C O RRE L A T I O N O F

M I C RO C L I M A T E W I T H T H E
P RO D U C T I V I T Y O F U S E R S
INTRODUCTION
Microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding
area. Microclimate is the suite of climatic conditions measured in localized areas near the
earth' s surface (Geiger 1965).
These environmental variables, which include temperature, light, windspeed, and moisture,
have been critical throughout human history, providing meaningful indicators for habitat FACTORS AF F ECTING MICROCLIMATE
selection and other activities. (Chen, Saunders and Crow)
CLIMATE MEASUREMENTS:
Outdoor climate data Indoor climate

• Temperature (outside dry bulb) • light – daylight – artificial light – fixture

• temperature (outside dew-point temp.) • heat

• wind speed and direction • humidity – ambient and in materials

• atmospheric pressure • ventilation

• direct normal solar radiation • acoustics – reverberation – reduction

• diffuse horizontal solar radiation

• AIMS
To design a climate responsive architecture with biophilic design strategies and use passive and active design
principles for the optimal user comfort and productivity.

• OBJECTIVE
The objective of this thesis is:

1. to create a niche for responsible climate responsiveness for optimal user comfort and productivity,
2. to provide efficient ways to cater the indoor and outdoor microclimate which directly impact users’
physical health and mental well-being,
3. to propose the user-oriented and environment friendly design,
4. to reconnect human with nature and earth elements which effects their well-being and productivity.
• PROBLEM STATEMENT
Karachi needs to tackle the problem with the major environmental issues, which affects the living condition
which also engulfed economic hub. Karachi major pollution contributors are transport, industrial emissions,
lack of proper waste management and infrastructure etc.
• HYPOTHESIS
Microclimate plays an important role in creating climate responsive architecture and improve productivity
of the users and their well-being with the help of nature.
• RESEARCH QUESTIONS • SCOPE OF STUDY
1. The current industry practice replicates
Q1. What is Climate responsive architecture? What strategies and opportunities the design without considering
location/site factors, or designers give it
does it provide in creating a climate adaptable building? How can the design the lowest priority, resulting in a bogus
construction.
contribute to microclimates that supports physical well-being? 2. The design can satisfy all the needs
related to people and the community if
Q2. How Biophilic Design reconnects human with nature, how to create a we consider the designs that underlie its
ideology in the transformation of the
balance between nature and architecture? city at the micro level through
implementing the concept of green,
Q3. How can outdoor spaces be designed so that they are thermally relief and integrated designs.
3. It will also elaborate on how
comfortable, how it affects the physical health, mental well-being, and users’ microclimate have effects on the indoors
as well as outdoor spaces which directly
productivity? impacts on the user physical health and
mental well-being, and the parameters of
Q4. How can we achieve building comfort? What type of typology will be design for user-oriented and
environmentally friendly spaces.
feasible of incorporating these concepts which provide maximum benefits to
humans?

• TARGET USER • METHODOLOGIES

RE S E A RC H D E S I G N M E T H O D O L O G Y

The qualitative research method will be used for having

a deeper insight in the topic by getting the background
through various studies and literature in order to
communicate theoretical knowledge with the practical
application.
➢ Documentation and research on the topic via
available literature and theories to generate a better
understanding.
➢ Investigating the national and international level
case studies to understand the spatial dynamics.
➢ Observing and interviewing for gathering data from
locals’ perspective.
➢ Professionals will be approached and interviewed
working in field to understand to ongoing
situation.
 CL I MATE
RE S P O N S I V E
A RC H I T E C T U RE

P A RA M E T E RS O F
CL I MATE
RE S P O N S I V E
A RC H I T E C T U RE
W H AT A R E PA S S I V E D E S I G N S T R AT E G I E S
ACTIVE
DESIGN
SYSTEM

LEED
L E E D e v a l u a t i o n
o f b u i l d i n g s , i t i s
d i v i d e d i n 5 m a i n
a r e a s : e n e r g y a n d
e n v i r o n m e n t ,
i n d o o r q u a l i t y
e n v i r o n m e n t ,
i n n o v a t i o n , w a t e r
t r e a t m e n t a n d
s u s t a i n a b i l i t y o f
t h e s i t e , m a t e r i a l s
a n d u s e d
r e s o u r c e s .
 IMPACT OF M I C RO C L I M A T E O N W O RK E RS ’ H E A L T H

