TROPICAL

CLIMATIC ZONES
OF INDIA
 CLASSIFICATION OF TROPICAL
CLIMATIC ZONES
THE MAJOR CLIMATIC ZONES IN INDIA ARE
CLASSIFIED INTO:
1.WARM-HUMID
2.HOT-DRY
3.COMPOSITE
4.TEMPERATE
5.COLD
WARM-HUMID
CLIMATE
WARM-HUMID
MAJOR CITIES HAVING
THIS CLIMATE 1. Kerala
2. Tamil
Nadu
▪COSTAL 3. Karnataka
4.Goa
AREAS IN 5.Andhra
Pradesh

SOUTH 6.Gujarat
7.Maharashtr

INDIA AND a 8. Orissa

9.West

HILLY Bengal
10.Mizoram
11.Manipur
AREAS IN 12.Nagaland
13.Assam
NORTH EAST 14.Meghalay
15.Tripura

COMES 16.Arunachal
Pradesh 

UNDER THIS
REGION.
▪MAJOR
CHARACTERISITCS

• Warm and Humid

climate is
characterized by high
relative humidity,
around 70-90 %, and
high precipitation
levels, about 1200
mm per year.
• The temperatures
usually vary between
25–35 ºC in
summers; while in
winters, temperatures
vary between 20–30
 MAIN DESIGN OBJECTIVES
DONEC QUIS NUNC

Resisting heat
gain:
Measures that are
convenient to avoid heat
gain are:
(a)Decreasing surface area
of the building exposed to
the outside.
(b)Using materials that
take a longer time to heat.
(c)Providing buffer spaces
 DESIGN/ PLANNING CONCEPTS
DONEC QUIS NUNC

Promoting heat loss: To promote heat

lost it is essential to ensure:

• (a) Building is well ventilated.

• (b) Proper ventilation occurs

throughout the day.

• (c) Humidity levels are reduced as

much as possible.
 DESIGN PLANNING/CONCEPTS
DONEC QUIS NUNC

Natural cross ventilation to take

advantage of air velocity in getting
comfort, and solar protection, are the
main design criteria traditionally
proposed for warm humid climate.

Usually, priority is given to natural

ventilation related to design
decisions, such as orientation and
windows(size, location and type).
However, the wind is the most
variable climatic factor, also affected
by the urban context, the
architectural shape and even,
opening and closing windows and
doors.

On the other hand, to achieve

comfort in some warm humid
climatic conditions, according to
traditionalcriteria, high indoor air
 BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• 1.BUILDINGS SHOULD BE
SPREAD OUT WITH LARGE
OPEN SPACES IN BETWEEN
FOR UNRESTRICTED AIR
MOVEMENT.
• 2. CROSS VENTILATION
ISVERY IMPORTANT.
LARGE OPENINGS TO
UNOBSTRUCT AIR PATH
ANDTO ENSURE PROPER
VENTILATION.
• 3.THE OPENINGS SHOULD
BE SHADED BY EXTERNAL
OVERHANGS.
• 4 .OUTLETS AT HIGHER
LEVELS TO VENT HOT AIR.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUILDING
DONEC QUIS NUNC
DESIGN
Site:
(a)Landform: • For
flat sites, design
consideration for the
landform is immaterial.
• In case of slopes and
depressions, the
building should be
located on the wind
ward side or crests to
take advantage of cool
breezes.
 DONEC QUIS NUNC

• b) Waterbodies:
• Waterbodies are not essential as
they would tend to further increase
the humidity.

(c) Street
width and
orientation:
• Major streets should be oriented
parallel to or within 30 of the
prevailing wind direction during
summer months to encourage
ventilation in warm and humid
regions.

• A north-south direction is ideal

from the point of view of blocking
solar radiation.

• The width of the streets should be

such that the intense solar radiation
 DONEC QUIS NUNC

(C) Open spaces and

built form:
• Buildings should be spread out with
large open spaces in between for
unrestricted air movement.

