Design of a Self-Shading Mass as a Function of the Latitude for Automatic Seasonal Adjustment

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to propose a simple tool for architects to design a self-shading mass, resulting in an automatic seasonal adjustment, i.e., full shading in summer but allowing solar heat gain in winter, within the low latitudes. Commonly, self-shading masses might have inverted pyramidal forms or inward terracing. But in the proposed design, crystal-like forms are generated on the eastern and western façades and an inward sloping form is generated on the equator-facing façade. Those generated forms are not only used from an aesthetical point of view, as might be done in some contemporary buildings, but also ensuring external shading when needed. The different dimensions of the proposed self-shading mass could be obtained by using a design chart that was previously designed and developed by the author. The obtained dimensions are function of the latitude, indicating the building location, the shading height, indicating the building height and the selected cut-off times, indicating the selected hours of shading. A number of smaller crystalline forms, stacked above each other, could have the same effect in blocking the sun rays as a single large one, which might be essential to overcome the elongated depth or protrusion of a self-shading mass.