- Email: [email protected]
Process of design for sustainable architecture and contemporary solutions
PERGAMON
Renewabk
Energy
I5 (1998) 407412
PROCESS OF DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND CONTEMPORARY SOLUTIONS
Prof. Dr. Arvind KRISHAN Professor & Associate Head of Department Kunal JAIN, Pashim TEWARI Research Associates Department of Architecture & Centre for Advanced Studies in Architecture School of Planning & Architecture, 6-B, I.P. Estate, New Delhi 110002, India Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Building is the end product of a design decision making process that starts at the board of an architect. Therefore, in order to make this process responsive to ecological context, which is the theme of this paper, the process must become scientific. The process presented in this paper developes a logical approach based on quantitative assessment leading to qualitative design decisions. A design tool, enabling decision making both at the conceptual and final stages of design, is developed and presented as a decision making matrix. Following the process, contemporary solutions in the form of designs for some projects designed by the author are presented. This approach is by no means inhibiting to architectural creativity and expression. 0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
1.0
PREAMBLE
The process of architectural design is a complex exercise, involving interactive relationships between parameters of diverse nature and varying magnitude. Yet it is the prime generator of architecture as we see and experience. It exercises control on both teaching and practice of the profession. 0960-1481/98/S-see front matter PII: SO960-1481(98)00196-7
0
1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
WREC 1998
408
2.0
PROCESS OF DESIGN
The process of design is an interactive network of various parameters development. It may graphically be expressed as:
and stages of
Figure I: Graphical Representation of the Process of Design. 3.0
HISTORICITY
Historically
the process may be articulated
as follows:
Indigenous Architecture PERIOD I : Beginning
> A process of trial and error Figure 2: Adolf Loos: the
The “ Raum Plan “ 1930
PERIOD II: 1890
Raumplan Concept. (19X/27)
The Space Within Heroic period and “modem movement” PERIOD III: 1930 Architecture as an object Facade & Urban Space Network PERIOD Iv: 1950
1980 Historicism and functionalism in conflict Integration between composition & technology
PERIOD V: 1980
>
Angolan Consulate: facade as interface between building and urban space. Q-zz
&A-J=@
3
Architecture and regionalism Various ideas have dominated architectural thought in this century, yet the fundamental issue of energy as an embodiment of Sun, Wind and Light - the ecological basis has not
Figure 4: Robert Venturi: the facade as decorative
been a basic paradigm of design.
shed.
409
WREC 1998
4.0
CLIMATICALLY
RESPONSIVE
PROCESS OF DESIGN
The relationship between built form and the environment is the driving force behind this process, based on a scientific methodology. The tools of analysis available, allow critical analysis and evaluation of performance of built and un-built space network. Therefore, it seems logical to develop a process almost in the form of an algorithm which will help find the optimal solution / form for a given set of parameters and constraints. Evidently based on a design hypothesis it is possible to generate a set of solutions through this process / algorithm. From this set of solutions the optimal solution can be arrived at. -6v .c\
Fig. 5 Ecological process of design
A process for sustainable architecture based on a leanerised approach (Fig.5) leading to a design decision making matirx will be presented in this paper. 5.0 CONTEMPORARY
SOLUTIONS
Following the process of design - the design decision making matrix and principles of design elicited from indigenous architecture, three projects (climate responsive designs) as contemporary solutions leading to sustainable architecture are presented: 5.1 Degree College Leh, India Located at Leh (Latitude 34OO9”N) at an altitude of 3514 M above M.S.L. in the ‘upper’ Himalayas, Degree College Complex has been designed and built in a Cold & Dry climate zone with a large number of sunny days. Whereas, the climate context for designof buildings in the upper Himalayas requires buildings to be heated almost through out the year (although this requirement becomes severe in the long winters in Leh), it does not impose conflicting design requirements as a composite climate context does. However, the challenge is to develope site specific design i.e. respond to the changing geo-topographical conditions and harness solar energy to maximise solar heat gain, ventilate the building well for summer period (although short) and distribute daylight well.
WREC 1998
Figure 6: Site plan of Degree College, Leh
(.
L
----+__~__~_r
_*
..-._
Figure 7: Section through a lecture theatre showing light distribution system.
Figure 8 Plan of the Hostel Block.