• In cities, buildings on stilts can

promote ventilation and cause cooling at
the ground level.

(d) Orientation and

planform:
• As the temperatures are very high, free
plans and can be evolved as long as the
house is under protective shade.

• An unobstructed air path through the

interiors is important to ensure proper
ventilation.
 DONEC QUIS NUNC

• Heat and moisture producing areas

like toilets and kitchens must be
ventilated and separated from the
rest of the structure. Semi open
spaces such as balconies,
verandahs and porches can be
used advantageously for day time
activities as well as give
protection from rainfall.

• • In buildings a central courtyard

can be provided with vents at
higher levels to draw away the
rising hot air.

WINDOW AT HIGH LEVEL TO

VENT AIR
 DONEC QUIS NUNC

• Building envelope:
• (a)Roof: In addition to providing
shelter from rain and heat, the
form of the roof should be planned
to promote airflow. Vents at the
rooftop effectively induce
ventilation and draw hot air out.

• The openings should be shaded by

external overhangs. Outlets at
higher levels serve to vent hot air.
 DONEC QUIS NUNC

d) Colour and Texture:

• The walls should be pasted with
light pastel shades or white washed
while the surface of the roof can be
of broken glazed tile (china mosaic
flooring) to reflect the sunlight back
to the environment, and hence reduce
heat gain of the building.

• The use of appropriate colours and

surface finishes is a cheap and very
effective technique to lower indoor
China mo
temperatures.

• The surface finished should be

protected from/resistant to the effects
of moisture.
HOT AND DRY
ZONE
 MAJOR CITIESDONEC
HAVING THIS CLIMATE
QUIS NUNC

• HOT AND DRY TYPE OF

CLIMATE PREVAILS AROUND
15 DEGREE FROM EQUATOR
IN THE NORTHERN
HEMISPHERE AND 30
DEGREES FROM EQUATOR IN
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

• IN INDIA THIS TYPE OF

CLIMATE CAN BE
EXPERIENCED IN
RAJASTHAN, GUJRAT ,
MAHARASHTRA AND SOME
PARTS OF MADHYA PRADESH
AND KARNATAKA ALSO .
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOT AND DRY CLIMATE
TEMPERATURE DONEC QUIS NUNC

TEMPERATURE
• IN THIS TYPE OF CLIMATE TEMPERATURE IS
USUALLY VERY HOT.
• IT CAN VERY EASILY GO UPTO 50* AND EVEN
MORE IN SUMMERS. THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN
DAY AND NIGHT TEMPERATURE IS VERY HIGH
(15 TO 20 DEGREE CELSIES). RAYS.
HUMIDITY
• HUMIDITY IS VERY LOW. IT GENERALLY
VARIES BETWEEN 10 TO 50 PERCENTAGE.
• AS THE AIR IS TOTALLY HOT & DRY IN THIS
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOT AND DRY CLIMATE
TEMPERATURE DONEC QUIS NUNC

SKY CONDITIONS
• SKY IS NORMALLY CLEAR AND BLUE IN THIS
TYPE OF CLIMATE. • SOME TIMES DUST STORMS
FILL COMPLETE SKY.
• THESE DUSTY SKIES CREATE UNBERABLE
GLARE.

SOLAR RADIATIONS
• SOLAR RADIATIONS ARE DIRECT AND STRONG
DURING DAY TIMES. AND THESE OFTEN
ESCAPES INTO OPEN CLEAR SKIES DURING
NIGHTS.
 MAIN DESIGN OBJECTIVES
DONEC QUIS NUNC

