Environmental Studies –

Lecture – 02
13th Jun 2022

Sun-Path Analysis
Effects on Building Envelope and Daylighting

Ar. Vedvati Datar

History & Background
Different Solar Techniques adapted in the traditional/ vernacular architecture of various
places can be learnt to mould them with modern technology to provide comfort conditions
within living spaces.

In the case of early vernacular architecture, depending on the local climatic conditions,
different construction methods were adapted.

For eg, flats roofs were adapted in hot region but vaulted roofs in hot and dry region, or
high-pitched roofs in wet-temperature and cooler places.

Let us understand –

 Climatic Zones of India

 Comfort Conditions

 Simple Passive techniques

 Advanced Passive Techniques

Climatic Zones of India
Comfort Conditions
Comfort Conditions –

Is that condition of
mind which express
satisfaction with
Thermal environment.
Building Envelope
 Building envelope receives maximum heat through various parts of the building
such as roofs. Walls, openings etc.
 To provide comfortable indoor environment.
 Conservation of energy has reawakened interest in ecologically sustainable
materials process and sources of energy.
 Various concepts of achieving comfort conditions.
 Achieving thermal and visual comfort.
 Solutions against climatically unkind conditions through naturally available
materials.
 Climatic factors that affect design are –
1) Solar Radiation
2) Ambient Temperature
3) Air Humidity
4) Precipitation
5) Wind
6) Sky Condition
Building Envelope – Factors affecting Comfort
1) Solar Radiation – Energy from Sun falling on surface per unit time per unit area
and it is measured in watt per square meter (W/ Sq. Mt.) It changes depending
on topography, latitude, Seasons, Time of Day, Atmospheric conditions etc.
2) Ambient Temperature – It is the temperature of air in shaded (well ventilated)
enclosure and measured in degree Celsius. It depends on wind, local factors such
as heating of ground nocturnal radiation cooling.
3) Air Humidity – Amount of moisture present in the air. It’s a ratio of absolute
vapour pressure to saturated vapour pressure.
4) Precipitation – it’s a form of water as rain, snow or dew.
5) Wind – The movement of air, that is specially from cold air to hot air and it is
measured per second. It’s a major design factor for all architects as it affects
comfort conditions.
6) Sky Condition – It is generally refers to cloud cover in the sky.
SUN-PATH

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
SUN-PATH
Building Envelope – Heat Gain and its control
Heat Gain and passive techniques to reduce it
Heat Conduction. Heat
conduction, also called diffusion,
occurs within a material or
between two materials in contact.
It is the direct microscopic
exchange of kinetic energy of
particles through the boundary
between two systems. When an
object is at a different temperature
from another body or its
surroundings.
Heat Convection. Heat convection depends on motion of mass from one region of space
to another. Heat convection occurs when bulk flow of a fluid (gas or liquid) carries heat
along with the flow of matter in the fluid.

Thermal Radiation. Radiation is heat transfer by electromagnetic radiation, such as

sunshine, with no need for matter to be present in the space between bodies.
Building Envelope – Principles of Solar Passive Design
Solar passive designs involves methods of collecting, storing,
distributing, and controlling thermal energy flow by means of
natural principles of Heat Transfers.

Simple passive design techniques can be used during design

development to ensure comfort conditions within the living /
designed space

 Site Selection
 Building Orientation
 Topography
 Building Envelope
Building Envelope – Simple passive techniques
Roof :
Since roof receives a significant amount of Solar
radiation, the type of roof plays an important
role in modifying heat gain or loss, daylighting
and ventilation.
Shape and materials both play important and
have an effect on the performance of the roof.
The roof can also be used advantageously for
effective ventilation and daylight by incorporating
vents and skylight respectively.
Building Envelope – Simple passive techniques
Building Envelope – Simple passive techniques
Building Envelope
Wall :
Wall constitute a major part of the building envelop and receive a large amount of direct
radiation, depending on whether the need is for Heating or Cooling.

U-Value –Transmission of heat

R-Value – Resistance to thermal flow

R-Value = 1
U-Value

It is estimated that more than 25 % of the heat gain occurs due to conduction by walls.

Walls with low U-values can reduce the cooling load up to 4-6 times compared to
concrete.
Building Envelope
Building Envelope – Simple passive techniques
Building Envelope –

Fenestration :

It is mainly provided for daylighting, ventilation, for heat gain.