R a p i d r i s e s i n h e a t g a i n d u e t o e x p o s u r e t o h o t t e r t h a n a v e r a g e c o n d i t i o n s c o mp r o m i s e t h e b o d y ' s a b i l i t y t o r e g u l a t e
t e mp e r a t u r e a n d c a n r e s u l t i n a c a s c a d e o f i l l n e s s e s , i n c l u d i n g h e a t c r a mp s , h e a t e x h a u s t i o n , h e a t s t ro k e , a n d
h y p e r t h e r mi a . ( H e a t a n d H e a l t h , 2 0 1 8 )
Wo r k - r e l a t e d f a c t o r s s u c h a s w o r k p r a c t i c e s , w o r k / r e s t c y c l e s , a c c e s s t o w a t e r a n d a c c e s s t o s h a d e / c o o l i n g a n d
other controls should also be considered as impacting on the increase of heat-induced disorders. Another very
i mp o r t a n t f a c t o r t h a t i n f l u e n c e s t h e r ma l s t r e s s i s i n d i v i d u a l s u s c e p t i b i l i t y : a g e ; w e i g h t ; d e g r e e o f p h ys i c a l f i t n e s s ;
degree of acclimatization; metabolism; use of alcohol or drugs; a variety of medical conditions such as
h yp e r t e n s i o n o r t h yr o i d d i s e a s e ; p r i o r h e a t i n j u r y ; a n d t h e t yp e o f c l o t h i n g w o r n . ( C h u n H , 2 0 0 9 )

Q1.
How is your
surrounding space, and
what hinders your work?
FINDING:
people have clear idea about
their surrounding environment,
knows that the clothing is one
of the factors that contributes to
thermal comfort.
ANALYSIS:
to design efficiently, the
placement of workstations
where the environment is well
lit and ventilated, where
openings of the buildings are in
human control.
P R I M A RY R E S E A R C H -
Q U E S T I O N N A I R E F RO M P U B L I C
Q2.
Why do you think that
your performance is
affected by
uncomfortable
temperature?
FINDING: Performance is
affected because increased
humidity makes it difficult to
concentrate on work. In
summers, humidity and rising
temperature affects the speed of
working, in winters, if there is
no proper insulation in the
space, we cannot work
efficiently and feel so numb.
ANALYSIS:
The use of renewable energies
and passive design strategies
Q3.
Is there anything that
should be added in your
workplace surrounding
to make the condition
favorable for you?
FINDING:
Proper workstation and allied
facilities, Fire exist/ emergency
exist and assembly points,
designed Leisure activity zones,
environment friendly , reusable,
adaptive spaces to change
design with need.
ANALYSIS:
Safety precautions and
environment friendly design
Q4.
What are facilities
available in the
workspace to improve
airflow in the
surrounding?
FINDING:
Improvement of microclimate
and better ergonomics of
furniture can be key factor
Natural daylight and ventilation
A good ambiance or experience
Reduce noise pollution,
ambient lighting etc.,
ANALYSIS:
Good ergonomics and posture,
good lighting and air quality,
less noise will improve the
productivity and concentration
 P R I M A RY R E S E A R C H –
Q U E S T I O N N A I R E F RO M E X P E RT S

Q5. Q6.
Q1. Q2. Q4.
Q3. What design problems and What possible typologies of
What are the ways to What can be the alternate How could the workspace
What should the design threats are in today's project needs more attention
treat waste solution of energy, and in be planned that can improve
interventions be considered architecture that are often w.r.t. it’s climate change
byproducts which what ways can we use them users' health and
in the built forms? ignored while designing and impacts and sustainability
affects the environment? more effectively? productivity? execution? concerns?

