Climatological Considerations in Architecture

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering climatological concepts, passive design strategies, geographic factors, and relevant key terms in architectural climatology.

Climatology

The scientific study of climate and its patterns.

Consideration

To examine carefully or to observe.

Climatological considerations in architecture

Designing a building according to the climate and environmental conditions of its location.

Wind dynamics

The study of how wind moves and interacts with buildings and the surrounding environment.

Temperature

Degree of hotness or coldness of the surrounding environment that influences indoor thermal comfort and helps determine passive design strategies.

Precipitation

Water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, or hail.

Latitude

Angular distance north or south of the Equator; influences solar exposure and climate.

Longitude

Angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian; helps determine geographic position.

Altitude

Height of a location above sea level; affects temperature, air pressure, and climate.

Insulation

Materials/systems that reduce heat transfer between the interior and exterior of a building.

Electromagnetic wave

A form of energy that travels through space, including sunlight and other electromagnetic radiation.

Microclimate

Climate conditions of a small, specific/localized area that may differ from the surrounding environment, including differences in temperature, wind, and humidity.

Macroclimate

Large-scale climate of a large geographic region such as a country, continent, or ocean basin; describes broad weather patterns, temperature, and moisture.

Building orientation

Positioning the building to control exposure to the sun.

Shading devices

Roof overhangs, louvers, canopies, and trees used to reduce solar heat gain.

Natural ventilation

Allowing air movement to remove excess heat.

Building form

Shaping and arranging spaces to minimize heat gain or heat loss.

Sleet

Precipitation that forms when snow/ice falls through a warmer layer, melts partly, passes through a cold layer, and refreezes into ice pellets.

Hail

Precipitation formed when strong thunderstorm updrafts push droplets upward to freeze, moving up and down to gain ice layers before falling.

Temperature Drop Rule (Altitude)

Temperature drops roughly $6.5^\text{o}\text{C}$ per $1,000\text{ m}$ as altitude increases.

Humidity

Amount of water vapor (invisible water in gas form) present in the air.

Absolute humidity

Total weight of moisture per volume of air at a specific temperature.

Specific humidity

Mass of water vapor in grams per kilogram of air.

Relative humidity

Ratio of actual water vapor to the maximum amount the air can hold.

Topography

Study and mapping of the physical features of a specific land area, including shape, height, and slope.

Body of water

A significant collection of water on Earth's surface that affects temperature regulation, wind/natural ventilation, and humidity.

Water-resistant materials

Materials that help prevent moisture damage in areas exposed to water/high humidity.

Corrosion-resistant materials

Materials that protect structures from saltwater/coastal environments.

Solar radiation

Light and energy from the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Direct solar radiation

Solar radiation that comes directly from the sun.

Diffuse solar radiation

Solar radiation that is scattered by clouds, dust, and gases.

Reflected solar radiation

Solar radiation that bounces off surfaces before reaching a structure.

Monsoon

Large-scale seasonal shift in a region's winds, often producing a very rainy or very dry season.

Amihan

Northeast Monsoon that brings cooler, drier air and generally less rainfall/humidity.

Habagat

Southwest Monsoon that brings warm, humid air, frequent heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms.

GPS

Tool used to determine exact coordinates.

GIS

Tool used to analyze geographic and environmental information.

Topographic maps

Maps that show terrain and elevation.

Sun-path diagrams

Diagrams used to help study solar movement.

Compass

Navigation tool using a magnetized needle to identify magnetic north.

Victor Olgyay

Architectural reference associated with Design with Climate: Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism.

Baruch Givoni

Architectural reference associated with Comfort, Climate Analysis and Building Design Guidelines (1992).

Glenn Murcutt

Architect quoted in the PDF: 'Architecture should respond to the landscape and the climate.'