The architecture
that has developed
in arid zones have
had consistent and
deep-rooted
building
techniques which
promote passive
climatic
conditioning of
 DESIGN PLANNING/CONCEPT
DONEC QUIS NUNC
ORIENTATION
NORTH –SOUTH ORIENTATION BEST SUITS FOR
THIS TYPE OF CLIMATE AS IT PROTECTS FROM
MORNING AND EVENING SOLAR RADIATIONS. 2.
APART FROM THIS LOCAL SITE CONDITIONS AND
ITS SURROUNDINGS ALSO PLAYS MAJOR ROLE IN
DECIDING ORIENTATION . 3. BEDROOMS SHOULD
BE ORIENTED TO RECEIVE COOL NIGHT AIR.
PLANS
1. COMPACT PLANS ARE PREFFERED AS THESE
WILL EXPOSE MINIMUM SURFACE TO HARSH
SOLAR RADIATIONS.
2. DEEPER ROOMS ARE BETTER AGAINST HOT
 BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• Appropriate orientation and shape

of building.

• Insulation of building envelope.

Massive structure.

• Air locks, lobbies, balconies, and

verandas.

• Weather stripping and scheduling

air changes.

• External surfaces protected by

overhangs, fins, and trees.

• Pale colours and glazed china

mosaic tiles.

• Windows and exhausts.

• Courtyards, wind towers,and

arrangement of openings.
 GENERAL RECOMMENDATION FOR BUILDING
DONEC QUIS NUNC
DESIGN
1. Detailing building fenestration design and
construction details to promote shading, heat loss and
insulation.
2. Larger building dimensions should face north &
south.
3. Double walls with insulation in between are a suitable
solution
4. The size of the windows on the east and west sides
should be minimized in order to reduce heat gain
5. The flat roof is a good reflector and re-radiates heat
efficiently, especially if it consists of a solid, white
painted material.
6. The courtyard is provided with water and plants, it
acts as a cooling source.
7. Internal courtyards provide cross ventilation and
natural cooling.
8. Inlets to be provided at lower levels and outlets at a
higher level as they serve to vent the hot air.
9. Suitable radiation barriers in the form of canopies,
chajjas, and long verandahs should be provided on the
west side of the building.
COMPOSITE ZONE
 MAJOR CITIES HAVING THIS CLIMATE
DONEC QUIS NUNC
The composite zone covers the central part of India. Some cities
that experience this type of climate are New Delhi, Kanpur and Allahabad.

• CHARACTERSTI
CS
TEMPERATURE ;
-IN SUMMER ,32-43 DEGREE
CELSIUS DURING DAY AND
27-32 DEGREE CELSIUS AT
NIGHT
-WINTER,10-25 DEGREE
CELSIUS DURING DAY AND
4-10 DEGREE CELSIUS AT
NIGHT
 MAIN DESIGN OBJECTIVE
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• APPROPRIATE ORIENTATION AND SHAPE OF BUILDING

• 2.USE OF TREES AS WIND BARRIERS AND PONDDS FOR EVAPORATIVE

COOLING

• 3.ROOF AND WALL INSULATION , THICKER WALLS , AIR LACKS

ANDBALCONIES

• 4.WALL,GLASS SURFACES PROTECTED BY OVERHANGS FINES AND TREES

• 5.EXHAUST ,COURTYARDS , WIND TOWER , ARRANGMENT OF OPENINGS

•
 GENERAL RECOMMENDATION FOR BUILDING
DONEC QUIS NUNC
• In composite climate the orientation of theDESIGN
buildings is preferable in North-East &
South-West Directions.
• Open spaces such as courtyards are
beneficial. Buildings should be grouped in
such a way as to take advantage of
prevailing breezes during the short periods
when air movement is necessary.
• Roofs and external walls should be
constructed of solid masonry or concrete to
have a 9-12 hours time lag in heat
transmission
• Orientation of buildings is determined by 2
factors suitable with so Towards the
breeze prevailing during the warm humid
season to utilize its cooling effect
• The general building materials: Brick &
Stone masonry. Concrete slab , stone wall
of 400-500 mm in thickness.
TEMPERATE
CLIMATE
 DONEC QUIS NUNC
 IN INDIA THIS TYPE OF CLIMATE CAN BE EXPERIENCED IN BANGALURE ,
PUNE ETC

