4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho

(+91) 7249196273 Construction Cost Construction Packages Design Cost Pune

Construction Cost Construction Packages Design Cost

Building Orientation Based On Climatology In India

Introduction:
The placement of any object on earth’s surface is like placing a ball on a slope. Now
where to direct this slope or where the ball should end its movement and hit on
target, is what we call proper orientation according to the function or surroundings.
In this way, orientating the buildings along with the micro climate is what helps to
make a building sustainable enough and not a burden on the environment around.
Orienting buildings is an important criteria but another aspect to keep the interiors
also climate friendly is the orientation of the voids that are the fenestrations and
openings on the structure.

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 1/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho
Orientation of the Solids (Built) and Voids (Fenestration):

The building should respond well with the surroundings and in order to achieve this it
is planned and oriented on site so that it resists various climatic changes around.
The main four climatic zones of India are:

1. Hot and Dry

Also Read : Types of Foundations Used in Building Construction

1. Hot And Dry Regions:

Exterior:

The main criteria here is to minimize the exposure of the built form with the direct
sun in summers. The form of the structure needs to be compact enough to minimize
the surface area it shares with the exterior climate. The shading should be adequate
enough in case of summers and in winters the shade should be transformable
enough to let the sun in.

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 2/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho
The larger building face should face NORTH – SOUTH. Orientation along the west is
never preferred in case of hot and dry climatic regions.

Interior:

1. In case of residential buildings or bungalows the bedrooms are located on the east side whereas
the living room is located on the north or south side.
2. The materials used should be bad at absorbing heat like sun – dried earth bricks and the walls
should be made thick enough to resist heat.
3. Walls of daytime living areas should be made of heat-storing materials. East and west walls
should preferably be shaded. Double walls with insulation in between are a suitable solution. Use
of cavity walls is recommended for bungalows and load bearing structures.
4.  A larger number of windows should be provided in the north façade of the building as compared
to the east, west and south as it receives lesser radiation from the sun throughout the year.
Openings are necessary for natural lighting and ventilation. Windows should be shaded. This can
be achieved either by shading devices, roof overhangs or by deciduous trees. The size of the
windows on the west and east sides should be minimum in order to reduce heat gains into the
house in the early morning and late afternoon.
5. Cooling can be achieved by the evaporation of water, which is by using passive cooling. The
courtyard is designed with proper placement of water and plants, so that it acts as a cooling
source. Internal courtyards provides cross ventilation thus enhancing natural cooling. Thus,
openings should be provided to internal courtyard rather than external walls if possible.
6. Colors used should be heat reflective and flat roofs are recommended to be painted with
reflective colors like white and thatched roofs or roofs exposing lesser surface area to the sun
should be used to reduce the heat gain from top. Minimum number of openings should be
provided on the roofs.

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 3/11
Vegetation:
4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho

1. In hot and dry climate, heat gain is to be minimized. Trees can be used to cut off hot breezes
2. Planting deciduous trees is very useful in hot and dry
3. On site trees also play a major role in orienting and reducing the heat gain of the structure
making it thermally comfortable.

Also Read : Types of Windows – Window Buying Guide

2. Warm And Humid Regions:

Exterior:

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 4/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho

1. The structures planned in such climatic regions need to be oriented away from each other giving
them a clear scope for cross ventilation without any obstructions.
2. Settlements should be placed preferably on southern or northern slopes, generally facing away
from the equator. The warm-humid climate zones are majorly located near the equatorial zones
of the globe.
3. The east – west slopes receive more radiation as compared to north – south slopes, thus the
planning and orientation need to be in such a way they don’t absorb more of warm radiations
from east – west slopes and increase the heat gain.

Interior:

1. Maximum ventilation by providing large openings and clear air flow without obstructions in the
interiors should be provided.
2. Maximum shading should also be provided resisting the direct as well as diffused solar radiations.
3. The roofs used to shelter need to be double layered ventilated.
4. It should be made sure that the cross ventilation throughout the house is maintained so as to
maintain the internal thermal comfort of the structure. 

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 5/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho

5. Heat trapping at corners should be avoided by use of this cross ventilation method as trapped air
will have moisture to wear out the interiors.
6. There need to be provision of windows which open maximum like louvers and if the structure
tends to rise there should be provision of green terraces.

Vegetation:

1. In warm and humid climate, vegetation can be employed to maximize air flow by proper
planning.
2. Tall trees should be provided such that they provide shade as well as do not hinder the air flow.
3. Green cover should be extended on roofs and walls increasing the cooling effect inside along
with reducing the glare and providing filtered air in the interiors.

Moderate Regions:
https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 6/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho
1. A building reacts with the environment through its external façades such as walls, windows,
projections, and roofs, referred to as the building envelope. The envelope acts as a thermal shell
that actually decides the temperature intake from the exterior.
2. In moderate climate, the temperature difference is not that drastic and climate is average that is
it does not reach peak levels or extreme conditions. Thus, the design can be flexible enough to
suite the climatic conditions and well thought on how to reduce het gain and maintain thermal
comfort at a major level.

Cold Regions:
1. In these regions it is preferred to plan and orient houses on the top of the slope and not at the
bottom to avoid the katabatic flow of air.
2. It should be made sure that there is proper cut off ventilation provided to restrict the cold breezes.
3. Vegetation can be provided like evergreen type of foliage but they will also block the sun
radiation which is required in cold regions.

Conclusion:
Thus, orientation according to climatology proves a major point of concern while
planning for buildings and especially small scale projects like bungalows and
apartments. They help to maintain the thermal stability of the structure in both ways
that is interior as well as exterior and reduce the amount of carbon footprint that is
the burden of the structure in the environment.

-By  Kushal Mehta

Subscribe To Our Daily New Article

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 7/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho
Email Address

Subscribe

← Previous Post Next Post →

3 Thoughts On “Building Orientation Based On Climatology In India”

VATSAL MEHTA
APRIL 19, 2017 AT 7:36 PM

Awesome …article.

HAPPHO_ADMIN7
APRIL 20, 2017 AT 8:28 AM

Thanks for your comments

you can post specific question of your interest on our forum,

MURALI
AUGUST 21, 2018 AT 1:43 AM

thankyouuu soo much

Leave A Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 8/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho
Type here..

Name*

Email*

Website

Post Comment »

GET QUOTE

Search

Search … 

Popular Posts

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 9/11
 4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho
Chennai Style House Design January 15, 2019

UPVC Window : Advantages and Disadvantages in House Construction January 10,

Plinth: Its Importance Ideal Height in Residential Buildings January 8, 2019

How to Harvest Rainwater in Your Own Garden January 5, 2019

Designing Bachelor Pads January 3, 2019

Fibre Cement – an Alternative to Natural Wood December 29, 2018

HAPPHO – Partners in realising Happy Homes.

Happho is a portmanteau word made out of happy homes. We are a one stop solution for all construction
needs. Be it interiors, renovation or new construction, we at Happho will provide customers an end to end
solution, thus partnering in realizing their dream homes and lifestyles.

LINKS

 
▶ About Us
▶ Our Team
▶ Careers
▶ Completed Projects
▶ Other Construction Services
▶ Terms and Condition
▶ Policy
▶ Contact Us

Address
https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 10/11
Office No 2, Shri Mangal Pearl Society
4/17/2019 Building Orientation Based on Climatology in India - Happho

Bank of Baroda Lane, Kharadi,

CONTACT

Name

Contact Number

Call Me

Powered by Rhizomatic Web Services

https://happho.com/building-orientation-based-climatology-india/ 11/11