Design for the climate (Climate-responsive design)
Introduction
Bioclimatic architecture consists of the design of buildings taking into account climatic conditions, taking advantage of available resources (sun, vegetation, rain, winds, etc.) to reduce environmental impacts, trying to reduce energy consumption. Bioclimatic architecture is closely linked to ecological construction, which refers to structures or construction processes that are environmentally responsible and occupy resources efficiently throughout the life of a construction.[2] It also has an impact on the health of buildings through better thermal comfort, control of CO levels in the interiors, greater lighting and the use of non-toxic construction materials endorsed by environmental declarations.[3].
A bioclimatic home can achieve great savings and even become completely sustainable. Although the construction cost of a building of this type may be higher, it can be profitable, since the increase in the initial cost can be amortized over time by reducing operating costs.[4].
Background
Although it seems like a new concept, it is not; Since always, the so-called popular architecture has had to face the climate by needing the least possible energy support and, by trying to change small details, they have been finding appropriate solutions to the general problem of the climate; Examples of this are the whitewashed houses in Andalusia against the houses with the natural color of the material from the northern plateau of the peninsula, or the facades facing south in the Northern Hemisphere, in order to take advantage of the sunlight. Also the example of chalets in the Alps or rural houses in many parts of the world, as can be seen in the image, can be considered excellent adaptations of rural life to the climate with thermal seasons around the world. In these two types of housing mentioned, the stable on the lower floor served as a heater in winter (due to the heat released by the fermentation of straw and manure or compost) and the animals were taken out in summer to graze, then serving as moderate thermal insulation. In addition, the second floor or attic originally served as a hayloft or hayfield during the winter, which insulates the living area on the first floor from the cold outside. And in Galician rural homes, the exterior access to the first floor where the rooms are located is traditionally designed to avoid frequent passage through the stable.[5].
In the same way that a bioclimatic building seeks to adapt to the climate of the place, users must also have adaptive behavior. It implies that there is a double adaptation, climate and culture, which leads to a modification in the behavior of individuals and over time in cultural habits. Given that contemporary society has adapted to a technology that simplifies the operation of buildings, a bioclimatic building is not always appropriable by its inhabitants.[6].