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Architecture and Urban Planning

2020, Vol. 16, Issue 1, pp. 32–40


https://doi.org/10.2478/aup-2020-0006
https://content.sciendo.com
Online ISSN 2255-8764

Building Orientation as the Primary Design


Consideration for Climate Responsive
Architecture in Urban Areas
Alisha Sinha*, RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru, India

Ta ble I
Abstract ‒ Orientation is a design parameter that plays a major role in
climate responsive architecture and helps achieve comfort within the built L ist of R ecom m en ded D esign S olu tions for a Wa r m H u m i d
environment. However, it is difficult to achieve an ideal orientation, espe- C li m at e (I n fer r ed from K oen igsberger [3]) H igh light i ng t h e
Factors which a r e A ffect ed by B u i ldi ng O r i en tation
cially in urban context. The main aim of this paper is to develop alternate
strategies to overcome the challenges faced in designing as per preferred
orientation and then derive a set of tools that can help decide the orienta- Parameter Recommended design features in warm humid regions
tion of a building on site both under normal and congested site conditions.
Thereafter, the inferences from the paper can act as references for choosing
an optimum orientation for placement of buildings in warm humid climate. • Open Plans
It can act as a significant pedagogical guideline for students of architec- • Elongated Building Forms
ture in deciphering solutions for a climate responsive design in a simplified • Single-banked rooms (accessible from galleries)
Form and
manner. The results can also be utilised for future research in formulating • Spread out layouts for multiple buildings1
planning
similar tools for other climatic regions. • Shading of vertical surfaces1
• Broad overhangs1
Keywords ‒ building orientation, climate responsive architecture, light- • Orientation – long axes in the East-West direction1
ing, solar radiation, thermal comfort, vegetation, ventilation, wind.
• Groundcover preferred around the structure to avoid re-
flection1
• Plantation to provide shade1
I ntroduction • Pergolas and light framing with climbers preferred1
• Plantation that can provide deflection of winds towards the
Architectural design is a complex combination of various Vegetation
openings1
processes that integrate to create a functional, habitable, and • Surrounding plants to protect the walls from direct radia-
comfortable built environment. These processes include site tion1
• Deciduous trees can be used to provide shade in summer
planning, form and massing, spatial layout within the structure, and sunlight in winters
façade design and building services. A functional and habitable
building is a combination of these factors implemented in the • Lightweight construction
form of a design solution. However, a comfortable built envi- • A reflective upper surface
Roof
ronment is achieved with consideration of the local context and design
• Double-roof construction can be preferred
surroundings. • Low thermal capacity
• Good resistive insulation of the roof surface
Warm humid climate zones are regions lying in the tropical
belts where heat is the dominant problem. This climate experi-
• Shaded walls: insulation not required1
ences very little seasonal variation throughout the year. Air tem- • Exposed wall/ gable wall: good insulation needed to pre-
peratures remain moderately high and the ranges are very narrow. Wall design
vent increase of inner surface temperature above air tem-
Humidity remains high for most of the time, and so does precipita- perature1
tion [3]. Thus, this type of climate particularly requires sufficient
air movement through the building, as it is the biggest source of • Large and fully openable1
comfort. However, wind speed in these regions is particularly low. • Free from the effect of external obstructions1
Consequently, building design needs to consider orientation and Opening • Air flow not to pass through hot surfaces ( e.g., asphalt) be-
design fore reaching the building1
cross ventilation solutions accordingly, ensuring sufficing breeze • Protection from driving rain, rodents, pests, odour and
penetration into the indoor environment [6] (Table I). noise1
According to Koenigsberger [3], ideal development in warm
humid regions should be less dense than in hot-dry regions for 1
Design solutions driven by orientation
three reasons:
• to allow free movement of air through buildings and
through spaces between buildings; However, in contemporary scenario, this ideal development
• to provide privacy by distance, as walls and screens can- is not feasible due to lack of space and the economics associat-
not be used for this purpose; ed with it.
• many activities carried outdoors.