This has been achieved through architectural design. Lecture theaters, Laboratories and Library in the Academic block have been designed with the building section optimising both heat and daylight penetration. While heat gain is maximised, its absorption in the judiciously designed thermal mass, provides heat in the spaces over the diurnal cycle. Air heating panels designed as an integral part of the southern wall provide heat gain through a close connvective loop. Well insulated and minimum fenestration (only in toilets) on northern exposure prevents heat loss. Infiltration losses are rninimised through weather proofing, i.e. with no thermal bridges, wooden joinery. Double glazing helps control heat loss from glazing without creating condensation. Since solar heat gain may raise the internal ambient temperature (as per simulation prediction) above comfort range in summers, ventilation is a very effective strategy to dissipate heat. To optimize ventilation, the connvective loop is coupled with eastern / western fenestration.
WREC 1998
411
5.2 Punjab Energy Development Agency Oftice, Chandigarb
Fig. II: Sectional Perspective Punjab Energy Development Agency, building
Located in Chandigarh (Latitude 30°45”N) on a practically square site that lies on flat land with no major topo-graphical variations. Chandigarh as a city lies on the planes at the foot of the ‘Lower Himalayas’, in a composite climate with climatic swings over the year i.e. very hot dry period for almost two and a half months (Max. DBT 44OC) and quite cold period of a shorter duration (Min. DBT 3OC). The hot dry period is followed by a hot humid monsoon period of about wo months (Max. DBT 38’C & Max. RH 90%), with intervening periods of milder climate. The demand on building design, therefore is to respond to the extremes i.e. eliminate (minimise) heat gain in hot-dry period, maximise ventilation in hot humid period from zones / areas designed as heat sinks and maximise heat gain in cold period. Equally important, for Chandigarh is the context in space and time. Chandigarh a bold experiment in city planning and architecture was based on the professed ethos of design: build with climate. Le Corbusier put into practice his theory on “Brise Soleil”. While the major buildings of the ‘Capitol Complex’ extensively employed “Brise Soleil”, in its various form and application, many residences designed by Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew made the sun shading devices as a major element of design and expression. Yet, in its application both the method and ‘device’ lack a scientific basis, many times a repetitive use on buildings ir-respective of orientation and with use of similar devices on different facade belie the claim. Within the context of the bold experiment that is Chandigarh, the PEDA building has been designed with an ethos: design with nature. The physical context although unique in itself - that is urbanity of Chandigarh - offers yet another challenge for design. Can a building be designed based on a scientific process of design that responds to the ecological context and yet does not violate the urbanity of Chandigarh and its urban palette i.e. the material, texture and colour ? - that is the professional challenge unparalleled, to which we have addressed ourselves to. While the three dimensional form of the building has been developed in response to solar geometry i.e. minimising solar heat gain in hot-dry period and maximising solar heat gain in cold period, the scale and form of the building responds to its urban context as well. To achieve a climate responsive building, an innovative concept developed. In place of the ‘central loaded corridor’ plan stacked on floors - which has become virtualy the generic form for an office, overlapping floor modules at different levels in space, floating in
in architectural design has ben top of each other to make various the PEDA building is a series of a large volume of air, with inter-
412
WREC
1998
penetrating large vertical cut-outs. These vertical cut-outs are integerated with light wells and solar activated naturaly ventilating domical structures. This sytem of floating slabs and the interpenetrating vertical cut-outs is then enclosed within the envelope of the building. The envelope attentuates the outside ambient conditions. 5.3 Hill Council Complex, Leh
Figure I2:
Ground floor plan of Hill Council Complex, Leh.
FiRwe 13 (above).
Section through the Office Block.
Fqure 14(rightl: View of the Assembly Hall dome. Located at Leh (Latitude 34O09”N)at an altitude of 35 14 M above M.S.L. in the ‘upper’ Himalayas. Hill Council Complex has been designed and built in a Cold Dry climate zone with a large number of sunny days. Whereas, the climate context for design of buildings in the upper Himalayas requires buildings to be heated through out the year (although this requirement becomes severe in long winters), it does not impose conflicting design requirements as a composite climate context does. The demand on the building therefore is heating for almost through out the year, good ventilation during summer and good daylight distribution throughout the year. This has been achieved in this building essentially through architectural design. Hill council hall, Office block and Conference facilities have been designed with the building section optimising both heat and daylight penetration.