ANALYSIS: ANALYSIS:
ANALYSIS:
ANALYSIS: ANALYSIS: Efficient reuse of water 1. Industries like
Improvement of Renewable energy Tanneries, Automobile
By using 3Rs’ Proper workstation and microclimate and better
(Reduce, Reuse and ANALYSIS: sources industry and
allied facilities, Fire ergonomics of furniture construction industry,
Recycle), and Solar energy and wind can be key factor Proper disposal or
energy can be used in exist/ emergency exist Textile Industry, Plastic
sustainable design can and assembly points, segregation of garbage
prevent environment the context of Karachi, Natural daylight and and polymer
designed Leisure Recreational facilities
from getting affected. along with passive ventilation for workers 2. Cooperate building
activity zones,
Also, the recycling of design strategies and A good ambiance or like banks, offices etc
environment friendly , Closed and clustered
waste into organic alternate forms of experience 3. Academy like
reusable, adaptive spaces
fertilizers or bio-gas energies University campus,
spaces to change design Reduce noise User Experience and
energies can also be with need. youth facilitation
produced pollution, ambient comfort
lighting etc., centres or technical
Carbon footprint schools etc.

The material, energies
and by-products are to
be recycled to minimize
the pollution and have
clean environment.
Factors involving
productivity like good
The use of renewable Safety precautions and ergonomics keeps the
good posture, good
energies and passive environment friendly
design strategies design lighting and air quality,
less noise will improve
the productivity and
concentration
Filtration plants, grey
water treatments and
These can be the
disposal/segregation of
possible industries that
garbage need to be
can be worked on
catered. User-oriented
design to be proposed.
Q U E S T I O N N A I R E S U RV E Y
Q. Is there anything else that hinders your
work?

• The Dust in the environment as there are no

trees or greenery around that area.

• Workstation Privacy and behaviors of peoples

in the same room.

• Noise levels apart from the humidity

• Mosquitoes

• Smell situated within the microclimate

• Mood

• Our health which is also affected by the

surrounding temperature and climate.

• Hotter temperature has a bad impact on my

health mostly in summers

• Uncomfortable seating.

• Sleeping

Q. How many hours do you spend in your

workspace?

• mostly 8-9 hours

• few 2-7

• 10 hours daily.