* Corresponding author. E-mail address: alishasinha09@gmail.com


© 2020 Alisha Sinha. This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), in the
manner agreed with Sciendo.
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Ta ble III
Climate responsive architecture is a result of successful com- Factors C on t r i bu ti ng to C li m at e R esponsi v e
bination of various building design parameters utilized on an D esign [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]
optimum scale to achieve comfortable living conditions within
SPATIAL ECONOMICAL FUNCTIONAL SUSTAINABLE
the built environment. Orientation is always the first criterion for
• Availabili- • Affordability for • Sufficient • Maintenance
placement of the building on site, which modifies the undesirable
ty of space materials, instal- lighting and
effects of natural climatic factors such as solar heat, illumination, for efficient lations ventilation
ventilation, and even noise [8]. Orientation is an objective quan- design, • Cost of mainte- • Structurally
tity (along with building form, shape, wind patterns, and indoor planning, nance and dura- feasible
and inter- bility of design
conditions), that behaves as one of the most important parameters
nal layout solutions
of contextual design [12]. This type of design can be achieved
in several forms, as site-oriented design or climate responsive
design. Achieving a suitable orientation for any building in its I. M ethodology
preliminary design phase is an effective way to achieve passive
cooling, rather than depending on the latter phases for the same. This research designs a set of reference tools to be used for
It represents the relationship between building elevations and the coming up with design considerations like building form and lay-
original geographic direction. Good orientation can effectively out, solar shading devices, and site vegetation using parameters
reduce the need for mechanical systems for heating, cooling, like solar angles and prevailing wind direction. These tools are
and ventilation. It controls the manner in which solar radiation manual and mainly intended for conditions when ideal orienta-
is being received by the facade of a building, and thus alter its tion is not being achieved.
thermal load thereby affecting the thermal comfort of space [2]. The tools are intend to be capable of developing design rec-
While designing, building orientation is influenced by both natu- ommendations for a particular orientation in a particular type of
ral as well as man-made surrounding conditions. Natural factors climatic zone, since ideal orientation cannot be achieved all the
include solar radiation, prevailing winds and associated venti- time. Currently, the derivation of the tools is intended to be for
lation, and atmospheric humidity predominantly. However, the warm humid climate specifically.
effects of ancillary factors like sky conditions and precipitation Fenestration design is not being taken into consideration, as it
cannot be ignored. On the other hand, man-made conditions like magnifies the scope of the research and can be used for further
vegetation, proximity and character of surrounding elements studies. Factors like obstructive elements are not being consid-
also play a significant role in finalizing a suitable orientation in ered because in warm humid regions where shading is more im-
building design. portant than direct sunlight these adjacent elements add to the
An optimal building solution is an efficient amalgamation of comfort levels.
site-oriented and climate responsive design both of which are The tools worked upon are as follows:
heavily dependent on building orientation. A design is said to be • tool for orienting the building form as per solar and wind
site-oriented when most of its dominant characteristics are for- orientation;
mulated out of considerations specific to the site provided and its • tool for designing an ideal shading device for different
surrounding conditions [5] (Table II). facades;
• tool for selecting the appropriate vegetation as per ori-
Ta ble II entation.
Factors E ssen ti a l for C onsi der ation for
a S it e - or i en t ed D esign [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]
II. O r ientation as a B uildi ng D esign Factor
Primary factors Secondary factors
Building orientation refers to its positioning on a site and
Location relatively the placement of its openings, typology of its roofs,
Potential of existing landform Urban landscape
Surroundings Weather and climate and design of its shading devices. The intention of achieving an
Building orientation ideal building orientation is to control the manner in which solar
radiation is being received by the facade of a building:
• to maximize thermal comfort within a built environ-
Climate responsive architecture incorporates design solutions ment [14];
that help reducing the energy load on active lighting and venti- • to minimize energy loads on active systems of lighting,
lation systems within a building. The concept revolves around heating, cooling or ventilation [14].
implementing such features in the design that ensure efficient Building orientation is influenced by both natural as well
passive heating or cooling, and hence a comfortable built envi- as man-made surrounding conditions. Natural factors include
ronment. A successful climate responsive design is complement- solar radiation, prevailing winds and associated ventilation, and
ed by spatial, economical, functional, and sustainable factors [7] atmospheric humidity predominantly. Man-made conditions like
(Table III). vegetation, proximity and character of surrounding elements