Renewabk
Energy
I5 (1998) 407412
PROCESS OF DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND CONTEMPORARY SOLUTIONS
Prof. Dr. Arvind KRISHAN Professor & Associate Head of Department Kunal JAIN, Pashim TEWARI Research Associates Department of Architecture & Centre for Advanced Studies in Architecture School of Planning & Architecture, 6-B, I.P. Estate, New Delhi 110002, India Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT Building is the end product of a design decision making process that starts at the board of an architect. Therefore, in order to make this process responsive to ecological context, which is the theme of this paper, the process must become scientific. The process presented in this paper developes a logical approach based on quantitative assessment leading to qualitative design decisions. A design tool, enabling decision making both at the conceptual and final stages of design, is developed and presented as a decision making matrix. Following the process, contemporary solutions in the form of designs for some projects designed by the author are presented. This approach is by no means inhibiting to architectural creativity and expression. 0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
1.0
PREAMBLE
The process of architectural design is a complex exercise, involving interactive relationships between parameters of diverse nature and varying magnitude. Yet it is the prime generator of architecture as we see and experience. It exercises control on both teaching and practice of the profession. 0960-1481/98/S-see front matter PII: SO960-1481(98)00196-7
0
1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
WREC 1998
408
2.0
PROCESS OF DESIGN
The process of design is an interactive network of various parameters development. It may graphically be expressed as:
and stages of
Figure I: Graphical Representation of the Process of Design. 3.0
HISTORICITY
Historically
the process may be articulated
as follows:
Indigenous Architecture PERIOD I : Beginning
> A process of trial and error Figure 2: Adolf Loos: the
The “ Raum Plan “ 1930
PERIOD II: 1890
Raumplan Concept. (19X/27)
The Space Within Heroic period and “modem movement” PERIOD III: 1930 Architecture as an object Facade & Urban Space Network PERIOD Iv: 1950
1980 Historicism and functionalism in conflict Integration between composition & technology
PERIOD V: 1980
>
Angolan Consulate: facade as interface between building and urban space. Q-zz
&A-J=@
3
Architecture and regionalism Various ideas have dominated architectural thought in this century, yet the fundamental issue of energy as an embodiment of Sun, Wind and Light - the ecological basis has not
Figure 4: Robert Venturi: the facade as decorative
been a basic paradigm of design.
shed.
409
WREC 1998
4.0
CLIMATICALLY
RESPONSIVE
PROCESS OF DESIGN
The relationship between built form and the environment is the driving force behind this process, based on a scientific methodology. The tools of analysis available, allow critical analysis and evaluation of performance of built and un-built space network. Therefore, it seems logical to develop a process almost in the form of an algorithm which will help find the optimal solution / form for a given set of parameters and constraints. Evidently based on a design hypothesis it is possible to generate a set of solutions through this process / algorithm. From this set of solutions the optimal solution can be arrived at. -6v .c\
Fig. 5 Ecological process of design
A process for sustainable architecture based on a leanerised approach (Fig.5) leading to a design decision making matirx will be presented in this paper. 5.0 CONTEMPORARY
SOLUTIONS
Following the process of design - the design decision making matrix and principles of design elicited from indigenous architecture, three projects (climate responsive designs) as contemporary solutions leading to sustainable architecture are presented: 5.1 Degree College Leh, India Located at Leh (Latitude 34OO9”N) at an altitude of 3514 M above M.S.L. in the ‘upper’ Himalayas, Degree College Complex has been designed and built in a Cold & Dry climate zone with a large number of sunny days. Whereas, the climate context for designof buildings in the upper Himalayas requires buildings to be heated almost through out the year (although this requirement becomes severe in the long winters in Leh), it does not impose conflicting design requirements as a composite climate context does. However, the challenge is to develope site specific design i.e. respond to the changing geo-topographical conditions and harness solar energy to maximise solar heat gain, ventilate the building well for summer period (although short) and distribute daylight well.
WREC 1998
Figure 6: Site plan of Degree College, Leh
(.
L
----+__~__~_r
_*
..-._
Figure 7: Section through a lecture theatre showing light distribution system.
Figure 8 Plan of the Hostel Block.
