CLIMATE RESPONSIVE SHELTER FOR WARM-HUMID CLIMATE

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NATURE OF THE CLIMATE
Warm humid climate is characterized by high rainfall and high humidity. Most prominent characters of this climate are hot, sticky conditions with continual presence of dampness. The temperature conditions of the atmosphere ranges from 210c to 320c.the temperature difference between the atmospheric zones are very low.as a result, in these climatic zones, winds are very light and sometimes they are non-existent. However, heavy precipitations and storms are observed in these zones. Solar radiation is diffused and highly intense.
Temperature outside will be almost same as the body temperature, which results very less heat loss from body via convection and conduction. Humidity is high throughout the season. Heavy clouds and water vapour diffuse sunrays and at the same time prevent reradiation from earth in the night time.



PHYSIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES:
Bodily heat loss is less as the surrounding temperature is very near to that of body’s. to achieve physical comfort there must be a medium to dissipate the heat from body. Evaporation is prevented due to the moisture present in the atmosphere. The comfort can be achieved by effective movement of air which helps in vaporization and thereby it provides a degree of comfort.



FORM AND PLANNING
The planning is characterized dominantly by openings and shading devices. As the only relief from the climatic condition is from wind movement, the building will have to open up for breezes and winds. Building must be oriented to catch more wind and less radiation. Failing this will results an indoor climate always warmer than the outdoor.
These buildings tend to have spread out plans and cross ventilation. Spread plan helps to direct the wind properly without resistance. Cross ventilation is helpful as the wind pattern is directional. If several rows of buildings follow, the cross ventilation helps in the air movement through each of the buildings.



EXTERNAL SPACES
Shading and free passage of air are the two basic requirements.Trees and planting can be relied on for shading, as plants carry full foliage throughout the year. Rarely will a structure be built to provide shade to an open space, but pergolas and light framing structures can be very effective. Open spaces left under buildings elevated on stilts can also be put to use as shaded outdoor spaces.
It is difficult to provide privacy as well as allowing for passages of air, but various systems of paling fences and screen walls has been devised which do not permit direct view but allow the breeze to penetrate. Most of these consist of louvered timber boards or some overlapping arrangements of boards or planks. These also reduce the air velocity quite substantially.