33
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

also play a significant role in finalizing a suitable orientation in In case the building does not achieve an ideal orientation
building design [4]. (as per this tool) due to space constraints or other contextual site
The amount of solar radiation falling on sloped surfaces is conditions, the following tools can be used. They can help in
determined by its orientation. It plays an important role in zon- passive solar design and enhance thermal comfort levels within
ing spaces within a site based on their function [9]. Appropriate the building.
building orientation is the most significant aspect for achieving
Ta ble IV
passive solar design.
D esign Pa r a m et ers a n d Factors t h at I n flu ence t h e C li m at e
R esponsi v en ess of B u i lt E n v i ron m en t [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]

Design Detail considerations Challenges in


parameter implementation

Building • Layout type: compact or • Space constraints


form and spread-out
layout • Zoning w.r.t thermal com-
fort
• Buffer zones

Site • Solar angles • Shading from surround-


planning • Prevailing wind direction ing elements and vege-
• Obstructive elements tation
• Vegetation (existing and • Cooling potential of shad-
Fig. 1. Percentage of solar radiation falling on different building surfaces. Pho- planned) ed areas and nearby water
tovoltaic GIS from EU Science Hub [16]. bodies
• Availability of space to
achieve ideal orientation
III. I dea l O r ientation in U r ban A r eas Building • Insulation levels • Cost
envelope • Material selection • Functionality
In urban areas, the comfort level and thermal performance of • Permeability • Structural stability
• Opening design
buildings are affected by various elements in the surroundings
that cast shadow, e.g., vegetation and adjacent buildings. Street
layouts and forms of the surrounding structures, apart from ori-
entation, influence the solar exposure of built structures. These V. Tool for D esigni ng an A ppropr i ate
obstructions put restriction on the amount of solar radiation en- S h a di ng D evice for D iffer ent Faca des for
tering a building through the openings on its skin. O v er heated an d U n dercooled P er iod
The factors playing a key role in achieving comfort levels in
urban areas can be classified into two categories: Any design condition, which cannot provide the ideal build-
• URBAN PARAMETERS ‒ street width, building ori- ing orientation, can achieve comfort levels with fenestration de-
entation; sign [1]. Again, depending on solar radiation and wind direction,
• ARCHITECTURAL PARAMETERS ‒ roof profile and fenestration design has the following components:
form, envelope design (Table IV). • opening orientation;
• opening size;
IV. Tool for O r ienti ng the B uildi ng For m
• energy transmission factor/ solar factor (G-value)
as per S ola r an d Wi n d O r ientation (Table VI):
It is a factor used to evaluate the levels of solar energy input. It
This tool has been designed keeping seven common build- determines how much of the collected solar energy on the surface
ing layout typologies into consideration, namely, rectangular, envelope is transmitted towards the interior. This factor always
square, L-shaped, U-shaped, H-shaped, courtyard, and veran- has a value between 0 and 1, with 0 indicating no solar heat gain
dah layouts (Table V). As the solar orientations are fixed, the and 1 indicating maximum solar heat gain [13]. In warm humid
variations have been considered with respect to changing wind climate, the lower the g-value of a surface the better it performs
directions for each of these layouts. thermally.
This tool can direct a designer towards choosing an ideal
orientation for their building, as per its basic layout in a warm G-value = Total Solar Heat Gain
humid climate, and then plan its spaces within accordingly. It Incident Solar Radiation
needs to be noted that ancillary factors may affect the reliability
of this tool and hence they should not be neglected in this process.