CHARACTERISTCS
TEMPERATURE

-IN SUMMER 30-34 DEGREE CELSIUS DURING DAY AND 17-24 DEGREE
CELSIUS AT NIGHT

-IN WINTER 27-33 DEGREE CELSIUS DURING DAY AND 16 – 18 DEGREE

CELSIUS  AT NIGHT

HUMIDITY -HUMIDITY ISLOW IN WINTER AND SUMMER ,VARYING FROM

20 – 55% AND UPTO 55 – 90% DURING MONSOON

PRECIPITATION IS LOW

SKY CONDITION :- -SKY IS MOSTLY CLEAR WITH OCCASIONAL

PRESENCE OF LOW , DENSE CLOUDS SUMMERS
 MAIN DESIGN OBJECTIVE
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• Keep a balance between

conflicting requirements.
• Seek solar radiation gain in
winter and provide shading in
summer
• Provide wind protection in
winter and proper ventilation in
summer
• Construct "good-natured"
houses, with moderate heat
storage capacity.
• Use medium sized windows
 DESIGN PLANNING/CONCEPT
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• Topography, south sloping preferred.

• Orientation, so as to benefit from the winter
sun.
• Protection from winter winds.
• Form, semi-compact.
• Hazards, floods, landslides and falling rocks
must be considered.
Basic considerations
With conflicting seasonal requirements,
different solutions may be equally appropriate.
The advantages and disadvantages should be
weighed together, considering not the extreme,
but the prevailing climatic conditions.
Buildings can be arranged rather freely.
Settlements should be semi-compact to provide
mutual shelter from wind in the cold season but
also to take advantage of the sun radiation.
Nevertheless, the prevailing breezes in humid
and hot seasons should not be cut off and
sufficient shade should be provided.
 BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• THE BUILDING SHOULD BE

DESIGNED TO REDUSE HEAT
GAIN BY PROVIDING
SHADING AND TO PROMOTE
HEAT LOSS BY VENTILATION

• 2.BUILDING SHOULD HAVE

THICK WALLS WITH HIGH
CELLING ROOMS ,
SURROUNDING BY A SHADE
GIVING VERANDAH

• 3.HIGH CELLINGS REDUCE

THE EFFECT OF HEAT THAT
WOULD RADIATE DOWN
FROM THE ROOF WHICH
WOULD GET HOT UNDER
THE SUN. THIS WILL ALSO
ALLOW THE WARM AIR TO
RISE AND ESCAPE THROUGH
VENTILATION , HIGH UP IN
 GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUILDING
DONEC QUIS NUNC
DESIGN
• In areas of intensive land use buildings
should be located on south slopes, where the
sun exposure is adequate.
• Depressions should be avoided because cold
air accumulates there. Above the bottom of
the valley the microclimate is more
favourable.
• Houses should be located behind a wind
shield, but be assured of exposure to the sun.
This shield can be formed by existing or
newly planted vegetation, by other structures
or by topography.
• Aspects of proper sun orientation and wind
protection should already be considered
while working out the basic pattern of a
settlement.
• An analysis of traditional settlements
provides valuable hints for appropriate
solutions.
COLD CLIMATE
 DONEC QUIS NUNC
• IN INDIA THIS TYPE OF CLIMATE CAN BE EXPERIENCED IN SHIMLA , SHILONG
, SRINAGAR , MAHABALESHWAR ETC.

