DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT DWELLIGNS IN COMPOSITE CLIMATE OF INDIA

Abstract

"A penny saved is a penny earned", they said. So with joules of energy! With recent exponential increase in energy pricing, the formerly neglected or under estimated concept of energy efficiency and conservation have swiftly assumed great significance and potential in cutting costs and promoting economic development especially in a developing country scenario. Reckless and unrestrained urbanization, with its hap hazard buildings has bull dozed over the valuable natural resources of energy, water, air and ground cover. Thereby greatly hampering the critical process of eco-friendly habitat development. However it's not too late to retrace our steps. The resource crunch confronting the energy supply sector can still be alleviated by designing and developing our future buildings on the sound concepts of energy efficiency and sustainability. Energy efficiency in buildings can be achieved through a multi-pronged approach involving adoption of bio-climatic architectural principles responsive to the climate of that particular location; use of materials with low embodied energy; reduction of transportation energy; incorporation of efficient structural design; implementation of energy efficient building systems; and effective utilization of renewable energy sources to power the building. India is quite a challenge in this sense. N.K.Bansal and Gernot Minke (1988), in their book titled "Climatic Zones and Rural Housing in India", have classified Indian climate into six zones- cold and sunny, cold and cloudy, warm and humid, hot and dry, composite, and moderate. Translation of bioclimatic architectural principles into design in the Indian context, therefore, provides a plethora of experiences and success stories to learn from. Several buildings have come up, fully or partially adopting the above approach to design. The study is a result of a comprehensive study of some of those dwelling units since the scope of the topic is limited to the design parameters for dwelling units in composite climate only. In today's era of industrialized civilization, we are tending towards the highly sophisticated building. The developed technology in the field of physical comfort is leading us to the period of energy crisis, because the energy sources are not long lasting. Due to the available technology for comfort, like heating, cooling and ventilation systems etc.; architects are generally ignoring the important aspects of architectural design in buildings. This ignorance may lead the society to the grave of slum. Spanning all the areas that come under composite climate, the projects covered here as case studies are selected on the basis of their energy efficient approach to design- be it adoption of low energy construction material and techniques, innovative use of solar passive architectural principles or use of renewable energy systems. Projects not included here are the ones that used some stand-alone renewable energy gadgets/devices without having an integrated approach to whole design. The study will prove to be of interest and of benefit to practicing architects, building designers, scientists, engineers, urban planners, architecture students, municipal authorities, policy makers and concerned citizens.