
It acts as a thermal buffer and also serves the three functions of light, air, and
privacy.
The outer skin is about 4 feet away from the building.
Drip channels running along the inner face of the jalli allow for passive
downdraft evaporative cooling, thus reducing the incident wind temperature.
Evaporative cooling
The entire building is raised about above the ground and a scooped out of
about 4m under belly forms a natural thermal sink which is cooled by
water bodies through evaporative cooling.
The underbelly is a micro-climate modifier, and step well section cools
the building from within and the air coming inside dropping down the
temperature to cool and pleasant environment.
Courtyard and Step wall
The scheme relies on self-shading sliver courts to control the temperatures
of internal spaces and open stepped wells while allowing for sufficient day
lighting inside.
The resultant scooped-out underbelly forms a thermal sink. Thermally
banked on all side, the underbelly is a grotto-like space, a space sacred
congregation within an academic institution.
The water body is fed by the recycled water from the sewage treatment
plant and helps in the creation of micro-climate modifier through evaporative
cooling
Daylight, ventilation and structural grid
The courtyard gets indirect light into the classrooms and helps in the creation
of naturally ventilated and lit singly-loaded corridors. The entire building is
on 9m grid, single bay, naturally lit and cross ventilation.
The configuration of this grid allows to lighting, ventilation and along with
a ventilation and along with a flexible system of portioning for the years to
come.
During the night when the desert temperature drops this floor slowly dissipates
surroundings keeping the area thermally comfortable.
Material use
Mix of local stones
Earthen pots for insulation
Steel
Glass
Concrete
The exterior is painted orange to set off the white jali.
Interior surfaces are painted white to reduce absorption.
Zoning
-Entry to site is from the service road and not through the main road.
-Entry and exit through the same way.
-Total no of cars = 30
-Total no of bikes = 40
-Main entrance through front leads through the reception of the building
-which is elevated from the ground level forming an underbelly below.
-The planning of the building is in such a way that it forms a perfect
rectangle with admin offices in the front, facing the road. classrooms and
labs are in the rear side of the building.
-Irregular planning of courtyards leads to the lecture halls, auditorium and
the library.
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
BANDALORE (KARNATAKA)
LOCATION
Location: IIM Bangalore, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru,
India, Pin code: 560076
Architect: BV Doshi
Category: Institute
Climate: Hot-Dry
Topography: Undulating terrain with gentle slope
Built-up area: 54,000 sqm IIM B complex
Site Area: 100 acres
Project Year: 1971
ORIENTATION
The building is orientated roughly in Northeast-Southwest direction.
FORM
The campus is based on the design of the town of Fatehpur Sikri, laid
out by Akbar in the 16th
The vision was to create a link of networks of corridors, courtyards
and external spaces allowing for future extensions.
The places of garden in the plan of Fatehpur Sikri were the places of
courtyard in IIMB. This led to the formation of 'Glocal, i.e., Instead of
courtyards that are dry and rigid, green corridors were made which
allowed for academic exchanges to be carried beyond the classroom.
THE STRUCTURE
-The main aim was to create atmosphere that is not just divides
and doors.
-The building includes external spaces that create and interlink between
the indoor classrooms to the external environment.
-Sun path diagram was taken into good analysis to build up the spaces
including the vaastu, shashtra for planning.
-The interplay of walls and openings, light and shadows, and solids and
voids change the character of the main building during different times of
the day and during different seasons
THE GREEN
The building is designed in a way to conserve energy human or mechanical
optimizes technology, incorporating various ways for greenery.
Landscaping along the wall helps maintain the internal temperature to be
cooler by providing shade and the moisture content they have in itself.
The focus has been kept on providing maximum green spaces as possible.
Double Wall
-The concept of double wall has been incorporated in some places.
-The semi-open comidor serves the purpose of light, a jaali as well as a
walkway, thereby reducing heat gain by the air movement throughout.
-The glass wall doesn't gain much heat due to the plantation provided in
between.
SKYLIGHT
Natural illuminance is achieved due to provision of skylights and semi-
opened areas.
Three-storied hallways, open quadrangles with ample area for greenery,
sunlight streaming in through pergolas, geometrical
MATERIALS USED
Exposed concrete
Lattices
Frames
Rough blocks of local Grey Granite
Brick work for columns
Other locally available materials
Rough finish textured materials
SITE ZONING
Site is divided into two halves:
-Northern for staff housing
-Southern for educational block
Educational block includes administrative and library block and dormitory
spaces to southern side
The library cum computer center is the focal point of the academic complex.
Faculty blocks are three storied and classrooms are arranged in clusters around
a central open space
REFERENCES
[Link]
[Link]
morphogenesis
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[Link]
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jaipur
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of-management-bangalore-by-b-v-doshi-reflection-of-the-cit
y/#c943680703a226d906cac08e3367ebdbae3c338c#199563
[Link]
study?id=1950
Conclusion
The comparison between Pearl Academy and IIM Bangalore highlights
how both institutes successfully apply climate-responsive and passive
design strategies suited for hot and dry climates, yet each adopts a
distinct architectural approach. Pearl Academy emphasizes an organic,
vernacular, and locally rooted design, using techniques such as
courtyards, stepwells, jaals, evaporative cooling, and extensive local
materials. This creates a building deeply connected to traditional
cooling methods and regional identity.
On the other hand, IIM Bangalore follows a more formal, rectilinear, and
monumental planning approach inspired by Fatehpur Sikri, with strong
use of exposed concrete, granite, skylights, double-heighted spaces,
and landscaped voids. Instead of relying purely on traditional
techniques, it integrates passive strategies through green spaces,
ventilation voids, and daylighting systems to enhance comfort and
reduce energy consumption.
While Pearl Academy excels in vernacular expression, local material
usage, environmental sensitivity, and cultural revival, it faces issues
such as privacy, shading gaps, and parking limitations. Conversely, IIM
Bangalore offers better spatial organization, ventilation, and large-
scale greenery, but its reliance on concrete framing and limited use of
local materials affects thermal performance and aesthetic warmth.