34
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Ta ble V
Tool for O r i en t i ng the B u i ldi ng For m wit h R espect to P r eva i li ng Wi n d D i r ection [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]

Layout Rectangular Square L-shaped U-shaped H-shaped Courtyard Verandah

Prevailing N
wind direction

NE

– –

– –

SE

SW

– – –

NW

– –

Ta ble VI
G-va lu es of D i ffer en t M at er i a ls [15]

Glass type Single glazing Double glazing Triple glazing These devices should be designed in such a way that the solar
G-Value (mm) 0.87 0.78 0.67
radiation is blocked only at those times of the year when over-
heating is a concern [11].
When it is difficult to obtain ideal orientation in urban sce- An exercise was conducted taking an example of Kolkata
narios, (a warm humid region), and the overheated and undercooled pe-
window design + shading design = effective thermal perfor- riods were mapped on the sun path diagram for the city. Further,
mance in warm humid climate. it was analysed with respect to horizontal and vertical solar an-
As fenestration design is an extremely elaborate subject gles, and shading devices were proposed. This is an efficient
in itself, it has not been taken into consideration for this research. manual method for understanding the required specifications for
It can be a further scope for this study. shading device design and can be helpful in practice as well as
The design of shading devices depends on: pedagogy.
• site location;
• orientation of openings.

35
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Ta ble VII
M ea n A m bi en t H ou r ly Tem per at u r e (i n degr ee C elsi us) O v er h eat ed
dem a r ki ng t h e and U n dercooled P er iods [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]
0600 h 0700 h 0800 h 0900 h 1000 h 1100 h 1200 h 1300 h 1400 h 1500 h 1600 h 1700 h 1800 h
J 14 15 16 18 19 22 24 25 26 27 26 26 24
F 17 17 19 20 22 24 27 28 29 30 29 28 27
M 22 22 24 25 27 29 31 33 34 34 34 33 32
A 25 26 27 28 30 32 34 35 36 36 36 35 34
M 27 27 28 29 31 32 34 35 36 36 35 34 33
J 27 27 28 29 31 32 34 35 36 36 35 34 33
J 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 31 32 32 32 31 31
A 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 31 32 32 32 31 31
S 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 32 32 32 32 31 30
O 24 25 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 32 32 31 30
N 19 19 20 22 23 25 27 28 29 30 29 28 27
D 15 15 16 18 20 22 24 26 27 27 27 26 24

Fig. 2. Stereographic Sun path diagram of Kolkata [Figure: Author of the Article].

Ta ble VIII
S ola r S h a di ng D ev ice D esign [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]

Type of Horizontal solar Vertical


Wall Shape of shading Wall angle solar
Solar mask angle Design of shading device
facing SM device azimuth +δ ˗ δ
required (δ2) (δ1) ∞

tan δ = w/d
tan 63.5° = w/d
N Radial Vertical 0° + 63.5° ˗63.5° - 2.005 = w/d
Thus, d = 0.5w

36
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Horizontal
Type of Vertical
solar angle
Wall Shape of shading Wall solar
Solar mask angle Design of shading device
facing SM device azimuth +δ ˗ δ
required (δ2) (δ1) ∞

For Vertical Device (only right


side),
tan δ = w/d
tan 56° = w/d
1.48 = w/d
Thus, d = 0.67w
Radial + Vertical and For Horizontal Device,
NE 45° + 56° - 85°
Crescent Horizontal tan ∞= h/D
tan 85° = h/D
11.4 = h/D
Thus, D = 0.09h,
which is negligible. Hence, it can
be dealt with an internal shading
device.

For Vertical Device,


tan δ1 = w/d1
tan 56° = w/d1
1.48 = w/d1.
Thus, d1 = 0.67w
tan δ2 = w/d2
tan 23° = w/d2
0.42 = w/d2.
Thus, d2 = 2.35w,
Radial + Vertical and which is difficult to design, hence
E 90° + 56° ˗23° 55°
Crescent Horizontal multiple fins can be provided.
Alternatively, another design
solution is to provide a cantilever
or balcony on top of this opening.
For Horizontal Device,
tan ∞ = h/D
tan 55° = h/D
1.43 = h/D.
Thus, D = 0.7h.