• CHARACTERISTICS :-
• TEMPERATURE;

• -IN SUMMER, 17 – 24 DEGREE CELSIUS DURING DAY AND 4 – 11 DEGREE

CELSIUS AT NIGHT

• -IN WINTER , 7 – 8 DURING CELSIUS DURING DAY AND 14 – 0 DEGREE CELSIUS

AT NIGHT

• HUMIDITY; -HUMIDITY IS GENERALLY LOW AND RANGES FROM 10 – 50 %

• PRECIPITATION; -PRECIPITATION IS GENERALLY LESS THAN 200 MM PER

YEAR

• SKY CONDITION; -SKY IS FAIRLY CLEAR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH A

CLOUD COVER OF LESS THAN 50 %

• SOLAR RADIATION; -SOLAR RADIATION GENERALLY INTENSE WITH A VERY

LOW PERCENTAGE OF DIFFUSE RADIATION
 MAIN DESIGN OBJECTIVES
DONEC QUIS NUNC

• Increase thermal resistance

• Increase thermal capacity
• Increase buffer spaces
• Decrease air exchange rate Roof
insulation, wall insulation and
double glazing
• Thicker walls
• Air locks / lobbies
• Reduce shading
• Utilize heat from appliances
• Trapping heat
• Orientation and shape of the
building
• Uses of trees as wind barriers.
 DESIGN PLANNING / CONCEPT
DONEC QUIS NUNC

PASSIVE DESIGN
Passive design is design that does not require
mechanical heating or cooling. Buildings that
are passively designed take advantage of natural
energy flows to maintain thermal comfort.
When sunlight strikes a building, the building
materials can reflect, transmit, or absorb the
solar radiation. Additionally, the heat produced
by the sun causes air movement that can be
predictable in designed spaces. These basic
responses to solar heat lead to ;
Passive heating
• Two primary elements of passive solar
heating are -
• South facing glass
• Thermal mass to absorb, store, and
distribute heat
• There are three approaches to passive
systems
• direct gain, and direct gain (trombe wall)
• solated gain.
PASSIVE COOLING
• Passive solar cooling can reduce or even eliminate the need for air
conditioning in homes.
• Cross Ventilation
• Wing Walls
• Thermal Chimney
• Other Ventilating Strategies
 BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
DONEC QUIS NUNC

Vernacular architecture and solar passive

features in cold climatic zone:
(A) thick wall made up of stone blocks,
(B) building in south slopes, receiving the
maximum solar radiation and openings are
smaller in size,
(C) low energy dwellings made up of locally
available materials like bamboo and wood and
floor is elevated from the ground,
(D) low energy dwellings on south slopes to
receive maximum radiation,
(E) floor is raised from the ground,
(F) arrangement of chimney to let the smoke
out from the kitchen and space heating
arrangement. 
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUILDING
DONEC QUIS NUNC
DESIGN
The general recommendations for regions with a cold and cloudy, or cold and
sunny climate are as follows –
ORIENTATION AND PLANFORM
◆ In the cold zones, the buildings must be compact with small S/V ratios . This is
because the lesser the surface area, the lower is the heat loss from the building.
◆ Windows should preferably face south to encourage direct gain.
◆ The north side of the building should be well-insulated. Living areas can be
located on the southern side while utility areas such as stores can be on the
northern side.
◆ Air-lock lobbies at the entrance and exit points of the building reduce heat loss.
◆ The heat generated by appliances in rooms such as kitchens may be recycled to
heat the other parts of the building.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
◆ Roof - False ceilings are a regular roof feature of houses in cold climates. One can also
DONEC QUIS
use internal insulation such as polyurethane foam NUNC
(PUF), thermocol, wood wool, etc. A
sloping roof enables quick drainage of rain water and snow.
◆ Walls - Walls should be of low U-value to resist heat loss. The south-facing walls could
be of high thermal capacity to store day time heat for later use rest of the walls should also
be insulated. Hollow and lightweight concrete blocks are also suitable . On the windward
or north side, a cavity wall can be adopted.
◆ Fenestration - It is advisable to have the maximum window area on the southern side of
the building to facilitate direct heat gain.
They should be sealed and double glazed.
Double glazing helps to avoid heat losses during winter nights
◆ Colour and texture - The external surfaces
of the walls should be dark in colour for high
absorptivity to facilitate heat gains