SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN FOR KERALA STATE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Abstract

This thesis examines the possibilities of solving a share of energy shortage in the south Indian State of Kerala by appropriate intervention through architecture. Since almost 40% of the State's energy use is consumed by the domestic sector, any saving in this area would have a substantial impact on the State's energy crisis. In doing so, it identifies two basic areas where energy efficiency can be achieved in building construction, namely: 1. By reducing the need of energy intensive active means of thermal comfort altogether, if not completely at least partially, by the integration of passive systems into the building design which are suitable for the warm-humid climate of Kerala and 2. By constructing the buildings with low energy and locally available materials. The traditional vernacular passive design techniques, practices and the materials used are documented and analyzed through selected case studies and compared to the conventional buildings to understand the underlying principles and the pros and cons of both types. Furthermore, the most used construction materials of Kerala are identified and analysed for their environmental and energy efficiency properties to find out the potential low energy and locally available materials of the State. Thesis arrives at the proposition that the architectural features in the traditional domestic architecture of Kerala, as evident from the case studies, was the result of conscious designing and constructional practices for achieving thermal comfort. In the end it proposes some guide lines, or thump rules, to any architect/ builder for designing/ constructing a better energy efficient building on this particular geographical area. iii