For Vertical Device,


tan δ1 = w/d1
tan 72° = w/d1
3.003 = w/d1.
Thus, d1 = 0.33w.
For Horizontal Device,
tan ∞ = h/D
Radial + Vertical and tan 40° = h/D
SE 135° - ˗72° 40°
Crescent Horizontal 0.84 = h/D.
Thus, D = 1.2h, which is difficult
to design, hence multiple fins
can be provided. Alternatively,
another design solution is to
provide a cantilever or balcony
on top of this opening.

For Horizontal Device,


tan ∞ = h/D
tan 42° = h/D
0.9 = h/D.
Thus, D = 1.1h, which is difficult
S Crescent Horizontal 180° - - 42° to design, hence multiple fins
can be provided. Alternatively,
another design solution is to
provide a cantilever or balcony
on top of this opening.

37
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Horizontal Vertical
Type of solar angle
Wall Shape of shading Wall solar
Solar mask angle Design of shading device
facing SM device azimuth +δ ˗ δ
required (δ2) (δ1) ∞

For Vertical Device,


tan δ1 = w/d2
tan 70° = w/d2
2.75 = w/d2.
Thus, d2 = 0.36w.
Radial + Vertical and For Horizontal Device,
SW 225° + 70° - 55°
Crescent Horizontal tan ∞ = h/D
tan 55° = h/D
1.43 = h/D.
Thus, D = 0.7h.

For Vertical Device,


tan δ1 = w/d1
tan 28° = w/d1
0.53 = w/d1.
Thus, d1 = 1.88w,
tan δ2 = w/d2
tan 22° = w/d2
0.40 = w/d2.
W Radial Vertical 270° + 22° ˗28° -
Thus, d2 = 2.5w for which the best
solution is to provide an egg-crate
device, like a jaali, providing
openings from perpendicular
sides.
Alternatively, another design
solution is to provide a cantilever
or balcony on top of this opening.

For Vertical Device (only left


side),
tan δ = w/d
NW Radial Vertical 360° - ˗60° -
tan 60° = w/d
1.73 = w/d
Thus, d1 = 0.58w

38
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Ta ble IX
Tool for S electi ng A ppropr i at e Vegetation as per O r i en tation i n U r ba n A r eas for Wa r m H u m i d C li m at e [A u t hor of t h e A rticle]

Vegetation to be planted

N NE E SE S SW W NW

NE -

E - - -

SE - - -
Wind direction

S - -

SW - -

W - - - -

NW - -

VI. Tool For S electi ng The A ppropr i ate As observed, the three tools function best when they are used
Vegetation A s P er O r ientation I n U r ban in a combination so that they complement each other. However,
A r eas U n der Wa r m H u mid C lim ate
they are not completely dependent on each other for their validi-
Vegetation is a design parameter that can be utilized and moni- ty, and can give design recommendations to create a comfortable
tored by design [10]. It has a huge impact on the comfort levels of built environment as discrete tools themselves.
a building. This tool has been designed to select the most func- These can be beneficial for academicians, students and re-
tional type of vegetation that can be planted in the direction of a searchers in framing architectural solutions for this climate
particular façade. The variations have been shown with respect zone, with respect to the context of their design problem and
to the prevailing wind directions, as in warm humid climate it is the site associated with it. They can act as a quick reference
extremely essential to ensure satisfactory air movement for pas- while designing buildings, spaces, sites, and shading devices.
sive cooling (Table IX). Additionally, they can also be used as a pedagogical tool for
students of architecture to understand climate responsive ar-
C onclusions chitecture better, which is an essential component of designing
sustainable buildings.
Inferring from this research, three manual tools were designed to
suit warm humid climatic conditions. These tools have certain chal-
lenges and opportunities, which are discussed further (Table X).
39
Architecture and Urban Planning
Alisha Sinha, Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas 2020 / 16