Appropriate design of opening and shading device help to keep them in the building.

Positioning of windows shall be done keeping in mind, the tendency of hot air to rise.

The site, shape and orientation of openings affect speed and flow of air in the room/
Building.

Natural light is introduced into the building through glazed openings, skylights and light
selves.

It shall be noted that glazed openings admit solar tradition and hence promote heat gain.
Building Envelope
Light and Shadow
Building Envelope – Simple passive techniques
Shading :

Shading devices block solar radiations on the external surfaces of a building

consequences reducing heat gain.

Since the roof of the building receives maximum amount of radiations, shading it
can reduce the heat gain.

It can be done by movable covers, plant cover, roof garden etc.

Direct Gain – Thermal Storage Wall

- Trombe Wall
- Water Wall
- Solar Chimney assisted
- Passive Heating Devices
- Trans Wall
Building Envelope –
Building Envelope –
Building Envelope
External colours and textures :
Smooth surfaces reflect sunrays, while light shades
have high emissivity hence reduce heat gain.

Rough surfaces promotes self-shading and

Increases the surface for re-radiation thus
reducing heat gain.
Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques
 Thermal Storage Roof/ Roof pond/ Sky-therm

 Roof Radiation trap

 Isolated Gain
• Evaporative Cooling
• Nocturnal Radiation Cooling
• Passive Desiccant Cooling
• Induced Ventilation
• Earth Sheltering
• Wind Tower
• Earth Air Tunnels
• Curved roof & Air-Vents

 Insulation
Building Envelope – Advanced Passive Techniques
Trombe Wall -
 Nocturnal Radiation cooling
Building Envelope
Water
ponding

Water Wall
Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques

Solarium

Dome with Vent

Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques

Solar Radiative Chimney

Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques
Water Ponding
Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques
Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques

Earth Sheltering Wind Tower

Building Envelope – Advanced passive techniques
Building Envelope – Advanced Passive Techniques
Building Envelope – Daylighting
Natural light has a major effect on the way we perceive space and their
function.

Natural light has more pleasing effect due to its variability and subtlety.

Daylighting has a bearing on energy savings.

The ultimate source of daylighting is the sun.

Factors that affect visual comfort inside the building are –

1) Visibility
2) Clarity
3) Glare
4) Window Design
5) Shading
6) Daylighting
Building Envelope – Daylighting
Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation given
off by the Sun.

On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the atmosphere, and the solar radiation is obvious
as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.

Light beams have different wave lengths

The spectrum of visible light ranges from wavelength of 0.00078 mm or 780 nm

(nanometers) to a wavelength of 0.00038 mm (380 nm)
Building Envelope – Daylighting
Daylight is a visible radiation that can reach in three different ways –
1) Direct Sunlight
2) Skylight that is sunlight scattered in the atmosphere
3) Sunlight that is reflected off the ground or other surfaces
Building Envelope – Daylighting
Daylight planning shall be done at the design level for its optimization
within the building

Conceptual Design –
As the building scheme is being created, day lighting design influence
and / or is influenced by basic design decisions such as –
- Building Shape
- Proportions
- Apertures / openings
- Integration and the role of building systems

Design Phase –
The design Façade
Interior finishing
The selection and integration of systems
Building Envelope – Daylighting
Objectives of a good day lighting System –

 The amount of light needed (illuminance/ lux levels)

 Visual Comfort (luminance contrast and glare)

 Psychological Considerations (External view for

perception of time and Day)
Building Envelope – Daylighting
Factors that determine the required illumination in the design space
are –

- How much daylight is available outside

- Surrounding obstructions for daylight penetration in the design

space

- Surroundings that will reflect daylight in the design space

- Orientation of fenestration

- Size of Fenestration

- Design of Shading devices

Building Envelope – Daylighting
Calculating Daylight Factor of any room –

DF = DC + ERC + IRC

DC – Direct Component

ERC – Externally reflected Component

IRC – Internally reflected Component

Building Envelope – Daylighting
Daylighting
Daylighting with reduced Heat Gain
 THANK YOU...........!!

Assignment :

What are the points of consideration for an Architect for

selection of Building Envelope?

Marks – 10 No. (Handwritten Notes with Sketches)