This has been achieved through architectural design. Lecture theaters, Laboratories and Library in the Academic block have been designed with the building section optimising both heat and daylight penetration. While heat gain is maximised, its absorption in the judiciously designed thermal mass, provides heat in the spaces over the diurnal cycle. Air heating panels designed as an integral part of the southern wall provide heat gain through a close connvective loop. Well insulated and minimum fenestration (only in toilets) on northern exposure prevents heat loss. Infiltration losses are rninimised through weather proofing, i.e. with no thermal bridges, wooden joinery. Double glazing helps control heat loss from glazing without creating condensation. Since solar heat gain may raise the internal ambient temperature (as per simulation prediction) above comfort range in summers, ventilation is a very effective strategy to dissipate heat. To optimize ventilation, the connvective loop is coupled with eastern / western fenestration.
WREC 1998
411
5.2 Punjab Energy Development Agency Oftice, Chandigarb
Fig. II: Sectional Perspective Punjab Energy Development Agency, building
Located in Chandigarh (Latitude 30°45”N) on a practically square site that lies on flat land with no major topo-graphical variations. Chandigarh as a city lies on the planes at the foot of the ‘Lower Himalayas’, in a composite climate with climatic swings over the year i.e. very hot dry period for almost two and a half months (Max. DBT 44OC) and quite cold period of a shorter duration (Min. DBT 3OC). The hot dry period is followed by a hot humid monsoon period of about wo months (Max. DBT 38’C & Max. RH 90%), with intervening periods of milder climate. The demand on building design, therefore is to respond to the extremes i.e. eliminate (minimise) heat gain in hot-dry period, maximise ventilation in hot humid period from zones / areas designed as heat sinks and maximise heat gain in cold period. Equally important, for Chandigarh is the context in space and time. Chandigarh a bold experiment in city planning and architecture was based on the professed ethos of design: build with climate. Le Corbusier put into practice his theory on “Brise Soleil”. While the major buildings of the ‘Capitol Complex’ extensively employed “Brise Soleil”, in its various form and application, many residences designed by Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew made the sun shading devices as a major element of design and expression. Yet, in its application both the method and ‘device’ lack a scientific basis, many times a repetitive use on buildings ir-respective of orientation and with use of similar devices on different facade belie the claim. Within the context of the bold experiment that is Chandigarh, the PEDA building has been designed with an ethos: design with nature. The physical context although unique in itself - that is urbanity of Chandigarh - offers yet another challenge for design. Can a building be designed based on a scientific process of design that responds to the ecological context and yet does not violate the urbanity of Chandigarh and its urban palette i.e. the material, texture and colour ? - that is the professional challenge unparalleled, to which we have addressed ourselves to. While the three dimensional form of the building has been developed in response to solar geometry i.e. minimising solar heat gain in hot-dry period and maximising solar heat gain in cold period, the scale and form of the building responds to its urban context as well. To achieve a climate responsive building, an innovative concept developed. In place of the ‘central loaded corridor’ plan stacked on floors - which has become virtualy the generic form for an office, overlapping floor modules at different levels in space, floating in
in architectural design has ben top of each other to make various the PEDA building is a series of a large volume of air, with inter-
412
WREC
1998
penetrating large vertical cut-outs. These vertical cut-outs are integerated with light wells and solar activated naturaly ventilating domical structures. This sytem of floating slabs and the interpenetrating vertical cut-outs is then enclosed within the envelope of the building. The envelope attentuates the outside ambient conditions. 5.3 Hill Council Complex, Leh
Figure I2:
Ground floor plan of Hill Council Complex, Leh.
FiRwe 13 (above).
Section through the Office Block.
Fqure 14(rightl: View of the Assembly Hall dome. Located at Leh (Latitude 34O09”N)at an altitude of 35 14 M above M.S.L. in the ‘upper’ Himalayas. Hill Council Complex has been designed and built in a Cold Dry climate zone with a large number of sunny days. Whereas, the climate context for design of buildings in the upper Himalayas requires buildings to be heated through out the year (although this requirement becomes severe in long winters), it does not impose conflicting design requirements as a composite climate context does. The demand on the building therefore is heating for almost through out the year, good ventilation during summer and good daylight distribution throughout the year. This has been achieved in this building essentially through architectural design. Hill council hall, Office block and Conference facilities have been designed with the building section optimising both heat and daylight penetration.