CLIMATOLOGY

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR COLD CLIMATE

COLD CLIMATEThe cold climate is October through march in

northern hemisphere and April through September in southern hemisphere.

Regions that falls under cold climate experience very cold winters.

The temperature ranges from 20-30’c in summer and -3 to -8’c in winters.

The main objectives of building design in cold zones

are:

1.Resisting heat loss2.Promoting heat gain

Resisting heat loss• Decrease the exposed surface area of the

building.• Using materials that heat up fast but release

heat slowly• Providing buffer space between the living area

and the outside• Decreasing the rate of ventilation inside the

building.

Promoting heat gain • Avoiding excess shading.

• Utilizing the heat from applications.• Trapping the heat from the

sun.

Technique in building constructio

n

Sun path

In cold climate, the heat gain is desirable. Hence building should be located on the south slope of a hill or mountain for better access to solar radiation.

Trap maximum heat from sun

Trap maximum heat from sun

Building arrangement

If the buildings are clustered, then the cold wind movement can be reduced.

Open space between buildings should be treated with reflective surface so that the Day radiation reflect into the building

Building arrangementThe street should be wide

enough to ensure that building on one side should not shade those on the other side.

The street orientation should be east-west to allow for maximum south sun to enter the building.

Orientation and plan form• Window should face south to facilitate direct gain of

sun heat.• The north side of the building should be well

insulated. • Living room can be located on the south side while the

utility and store room can be located on north side.• Air-lock lobbies can be used in entry and exit points of

the building• Heat generated by applications in room such as

kitchen may be used to heat the other parts of the buildings.

ROOF• False ceiling with internal insulation such as

polyurethane foam(PUF), thermocol, wood wool, etc are used for houses in cold climate

ROOF• Aluminum foil is used in-between the

insulation layer and roof to reduce heat loss through ceiling.

ROOF• A sufficiently sloping roof with skylight

enables to drain water and snow and allow sun radiation to enter the building during day.

WALLS

• The wall should be made of materials which lose heat slowly.

• The walls can be of concrete blocks as they store heat for a longer time.

• South facing walls should be of high thermal capacity.

• North side walls should be cavity wall construction.

WINDOW• Maximum window area on the southern side of the

building to facilitate direct heat gain.• The window should be double glazed to avoid heat

loss during night.• Shades can be used to avoid overheating during

summer.

Color

• The color of the building should be dark to absorb more heat from the sun.

Sun space

Trombe wall

CASE STUDY

Degree college and hill council, Leh, India

Located in Leh, in upper Himalayas, the degree college and hill council have been built within a cold and dry climate. The building required to be heated almost throughout the year. It

has long winter from October to April .

Lecture hall

South side building view

North side building view