Parametric synergy of passive design elements in cold-cloudy climate zones of north-east India

Abstract

Boundaries of nations and states are not demarcated base on climate characteristics, but the generic application of design elements and materials in contiguous regions with antagonistic climates increase energy needs. Assam-type houses designed for warm-humid climate zones increases heating needs in cold-cloudy zones of North-East India. So, the intuitive and rational analysis of critical building elements parametric synergy is a prescient passive design. The method includes survey and analysis of climate and architectural thermal environment, parametric simulations, and synergy analysis. The studies show the evolution of similar design patterns in antagonistic climate zones. Simulation results shows that the integration of direct passive solar heat gain from moderate glazing area on South and West and indoor heat sources with moderate thermal mass heat storage and high envelope insulation are synergetic while the individual effects of only large glazing areas or only high thermal mass aren’t. The process for finding optimum parameters may be further iterated. Passive design entails intuitive architectural ingenuity base on climate and rational parametric synergy to straddle differences between climate and design elements to improve the design process and energy efficiency.