BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE in association with Landscaping
Bioclimatic is a sector of architecture that dominated by the principles of ecology and sustainability. The term "bioclimatic design" implies design which aims to protect the environment and natural resources. The aim of bioclimatic architecture is to create urban areas and buildings that are designed in order to fully cover their energy requirements without induce environmental damage.
Key elements of bioclimatic building design are passive systems, which are the components of a building. Passive systems operate without mechanical parts or additional power supply and naturally warm and cool buildings. They are divided into three categories:
- Passive solar heating systems
- Passive natural cooling techniques and
- Systems and day lighting techniques
The relation between bioclimatic architecture and landscape architecture
Location
Proper design of the site and the building permits utilization of solar radiation during the cold season and protect the building from overheating by the sun during the hot season. The suitable location of the building construction depends on the climate, the direction of the winds, the presence of trees or other landscaping features, uses and the internal layout of the building.
Reflectivity
In designing the exposed surface soil near the building, should take special care to avoid the use of high-reflectivity materials (cement slabs, asphalt, etc.) and to prefer vegetation with grass or other ground cover plant species which absorb a significant proportion of incident solar radiation and heat.
Orientation
In Mediterranean summer, at the afternoon, the sun is still warm. The west side of a building can be made with small openings, be blind or be protected by appropriate shading (deciduous trees, awnings, plant hedges, etc.). The choice of plant species, the size at maturity, the way of pruning and the exact sitting of solar light trajectory is important for effective protection.
Evergreen vegetation layout can be designed, with a preference for trees with dense foliage in combination with deciduous trees, in order to direct winter winds out of the building while achieving cooling in summer.
Windbreaks
Besides structural materials, plant hedges can be used to control air flow. Shrubs, trees, and the combination of fences with other materials can be used as windbreaks, creating zones of relative calm on the leeward side. The open barriers, such as trees and shrubs provide maximum reduction of wind speed in ratio of their height. The size and shape of the barrier significantly affect the effectiveness of protection. The thinner the element of protection is; the greater the protected zone will be on the leeward side. A key element of the obstacles is the density. Full windbreaks provide an area of calm, but only very close to them, due to the fact that after the obstacle, the wind quickly regains its characteristics. Open windbreaks that consist of trees and shrubs are crossing a part of the wind, which reduces turbulence and create a broader zone of calm.
Analyzes, using simulation programs, give certain features windbreak for best results both in terms of percentage reduction in wind and length of a protected area.
Green roofs
By the term “green roof” is meant a loft that has been converted into a garden, which is grown in controlled conditions with environmental, energy and economic benefits.
By implementing a green roof on the roof of a building reduces significantly the cost of heating the building, because the multi layered stratification reduces heat loss, depending on its thickness. Vegetation as well, acts as extra insulation depending on the coverage and density of foliage.
Simultaneously reduces cooling costs by saving energy, as the temperature inside the building during the summer months, may be kept up to 10-15 degrees below the outside.
Implementing green roofs at the urban web, improves the balance of the ecosystem within cities, creating an excellent microclimate and absorbs a large amount of dust and pollutants. Through photosynthesis, plants produce more oxygen in the atmosphere and reduce carbon dioxide. In this way, the wider ecosystem enhances by helping reduce the "Heat island" phenomenon and the "Greenhouse effect".
Some additional benefits of green roofs are the relief of the sewerage network, the protection of the insulation from mechanical stresses and temperature changes, the aesthetic improvement, the increase of functional areas, the possibility of farming into the urban web, the improved quality of life and the protection of the ecosystem.
Shades
By the proper design and location of a pergola or other shading systems with automation, can be achieved the protection of the building from overheating during the summer.
The choice of bioclimatic design for the building and its surroundings can likely increase the total construction cost, but that can be depreciated by the limited use of units of conventional heating and air conditioning units. Furthermore, the indicators of fertility and living standards will be optimized.