Ta ble X. C h a llenges a n d O pport u n it i es of t h e 5. Critchfield, H. J. C. General Climatology. Eastern Economy Editions


D esign ed Tools [A u t hor of t h e A rticle] [Fourth Edition], 1979, pp. 108.
6. Gonzalez Couret, A. D. Chapter 102 - Design Criteria for Warm Humid
Tool Challenges Opportunities Climates: A Case Study. World Renewable Energy Congress VI Renew-
ables: The Energy for the 21st Century World Renewable Energy Con-
Tool for • In case the building • Provides guidelines to gress VI, Brighton, UK, 1–7 July 2000, pp. 534–540.
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7. Krishan, A., Jain, K., Rajgopalan, M. Shelter or Form. In: A. Krishan,
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tool ban climate, thermal comfort and building energy consumption. IC2UHI,
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shading diagram for the given appropriate direc- tecture: The Tongkonan in Toraja, Indonesia. AIZ ITU Journal of Faculty
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as per needed to achieve spe- • Works best when the pean Comission [cited 01.08.2020]. http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps3/
orientation cific results shading devices and pvest.php
• A botanical study of building form corre-
the local plant species spond to recommen-
can strengthen the va- dations Alisha Sinha is an Assistant Professor with RV Col-
lidity of the tool lege of Architecture, Bengaluru. Her work mainly
• The workability of focusses on research in building science. She re-
the recommendations ceived a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from
by this tool may be Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, in 2014, and a
affected by surround- Master’ degree in Architecture (By Research) from
ing elements and con- Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Mumbai, in 2019.
ditions, which have After the completion of her B.Arch. she worked with
not been considered Lebanese design consultancy Dar Al-Handasah for
here; it has been as- about 1.5 years. She was a flooring and cladding
sumed that there is no expert in many high-ended projects. It was there
obstruction/ element that she realized that her interests lie more towards
surrounding the built designing and working on “breathable passive buildings”. Then she got into
structure research related to passive solar design and building science. She has been as-
sociated with academics as a faculty for the past three years, exploring various
The following subjects could not be effectively dealt with in pedagogical techniques in Mumbai, Pune, and presently Bengaluru. She has
this study and provide a relevant scope for future research: been guiding architecture students in conducting effective research under var-
• fenestration design under warm humid climate; ious categories, and has been a coordinator for Regional Students’ Conference
on Research Methodology held at D Y Patil, Pune, in March 2019.
• role of building materials and their response with respect
Alisha has presented her research on building orientation in an International
to orientation; Conference. She publishes her research on different platforms. Her research pa-
• similar simplified tools for other climatic zones. per “Bangla Roofs and the various ‟Chalas” in Bengal Vernacular Architecture”
was published in the Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Tech-
nology (JCEET), Publisher: Krishi Sanskriti Publications, Volume 5, Issue 6,
R efer ences July–September 2018, p-ISSN: 2349–8404. She is currently a part of a research
1. Olgyay, V., Olgyay, A. Solar Control and Shading Devices. Princeton, project as a Financial & Infrastructural Associate on Neighbourhood Effects
New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1957, 201 p. of Migration. Alisha intends to implement innovative pedagogical strategies
2. Olgyay, V. Design With Climate - Biocimatic approach to Architectural that would successfully encourage the application of knowledge to practice.
Regionalism. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1963,
236 p.
3. Koenigsberger, O. H., Ingersoll, T. G., Mayhew, A., Szokolay, S. V.
Manual of tropical Housing And Building : Climatic Design. London: C ontact Data
Longman, 1974, 320 p. Alisha Sinha
4. Givoni, B. Man, Climate and Architecture [Second Edition]. London:
Applied Science Publishers Ud, 1976, 364 p. E-mail: alishasinha09@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6508-4813
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