The Concept of Bioclimatic Architecture

-The Concept of Bioclimatic Architecture
T he first rule of bioclimatic architecture is to take advantage of local bioclimatic conditions with
the benefit of the natural and built environment. That approach should always be based on
multidisciplinary in-depth research of individual circumstances: from the specifics of the
ecosystem through cultural factors up to economic analysis. In final effect safe and comfortable buildings
which are created do not harm the environment but contribute to its health and enriched biodiversity.
 ventilation
Hot Areas
Observation of vernacular dwellings continuously brings about the opportunity to “study the application
of passive techniques that are integral constituents of the buildings’ architecture and the inhabitants’
lifestyle”. In hot climates the most obvious factor of the building’s adaptation to the local conditions is
the efficient cooling, which is usually based on natural ventilation and the use of water. Overhanging
roofs, louvers, trees or other shading elements help to reduce thermal load of the façade. Thermal
massing as well as various insulation systems are also used in hot regions to protect against overheating
during the day and gradually release the stored heat during the night. Among passive cooling systems
based on natural ventilation and commonly applied in different parts of the world 3 basic methods can
be distinguished:
1. Cross ventilation based on the pressure difference across the building (Fig. 1a).
2. Chimney ventilation based on the stack effect under pressure caused by the rising hot air (Fig.
1b).
3. Wind towers and wind catchers are based on overpressure and under pressure (Fig. 1c).
On the basis of these three simplest solutions some local modifications were developed:
1. Cross ventilation combined with elevated floor and cooling radiation from the ground in hot and
humid regions (Fig. 2).
2. Cross ventilation combined with stilt structures and evaporating cooling from water surface in
hot and humid regions located near water reservoirs (Fig. 3).
3. Chimney ventilation combined

with passive evaporating cooling
in hot and dry regions (Fig. 4). The
sad fact is that regardless all the
natural cooling techniques
developed in the past, today plant
air conditioning systems are
widespread worldwide and
commonly used both in private
and in public spaces, especially in
offices, shops, administration and
transportation facilities etc. These
methods are not only expensive
and consume large amounts of
electricity but also have negative
impact both on human health
and the environment.
Cold Area
In colder regions proper natural ventilation and effective cooling during warm summer days are
also important but some other issues are at the center of attention. These are connected with
heating, especially during the cold period of the year. The main passive strategies that are
traditionally used in purpose to provide indoor thermal comfort in temperate and colder climate
zones are thermal massing and sufficient insulation (Fig. 5). That results with thick, massive
walls, roofs and floors. These elements store heat during the day and release it during the night.
In the northern hemisphere the number of openings in the northern side of the building is
reduced. Only small windows are located in well insulated northern facade to provide some
daylighting while avoiding the heat lost.
Big, glazed openings are usually situated on the southern part of a dwelling to allow for passive
solar heating in winter which contributes to significant energy savings. The same solution affects
positively the interiors insolation during winter, which is a critical issue for the user well-being at
temperate and higher latitudes
SIEEB
The building is located within the Tsinghua

University Campus in Beijing. SIEEB is the seat
of Sino-Italian, research and education center
for environmental protection and energy
conservation. It is situated on the plot 60 × 60
meters, it is 40 meters high and provides
20.000 m2 of floor area. The edifice houses
offices, lecture rooms, auditorium with 200
seats and recreational green zones.
Architectural concept of SIEEB is based on the

studies of local climate conditions including
sun angle in summer and winter, dominating
wind directions, temperature and humidity.
Computer simulations were carried out in purpose to assess the building performance in dependence to
its orientation, shape, structure, envelope etc.
Also various technological solutions were

analyzed to provide an equilibrium between
expected energy efficiency, functional demands,
indoor comfort and esthetics. Lowest
environmental impact and especially minimum
CO2 emissions were of utmost importance. The
authors of the project compare the SIEEB to the
leaf, as “[…] the building uses and transforms
solar light into energy” [19]. In fact the
combination of passive and active strategies,
controlled by the Building Management System (BMS),

allowed for the optimization of the building
performance with the minimal energy consumption
(Fig. 7). Following the research results SIEEB was
designed as a U-shaped structure, maximally opened to
the south and protected from the north. The whole
idea was oriented towards reduction of energy
demands for cooling in summer and heating in winter.
Southern façade has pilled-up, openwork form to
provide air and sunlight penetration into the internal
areas of the edifice. Glazed elevation is shaded by
cantilevered structural elements, extended to the south
to prevent excessive solar radiation (Fig. 8). Additional
protection is achieved by properly chosen angle of

photovoltaic panels as well as by deciduous plants
overheating from the upper floors. Thus obtained
shaded terraces offer attractive green spaces for
the building users. However, the most pleasant
recreational areas are situated in the central
courtyard at the base of the building. Especially
designed landscape is composed of multilevel
gardens and water ponds. Rainwater collected on
the roof is stored in rainwater tank below the
ground level, treated in water recovery unit and
used for irrigation as well as for supply ponds and
water cascades. Evaporating water combined with
cross ventilation provides excellent ambient
cooling. Chimney effect supports natural
ventilation while green plants contribute to
increase the amount of oxygen in the air (Fig. 9).

The Concept of Bioclimatic Architecture

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-The Concept of Bioclimatic Architecture

3. Chimney ventilation combined

The building is located within the Tsinghua

Architectural concept of SIEEB is based on the

Also various technological solutions were

controlled by the Building Management System (BMS),

protection is achieved by properly chosen angle of

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