CONTEXT:

(SITE AND CLIMATE)

 THE BUILDING ENVELOPE
• The envelope of a building is not merely a set of two-
dimensional exterior surfaces
• it is a transition space ( forms the building envelope)
• a “theatre” where the interaction between outdoor forces
and indoor conditions can be watched.
 THESE INTERACTIONS INCLUDE:

(DAYLIGHTING) (SOUND AND WIND) (DEFLECTING OF RAIN)

 ENTRY:
■ Space created in the transition from one environment to another
■ a person will be most aware of the difference between outdoors and indoors

SURFACE SPACE
COMPONENTS OF THE ENVELOPE:
■ -windows
■ -walls
■ - roofs
In terms of function:

■ Filters- represent decisions about how much or what outdoor conditions is to be

admitted they are found in some form in all building envelopes and in all climates,
■ CONNECTORS -are strong indicators that something outside is welcome inside. They
are characteristic of regional architecture in milder climates
■ BARRIERS -are more drastic in the severance of the outdoor-indoor relationship.
They are characteristic of regional architecture in harsh climates. but are also
common to spaces needing a tightly controlled environment (such as auditorium)
 ENVELOPE DESIGN IN TERMS OF:
CLIMATE
■ The Closed Shell - harsh climates (or when unwanted external influences such as
noise or intruding activities abound)
■ conceives of a building's envelope as a closed shell and proceeds to selectively
punch holes in it to make limited and special Contacts with outdoors.
MUD BLOCK (ARID CLIMATE) IGLOO (COLD CLIMATE)
■ The open frame - hot-humid regions (or where external conditions are very close to
the desired internal" ones). begins as an open structural frame with pieces of
building skin selectively added to modify only a few outdoor forces.
THAI STILT HOUSE TENT
■ The open-frame and closed-shell approach to envelope design, when combined with
material availability and influence of local culture, can produce a distinct regional
architecture
 SITE:
Selection options:

usually limited to a few sites within a community Most

commonly, the client has already selected the site before
coming to the architect o discuss the proposed building

the design consideration becomes one of developing

the site and the building as harmoniously as possible to
minimize ultimate energy consumption.
 SITE DEVELOPMENT

■ The two primary energy considerations in the siting of a building are orientation to
the sun and orientation to the wind. Landscaping can also improve performance;
shade trees can seasonally control direct radiation from the sun; ground surfaces
can control reflected radiation, planted ground cover can moderate air temperature
and wind breaks can diminish the force of the wind.