• Depends on work nature sometimes 8-10hour

sometime two to three hour
Q. Why do you think that your performance is affected by humidity and
temperature?
• Temperature relates directly with my activeness, alertness, mode and
mindset.
• Humidity causes sweating leading to irritation, it makes excess
sweating and loss of water and energy from our body. Hence, we use
our energy to make ourselves cool which losses our productivity
and performance.
• Thermal comfort affects mental condition, makes you dull, moody,
reduces workability and productivity, and hence concentration
fluctuates while working
• Due to extensive heat the performance of work is affected due to
multiple issues such as sweating, nausea, dehydration etc.
• It affects my physical wellbeing, hydration level and perspiration
levels.
• In summers, humidity and rising temperature affects the speed of
working. In winters, if there is no proper insulation in the space, we
cannot work efficiently and feel so numb.
• heat exhaustion, excessive sweating due to climbing stairs to reach
top floor studio, leads to fatigue and needs more rest
• Air conditioning highly affects your Stimulation of senses. It makes
your thinking as well as physical performance weak.
Q. Why would you like to go there to have some fresh air?
• To take a break and relax
• Fresh air brightens my mood
• Break from the depressing indoor environment of studio
• Because sometimes it gets suffocating in the office
• to refresh myself it can help me to be more productive
• To freshen up
• To relax - smoke
• Because that little staircase area is cooler than the class
• To make thought process productive
• To take a break from noise and crowd
• need a break from work, mentally and physical rest
because we are sitting all day, so there should be some
physical activities as well, so we sometime use bicycle or
play badminton etc.
• Courtyard has the natural environment having neem tree,
so we get the shade and oxygen at the same time but also
prefer a sitting space near our studio which also
surrounded by plants.
• Because sometimes I feel exhausted in laboratory
• Because our university is in a very polluted location and
due to extreme heat climates, we can't sit anywhere
outside the buildings.
• Ac doesn't help with natural ventilation. For this I like to
go out in the balcony and to attain some natural light.
Q. Is there anything that should be added in your workplace surrounding to
make the condition favorable for you?
Green spaces, some indoor plants make it more breathable in terms of
oxygen production which is the refreshment for a human being.
More openings, better layout, clean spaces, comfortable chairs
Noise eradicator, sound absorbers, Air purifiers, coolers,
daylight in space, natural ventilation where it is needed, open wide
corridors and circulation space.
working space in open environments, (Courtyard, atrium)
Better view and more livable space
Air conditioning system
Heaters in winters
A proper working fan, some temperature controlling mechanism. Either
active or passive
Open spaces and glass windows that are not covered with blinds.
Discussion booths, Windows to visually connect with the outside also
makes you feel better and increase productivity.
Electronic gadgets and more electric sockets.
Measures for mosquito control
Gaming area
Nearer markets
File storage
Less people
Windows in the wind direction. Some shading devices on the exterior of
building to cool the inside of the building.
Q. In your opinion, what makes the environment healthy?
• Ventilation and natural light
• Well designed layout and organized spaces and passive measures
• noise free spaces
• Greenery, plants, urban forest, green vines and landscaping, flowers,
• Relaxed productive
• Sustainable use of things and decreasing pollutants
• free of toxins, smoke, and dust.
• water bodies and acoustic panels, smart windows, heat control,
good ergonomics. etc.
• Wide spaces and corridors
• clean air, no trash around, good pest control
• Room temperature, Cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene
• something close to nature for inside environment like aquarium
etc.
 S PAC E D E S I G N
CONSIDERATIONS
CASE STUDIES- A renowned French architect's innovative design transformed the
KU campus into an oasis in the scorching Karachi heat.
ECO CHARD
C A S E S T U DY-
S TA R D E N I M
At Star Denim played vital role in sustainability.
An on-site water treatment plant & solar panel
keep our community and environment safe.
• Biological water treatment plant (capacity of
540 m³/day) designed to reuse up-to 70%
wastewater in the manufacturing process.
• Star Denim has a Solar Plant Grid-Tie System
capacity of 232.80 KW to save the
environment which is linked with Electrical
system to support electrical energy utilization
in over all company.
• Strengths of orientation and layout is used in
maximum advantage of Karachi Westerly winds,
with linearity of form, and lofty mass of core
for effective ventilation where exhaust happens
naturally for panels batteries platform which is
connected to solar panels.
 EXPERT INTERVIEW
Ar. Fareeda Ghaffar
• Discussed how the sustainability factors can be incorporated in any building. We can use renewable energies to our use and incorporate
systems for the reuse and recycling of sources. The water treatment plants, solar panels, and natural light and ventilation can be smartly
achieved through design, site orientation and passive design strategies. Proper designed fire exits, and multiple doors access of the
buildings makes the circulation space more organized.
• Not only the design, but we need to consider stakeholder opinions too, the laws and policies.
• The possible leads can be Corporate Buildings, schools, banks, or industries. Case study for industry can be the Star Denim because it
created a niche for responsible climate responsiveness and use of passive energy for optimal user comfort.

Ar. Fariha Amjad Ubaid

• Discuss about the rationality and efficiency of the building, and the productivity of people because of the ways spaces are designed. The
interesting way would be to study about German and Swiss concepts of rationality, dynamics of machine and man as symbiosis.
• From the literature, the adjectives should be extracted, which leads to building form, innovation, functions in architecture, this will also
tell the land use of the site where new models can be proposed, and the efficient construction aspects etc.
• The possible outcomes can be Techno Park ( in campus industrial zone), Technology parks and Academies. Look into LEED certified
projects.

Dr. Fouzia Parveen

• Stress reduction through green spaces and the time period of when you feel good in the space matters. Green spaces will highlight the
time of walk and its duration, the views (windows, corridors etc.), light and shadows into spaces, and how active participation of people
is in the green spaces.
• Activity of gardening, urban farming, food production on the site, boost in engagement, interaction and reconnection with nature.
• The productivity of the users is dependent on not only its environment, ergonomics, health concerns, and thermal comfort, but also the
setting of spaces, like outdoor space learning and outdoor physical activity can be the design challenge.
• The strategies of biophilic design can be implemented in the built form where the senses of human enhances (touch, sound, sight,
smell, and taste).
• The possible outcomes can be academia where the achievement proving of the hypothesis is high, as Karachi Context is in dire need of
green spaces which enhances the productivity of the people there as well as for the community.